MY HALLMARK MOMENT

I think I’m addicted to a drug store. Let’s be clear – a drug store, not drugs. (although some of you might debate that at times…haha) Said drug store is just entirely too close to my home. Convenient...a little too convenient. Like on those nights when the siren call of a Snickers should probably go unsatisfied – I walk out my front door and end up on aisle four (yes I know the aisle) before I even realize it.

But this nearby drugstore does have its perks. I can run in and grab a greeting card and get it in the mail without going too far out of my way. Maybe I’ll actually get birthday cards in the mail on time now! Well…let’s not place the bar too high…

So the other day I went to the drug store to buy two cards. I looked down the aisle at what seemed like the Great Wall of China built completely of sentiments and paper. Let the search begin!

Our best friends’ cat was having a birthday party and since we are states away and couldn’t attend the feline fiesta, John and I opted for Hallmark to send our love for us. Only problem - anyone ever tried to look for a card for a cat? Few and far between to say the least. You’re really missing a whole demographic here Hallmark! I expected more of you! So instead of a kitty cat card, I got a human card. I figured Sobe would understand...she’s a nice cat.

And then it was on to card number two. A birthday card for my Nephew’s 12th birthday. I found one about sports and birthdays and it even said “Happy Birthday Nephew” on the front! A winning combo – perfect for him! Or so I thought. You see, I’ve learned since this greeting card search that New Orleans has a whole section of cards I’d never seen before. They’re all oriented to a black demographic. How cool is that? But how did I discover these cards you ask? Let’s just say that my white nephew will be opening the mailbox to find a card meant for a black nephew who likes sports and is celebrating his birthday. It was the coolest card I could find – kind of abstract with sport figures on the front. Only when I was signing it did I realize that they were all black players showcased on the front of the card. Oops! Maybe not the perfect fit I thought – but a cool card nonetheless.

So in the end, I bought a human card for a cat and a card for a black birthday boy for my white nephew. Maybe I should have given in to that siren call of the snickers so the sugar rush could have helped my brain function a little better. Oh well, I remembered to send a card – no matter what it may have said/looked like – and that counts from something right?

Happy Birthday Sobe and Dalton!