Aunt Shirley loved postage stamps. Especially the Christmas ones. Every year she would gift her nieces and nephews a collection of holiday stamps.
She meticulously searched for and collected the stamps, chronicling which ones she still needed to get and how many she had already aquired.
curated stamps with care
It was an unexpected surprise when I was generously gifted many of these Christmas stamps. To honor Aunt Shirley’s memory I wanted to share the story of her love of postage stamps with you.
It was like discovering tiny treasures as I opened the stack of envelopes each containing thoughtfully curated Christmas stamps. Often Aunt Shirley would colour code notes for herself in the most beautiful cursive writing.
a well lived life
It will be two years this December that Aunt Shirley passed away. She was from Manitoba, Canada, and I’m told she had a very active life of art, travel, public speaking, continuing education and fine restaurants.* Sounds like a woman after my own heart.
stamps that keep on giving
What will I do with these stamps, you ask? Two things, both of which have been met with approval from Aunt Shirley’s family. I will use the stamps at my Christmas Letter Writing Socials.
The stamps will also be used in a mini post office I help run in two local homeless shelters as part of MakeItMerry. The clients of these shelters will be able to use these stamps to mail a Christmas card.
Aunt Shirley’s legacy will live on, as joy and love are sent through the mail using her stamps this Christmas.
*from Shirley’s obituary 2017
Stamps are the best! I love going to the post office and searching the new releases and buying whole sheets. It’s like having a barn full of hay. That sense of security and the beautiful sight of “plenty”. Aunt Shirley has beautiful handwriting. I love seeing the thought and organization and care she used for her hobby and that she shared her bounty with family. And, looking ahead….I DO send Christmas cards. My list is updated and I just need to decide on some photos and my card.
One of my favorite things about seeing Aunt Shirley’s collection of Christmas stamps was seeing her beautiful cursive handwriting. Just so beautiful. It reminded me of my Nana’s handwriting. Your Christmas card list ready, Melanie? When do you start sending?
That’s so great! I love the stamps, and even more the idea that someone cherished them.
Me too! Wasn’t Aunt Shirley just amazing?! I think we both would have enjoyed meeting her and talking stamps, Elinor. 🙂