I just got home from the two weeks I spent in Maastricht with my family. Waiting for me at home was a small pile of mail; among them were some Christmas cards that arrived after I left for Maastricht. While cards are a nice gesture, they always make me uncomfortable. While I may excel in some areas, social skills aren't among them. I am the kind of guy that never sounds out cards (Christmas, Birthdays, Deaths, etc.) and always forgets birthdays. While I think I make up for this inconsiderateness in personal contact and by always helping out others in need, getting a card always reminds me of the fact that I didn't send one to the person I received it from.

Even after what I said before; the feeling is gone quickly. Seeing one of the cards the next morning lets you know people care, which more then makes up for the "card opening experience" and makes me think I should get a calendar to remind me to send out some cards next time...