s he needed and never understood the need to “stock up”. His only indulgence was his great love of books. These cards and notes had clearly meant the world to him.

My life is a little slower now. I still put in 12 hour days (not 16) but I take time to spend with my family and friends. I make more of an effort to stay connected with people I love and t

Do you remember how you felt the last time you received a card with a handwritten message? Do you remember the last time you received one?

Even though I have always understood the power a handwritten note has on the recipient, it never really struck home until my father's sudden death. It will be 3 years next month. My life, probably like yours, has always been busy. For many years I worked full time and ran a full time business besides. Social time always took a back burner. And I am ashamed to say - so did my family life. Living 7000 kms away from your family can make the disconnect easier. A phone call once a week if I was not too exhausted and greeting cards on major holidays like birthdays and Christmas. Even those were often late.

As I was preparing to fly home to his funeral I found an unsent Father’s Day card on the top of my desk. Father’s day was a month before. I felt guilty that I had not taken the time to even sign my name and stick it in the mail. Those feelings were nothing compared to what I would feel a few months later. We were packing up his home and in the corner of his bureau I found a neat stack of cards he had received from us (his daughters) over the years. Birthdays and Holidays. All I could think was how much bigger that stack should have been. It was such a little thing to do – send a card.

My father was a quiet, reserved man who lived a very simple life. He kept only the things he needed and never understood the need to “stock up”. His only indulgence was his great love of books. These cards and notes had clearly meant the world to him.

My life is a little slower now. I still put in 12 hour days (not 16) but I take time to spend with my family and friends. I make more of an effort to stay connected with people I love and te

ays been busy. For many years I worked full time and ran a full time business besides. Social time always took a back burner. And I am ashamed to say - so did my family life. Living 7000 kms away from your family can make the disconnect easier. A phone call once a week if I was not too exhausted and greeting cards on major holidays like birthdays and Christmas. Even those were often late.

As I was preparing to fly home to his funeral I found an unsent Father’s Day card on the top of my desk. Father’s day was a month before. I felt guilty that I had not taken the time to even sign my name and stick it in the mail. Those feelings were nothing compared to what I would feel a few months later. We were packing up his home and in the corner of his bureau I found a neat stack of cards he had received from us (his daughters) over the years. Birthdays and Holidays. All I could think was how much bigger that stack should have been. It was such a little thing to do – send a card.

My father was a quiet, reserved man who lived a very simple life. He kept only the things he needed and never understood the need to “stock up”. His only indulgence was his great love of books. These cards and notes had clearly meant the world to him.

My life is a little slower now. I still put in 12 hour days (not 16) but I take time to spend with my family and friends. I make more of an effort to stay connected with people I love and t

. Even those were often late.

As I was preparing to fly home to his funeral I found an unsent Father’s Day card on the top of my desk. Father’s day was a month before. I felt guilty that I had not taken the time to even sign my name and stick it in the mail. Those feelings were nothing compared to what I would feel a few months later. We were packing up his home and in the corner of his bureau I found a neat stack of cards he had received from us (his daughters) over the years. Birthdays and Holidays. All I could think was how much bigger that stack should have been. It was such a little thing to do – send a card.

My father was a quiet, reserved man who lived a very simple life. He kept only the things he needed and never understood the need to “stock up”. His only indulgence was his great love of books. These cards and notes had clearly meant the world to him.

My life is a little slower now. I still put in 12 hour days (not 16) but I take time to spend with my family and friends. I make more of an effort to stay connected with people I love and t

his home and in the corner of his bureau I found a neat stack of cards he had received from us (his daughters) over the years. Birthdays and Holidays. All I could think was how much bigger that stack should have been. It was such a little thing to do – send a card.

My father was a quiet, reserved man who lived a very simple life. He kept only the things he needed and never understood the need to “stock up”. His only indulgence was his great love of books. These cards and notes had clearly meant the world to him.

My life is a little slower now. I still put in 12 hour days (not 16) but I take time to spend with my family and friends. I make more of an effort to stay connected with people I love and t

s he needed and never understood the need to “stock up”. His only indulgence was his great love of books. These cards and notes had clearly meant the world to him.

My life is a little slower now. I still put in 12 hour days (not 16) but I take time to spend with my family and friends. I make more of an effort to stay connected with people I love and tell them as often as I can. I appreciate those connections so much more. I believe my father watches over me and guides me from a higher place.

A few months ago I found an online system that allows me to create, write and send personalized handwritten (yes, my handwriting) greeting cards. I truly believe it was my father at work that connected me to it. Now keeping in touch is as simple as sending an email. The system even mails the cards for you. Now the people I love the most get personalized cards from me on every holiday. No stress, type a personal note and a click of the mouse. It is truly a blessing for me.

By the time you are reading this article it may be too late to get a card to someone for Father’s Day, however, it’s not to late to send one to someone just because.

Enjoy each day for the blessing it is and hug someone you love...