by Francis Jock

Created on: May 08, 2008   Last Updated: March 03, 2010

When it comes to learning how to recycle or reuse everything from pencils to Christmas cards, Sister Mary is the all-time champion of all. Chewed up #2 pencils were picked up wherever they were found, carefully cleaned and then put into the storage closet equipped for the purpose with dozens of waiting bins, cans and jars. Into this assembly of overfilled collectors also went discarded or perhaps lost pens, felt tipped markers, rubber bands and paper clips, rulers and just about anything else that others might otherwise toss away. Someone who understands the value of recycling and ahead of her time, Sister Mary even saves her Christmas Cards for the future.

As a result of her thriftiness, Christmas has a special meaning around our house. Along with the arrival of cold weather, show showers and the crackle of the Yule log, Christmas is the time of year when we look forward to the annual greeting card shower. Among all the cards bearing timeless messages of spiritual birth, seasonal beauty and cheery greeting there is one special card that we look forward to receiving the most. A unique gift from a treasured friend and teacher, Sister Mary's recycled cards bear much more than a commercial greeting and a signature.

Sister Mary always sends a recycled greeting card, one that she has carefully reconstructed from hundreds of cards that she has received from her friends and family over the years. There must be thousands for her to choose from, yet every recycled card is always fresh with love and a message about her adventures of the year before.

Her recycling technique is simple and straightforward. Simply cut off the greeting half of the card, leaving about a half an inch or so beyond the center crease. The half inch now becomes the backing for a fresh message board made from a fresh piece of card stock cut to the proper size. The card stock is carefully glued in place and a warm Christmas greeting is carefully hand written upon its face.

Sister Mary never copies a greeting from another card; every one is original and conveys the true meaning of the season. The newly recycled Christmas card, bearing the year's greeting and a newsy, yet brief message is then sent out to each and everyone on her list. Every card is a treasure to keep, always unique and selected with care from her personal collection.

Over the years, Sister Mary's Christmas cards have earned a special place in our collection of cards. Her creativity and belief in the value of everyday thing have made her unique among all our friends. When the season arrives this year, we will once again look forward to receiving a personal message of genuine love for the world, the best gift ever. Like her, we will also recycle the cards we receive, but not her recycled Christmas cards.

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