Rainy Day Reflections

There are signs that the year is coming to an end: the stores have unveiled their Christmas decorations; the persimmons are falling from the trees; mikan tangerines are in season; and the post office delivers obituary notices. We traditionally send New Year's greetings to all of our friends, relatives, acquaintances and associates from years past. However, if someone has died during the year and you weren't informed, it would be horrible to automatically address a New Year's card to them, so the family sends out announcements in November/December to make sure you don't include the deceased on your greeting cards list. It seems odd to me but considering that some people have hundreds of names on their list, it is a welcomed courtesy. Now that we are aging too, the number of cards seems to increase every year. Just yesterday my husband learned that the lady who boarded him during college had died earlier this year. A few more postcards arrived today, on this gloomy gray day, just a reminder of how time has passed.