When we lived in Nashville, I offered to be the Room Mother for Sam's kindergarten class. His teacher was a "proper" Southern woman, (she insisted that all the students answered her with "Yes, Ma'am" or "No, Ma'am"), so she gave me a "proper" gift to thank me at the end of the year. She had ordered a box of personal stationery for me. I was confused about this sort of gift being ordered for someone else. I guess I thought personal stationery was supposed to be, well, personal. So I was quite surprised to open the beautiful wrapping and find a box of note cards that all said "Michelle" very boldly on the front.
I have always been a bit reluctant to use these notes because sending a note to someone with my name emblazoned in bright blue on the front seemed very vain to me. It's not the sort of thing I would have printed for myself.
Not that I am against personal stationery--not at all. I have a friend who has sent me lovely thoughts on a note card with a pastel border, some demure flowers and a dainty letter "S" on the front. Somehow that doesn't strike me as conceited. But these "Michelle" notes just rub me wrong. My name is not printed in a font I ever would have chosen. I suppose if I made it over-the-top with my name in silver glittery letters in syrupy script, it would announce, "Dahling, this faaabulous note is from faaabulous Moi!" But bright blue ugly-fonted letters just make me think I'm making a statement like "So, this note is from me, and whether or not you think so, I think I'm somebody, sort of, so...so read this note and don't think it's not from me. Because it is. That's "Michelle". Y'know...Michelle? And it's in blue, for...true blue...like true blue friends 'cause that's what we are...Oh, whatever! Read the stupid note!"
I know that it's a bit batty to think people would read so much into what thank you notes I choose to send, but I think that your personal stationery is a reflection of you. Because it's personal. Y'know...unless it's not personal because you didn't personally order it for your...own...person. I mean yourself. Oh, whatever!
3 comments:
OK - so I knew you didn't pick the card. But, "heavens to Betsy" I didn't read all of that into it. I was just excited about the card! (and the contents of the package!)
Mich-
Don't you remember the silly thank you cards you sent after you got married that had your name on the front. Just think of it as a semi formal thank you to misc. people, teachers, bus drivers, etc. Or use them as notes for various things that aren't even thank yous. Send them to old people, they love that kind of stuff. And if you do send it to your close friends, they have read the blog and understand so it doesn't matter anymore. Know what I mean?
So enjoyed your entry. And I didn't think anything of it when I got your note - I was just glad to get some personal, real mail.
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