If we start looking at our time in this electronic age, starting with the telephone, most of us can remember saying something like, "Oh. I'm so sorry I missed you, but, the line was busy." Or "I really meant to call, but I was traveling and just couldn't find a phone." This changed to, "Oh, I couldn't get to my typewriter." The typewriter quickly became the fax machine, which in turn became the computer. Now we can hear people say, "You don't have an email address. I'm sorry, but I send all my holiday greetings electronically. It's sooo easy."

Yes, isn't it wonderful to be one of fifty or more names on someone's "Personal Mailing List." Everyone getting the same personal message. Not too personal though. It is going on the Internet and Billy Bob, Mary Louise and Uncle Jack are getting copies of it and we don't want to tell them too much. You know how they are.

It is important to not forget the real reason we are sending the messages. Let's not lose sight of those we are writing to and why. Yes, Aunt Martha has that program that enlarges text so she can see it and read it, but heck, she does so love flowers and your kiss on her neck. Uncle George does give Rudolph a real good show with his shiny red nose and his tippy tip toe, but his hugs are so warm that you can never get cold. You can smell Grandpa's pipe all the way from the shed in the snow, but when he comes in, he's where you go. And there's Bill in the corner all stuffy and grump, no one knows that it really hurts for him to stand up. Be sure to remember he made the effort to be here, eight hundred miles-all in third gear.

While sitting here writing, I've suddenly got guilt. My cup's overflowing, it's full to the hilt. And can you believe it? The poinsettia is starting to wilt! I've just realized I've got chores by the ton and each one of them is a whole load of fun.

See you next year.