Greeting cards

I never really understood the fascination with greeting cards.

It’s easier and cheaper to say happy birthday in person or over text.

Why would I leave my routine and spend money on a message I can convey for free over text?

But then I compared and contrasted.

A verbal happy birthday can easily be forgotten.

A text is quickly buried by more recent conversation.

But a card is hung up on a string, or pinned to the fridge or stood up on a window sill.

It is a constant physical reminder of thought, effort, and care.