Lori Duff Writes

Back a thousand years ago when I had small, adorable children I managed to send out holiday cards.  I used templates to stick in pictures of the Dufflets, the world’s most adorable children, and a saved list of holiday address labels to stick on the front of envelopes.

Then, people moved and the address labels weren’t any good. People got married and/or divorced and I had no idea what their last names were anymore. My children refused to let me photograph them without them scowling or flipping a bird.  Then they moved away and weren’t physically present for me to photograph at all. Time, I swear, began to speed up and when I started to think, “Huh, I ought to start getting holiday cards together” it was already December 27^th. 

It’s gotten to the point where I think really hard about my friends and family and hope that I’m thinking so loudly they can hear it.

Honestly, it’s the best I can manage.

I’m truly impressed by people who successfully get holiday cards out.  Doubly impressed by people who manage to include a detailed holiday letter along with the card. Triply awed by people who manage personal notes in addition to it all.  You are my heroes.

Part of the problem I have is that I don’t know what to say. There’s a fine balance between letting you know about all of the awesome things that have happened this year (bragging/brightening your day with good news) and all of the awful things that have happened (whining/keeping you in the loop). I want to tell you where I’ve travelled, but I also don’t want you to be hurt that we didn’t call you while we were there because it was a whirlwind business trip with no room for potty breaks, much less time to see old, dear friends and relatives.  

I’m so socially awkward I’d rather do nothing than offend. At least if you’re reading this, I know you’ve taken some action (signed up, clicked) to indicate that you have some interest in reading my words, I haven’t invaded your home via postal service.

So just know this:

Whatever you’re celebrating, even if it’s just the peace and joy of not having the pressure of a major holiday, I want you to be happy. I wish you and yours well with all the frenetic fever of a field of dandelion seeds. Don’t let my frazzled silence allow you to imagine that your presence isn’t active in my head. I’m a crappy friend, sure, but I think about you all the time. If it’s the thought that counts, I get all the counting.

Merry happy joyful whatever my friend. Whether or not I get a card from you, I’ll assume you’re thinking about me, because I can’t prove you’re not.

Also? Buy my book. That will make me happy.

Lori Duff

Lori B. Duff is an award-winning author who practices law on the side.  Her latest book, “If You Did What I Asked in the First Place” was awarded the Gold Medal for humor in the Foreword INDIES awards in 2019. You can follow her on Twitter at @LoriBDuff and on Facebook. For more blogs written by Lori, click here. For more information about Lori in general, click here. If you want Lori to do your writing for you, click here. If you want Lori to help you market your book, click here.