Some people write really profound things on LinkedIn. And I admire that. I think I occasionally have a profound thought, but I’m not sure I ever share it. Maybe I’ll work on that. Maybe I won’t.
But here is the stray thought I had today. My mom showed me she loved me in so many ways, but one strikes me today that I miss.
About once a week from my college years until she became obsessed with her computer in the mid-aughts, my mom would send me an envelope stuffed with newspaper clippings and cartoons, Scotch-taped within an inch of its life. I would open it, flip through the jaggedly torn items, smile, maybe scratch my head over a few pieces that had uniquely scribbled notations, and then call her. I always would call her. If I didn’t, she would call ME obsessively and ask, “Did you get the envelope?”
Kind of drove me crazy at the time. But I miss it now. But the observation I make from this is that I use social media much the way she used those newspaper clippings. Sharing a random grab bag of memes and articles and photos to stay connected with people I care about and to show them I love them.
So if you find yourself unlucky/fortunate enough (you pick!) to be connected with me on social media, know this is my love language. And it comes from a long line of colorful Southern women who clipped cartoons and zany items from the newspaper. Ah, newsprint. I miss that too.
My mom did this, my grandmother did this, my aunts did this. And I suspect many many others in our family tree did as well.
You’re welcome. And if your love language is writing thoughtful essays on LinkedIn, well, I see you, I appreciate you, and game meets game. And if you haven’t discovered your love language yet, give it a go. It will make this world a better place.
Sending love! Literally.