The decade has not started well for the world.
I have begun a dozen blogs in the last couple of weeks. Somehow, they all seemed trivial under the current circumstances. On the other hand, I'll probably finish them since any distraction or form of levity these days is not a bad thing. Everyone who is alive right now, 2020, knows of course that I'm speaking about the coronavirus and self isolation.
I had already decided that Time magazine won't have to search far for its "person of the year". Groups of people and inanimate objects have been selected in the past. Since the "ebola fighters" were picked in 2014, wouldn't the coronavirus workers be the obvious choice for this year? There are so many dedicated and essential people on the job right now, and what greater news story is there likely to be this year than entire countries being shut down from this virus? And yet, there are those that work tirelessly to help others and try to maintain a sense of normalcy.
There's a beautiful video created by children that says it all.
https://www.facebook.com/hometownharpist/videos/517487039192560/
What about the word of the year? I can't imagine anything much different than "social distancing".
I recently watched the movie "Contagion" on Netflix. As movies do, it moved quickly and skimmed the surface of what happens when there's a world wide spread of a disease. After all, there's only so much you can squeeze into two hours. I did however, find it interesting that much of the movie looked like current news reports. It demonstrated the rapid spread throughout communities, the front line workers trying to save lives, the endless deaths, scientists' attempts to create vaccines, fraudsters taking advantage of a desperate population, and ensuing chaos in society. I was surprised that some of the terminology coined in this movie, is what is is currently being used by us all.
So that's about all I have to say on the topic at this time. I have nothing much to add as we are bombarded with news reports and horror stories daily. My last comment is simply this...I am proud of the country in which we live, and how things are being handled. Our prime minister is doing a fine job with daily morning updates to reassure a frightened population in a calm, straightforward, and respectful manner.
Stay well, my friends. The rest of my blogs will contain updates on activities during my recent weeks in captivity.
Showing posts with label thank you. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thank you. Show all posts
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Thank You. That's All I Need to Say or Hear.
As I sit here writing a thank you card, I have to wonder how many people actually still do this on a regular basis. This particular card is not for any kind of a celebratory present, although I certainly consider his efforts a gift. It's for someone deserving who has been extremely helpful to me over the past six months, going above and beyond his basic job description. After all, we all like to be recognized and know that we're appreciated don't we?
I'm not saying that people can't forget, or that occasionally, there might be an oversight when it comes to thank you responses. It just doesn't seem the same as it once was.
I recently found notes my children wrote to their grandparents thanking them for a variety of reasons....grandma's delicious capon, a shared experience, a gift. I taught them from young on to be grateful. The number of times they still do this in the form of a card or note is probably much more limited these days. What I do know is that they at least know how to say the words, "Thank you." Whether it's in person, on social media, in an email, or texting, they say, "Thank you."
One thing specificlly that occurred to me is how weddings have changed over the years. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with how they've changed, they're just different in so many ways.
At one time, people would receive an invitation, respond whether they could attend or not using the little pre-stamped card inside, purchase and wrap a gift, dress up nicely, attend the wedding. The first thing after the bride and groom would do after all the festivities ended, was write a little note of thanks to everyone. Sometimes, it would take up to a month if they waited for a photo or specialty card from the overpriced photographer. I've read in Miss Etiquette that up to a year is even acceptable.
Not so anymore. I speak from experience when I say that this has changed a lot. First, a "save the date" notice arrives. Later, there's an invitation in some form or other. Often there's some kind of online information which gives you details of the wedding, the venue, the ability to respond as to whether you're coming, and what to buy from the happy couple's wish list. There are pages of merchandise, prices, and stores for your online shopping and shipping convenience. In fact, you can purchase the item, have it sent to them, and never find out if it arrived.
Gone are the days of tirelessly handwriting thank you cards, with or without a photo of the bride and groom. Gone are the days of carefully selecting and wrapping gifts. Gone are the days of acknowledgment as to whether the present has been received. Gone too are the thank yous, either written or verbal. Not gone however, is the credit card receipt for payment of said gift, which we can only hope got to its intended location.
I'm not saying that people can't forget, or that occasionally, there might be an oversight when it comes to thank you responses. It just doesn't seem the same as it once was.
I recently found notes my children wrote to their grandparents thanking them for a variety of reasons....grandma's delicious capon, a shared experience, a gift. I taught them from young on to be grateful. The number of times they still do this in the form of a card or note is probably much more limited these days. What I do know is that they at least know how to say the words, "Thank you." Whether it's in person, on social media, in an email, or texting, they say, "Thank you."
One thing specificlly that occurred to me is how weddings have changed over the years. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with how they've changed, they're just different in so many ways.
At one time, people would receive an invitation, respond whether they could attend or not using the little pre-stamped card inside, purchase and wrap a gift, dress up nicely, attend the wedding. The first thing after the bride and groom would do after all the festivities ended, was write a little note of thanks to everyone. Sometimes, it would take up to a month if they waited for a photo or specialty card from the overpriced photographer. I've read in Miss Etiquette that up to a year is even acceptable.
Not so anymore. I speak from experience when I say that this has changed a lot. First, a "save the date" notice arrives. Later, there's an invitation in some form or other. Often there's some kind of online information which gives you details of the wedding, the venue, the ability to respond as to whether you're coming, and what to buy from the happy couple's wish list. There are pages of merchandise, prices, and stores for your online shopping and shipping convenience. In fact, you can purchase the item, have it sent to them, and never find out if it arrived.
Gone are the days of tirelessly handwriting thank you cards, with or without a photo of the bride and groom. Gone are the days of carefully selecting and wrapping gifts. Gone are the days of acknowledgment as to whether the present has been received. Gone too are the thank yous, either written or verbal. Not gone however, is the credit card receipt for payment of said gift, which we can only hope got to its intended location.
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