Promptvent - Day 15
25 days of winter prompts to thaw your writers (ice)block - and this year it's all about being Cozy.
Hello and welcome to day 15 of Promptvent!
If you’d like some wintry musical inspiration whilst you write, why not try listening to ‘That’s Christmas To Me’ by Pentatonix on Spotify.
Listen to me read the guided invitation via audio below or if you prefer to read the transcript, that is also available for you underneath the audio.
Welcome back to our Promptvent village advent calendar where you find yourself standing once again before the cozy Christmas window.
Bundled up in your warm woolen mittens and thick scarf, you are eager to to know what wintry word of the day awaits you. What world will you step into and discover today? You lean closer, and can feel the eagerness in your fingers as you pull off your mittens and reach for the iron latch on the window, lifting it with care.
You are looking at the interior of a cozy Christmas Post Office that you wouldn’t be surprised housed elves delivering Santa’s letters to little children. There are a few staff members smiling and sorting various envelopes in blue suits and shiny black shoes. A big red postbox sits in the corner with a sign reading, ‘Christmas Cards, Important’, in large gold lettering. You notice a stand covered from head to toe in Christmas cards, all blank and waiting to be written upon. There are piles of envelopes on the table and large hessian sacks full of post going off to various places around the world. You begin to think of all of the dear friends and relatives you would like to write to this year, so they know you are thinking of them at this time.
All of a sudden the red wreathed door to your left slowly opens, inviting you further. You step through the door, stamp off the snow from your boots and hang your winter coat up on a golden brass hook. A bell tinkles as you walk in and the staff look up and welcome you warmly. The room smells of freshly printed card and ink which brings back many a memory of writing Christmas cards by the tree every year. You scan the myriad of Christmas cards, traditional ones, religious ones, humorous ones, beautiful handmade cards of winter landscapes and elaborate cards that sing a merry Christmas tune when you open them are waiting to be picked by the right person.
You know exactly your preferred kind of card to send and they have the perfect stack for you. You can think immediately of a few friends who have had a tough year, new additions to the family, a friend who moved away that you want to keep in touch with, as well as some acquaintances that you doubt will be receiving much Christmas magic this year. You collect the chosen cards, take a pen from the counter and take a seat in the armchair next to the Post Box. You think deeply about what you would like to say, perhaps a little poem might be a nice addition to the card, or a memory you and the recipient shared which may cheer them to be reminded of.
A staff member comes up to you and hands you a black worn leather pocket book with the word ‘Addresses’, written on it. ‘You dropped this’, they say with a grin before picking up a sack of letters and heading out. You open the book which reveals the names and addresses of everyone you’ve ever known, all the information up to date and correct, even ones you thought you’d lost to time or circumstance. You flick through the book and see a name that sticks out to you. Oh you must send them a card, you couldn’t not. Their unique expression comes to your minds eye and you smile at how much they will love receiving something from you. The first card will be for them. As you scroll down to their address, you notice one word in cursive script written just above it.
It reads: CARDS
You open the first card, put their name at the top, pause a moment to gather what you would like to say, and then you pick up the pen - and you write.
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Prompt vent
Cards
Cards call out to me with memories and functions . A greetings card sent in celebration or a quick note of condolence . At times an action , of saving energy , shielding an excuse not to write much without rudeness .
A plain card used for revision or ideas put in pockets like a compact book . Taken everywhere on leading days towards a final exam or the layout of a project . Recording ideas on the hoof .
The best are postcards of adventures taken from over the world . The ones sent to me of long ago by people I worked with , a few sweet words or humorous banter . The ones I regret letting go of too generously . Memories and learnings from around a realm of cultures , from people and connections met . Works of art photographed on cards , places visited when I had no camera . Placed in a box for learning , visual stimulation , placed together in frames providing pictures . Making magnolia walls alive and filling a home with art or simply joyous memories or words of inspiration .
I have some with affirmations and encouragement . A card given and treasured , silently sealed with gratitude for the uplift and reassurances bestowed. Cards hold a power to transform moments of struggle and seal zeal to continue . Symbols and words that heal and comfort when stumbling . Aiding rising and proceeding the path .
PromptVest Day 15. CARD
Me to my husband
Should we send them a card this year? After all we haven't seen or spoken to them for over twenty years. We always get theirs at the last minute, probably they weren't going to send us one but then they received ours. Stamps are really expensive these days. Maybe I will just send a text message but its not the same is it? Oh pass me the address book, I’ll write them one of these nice ones with the fluffy robin on and I’ll add a little note with our news.