DIY thank you notes

A couple of years ago, before life schedules became as hectic as they are now, I used to serve in various wedding organising committees. I recall interacting with people who after years of serving in such committees had amassed vast experience.

These are people who could recite the components of a wedding budget as if they are reciting the Lord’s prayer. These are people who could sing the protocol programme item by item with precision as if they were singing the National Anthem. From time to time I kept wondering how they managed to know and compare prices of goods and services from suppliers in Blantyre and beyond.

The more meetings I attended, the more I understood that wedding function was routine and generally monotonous. I gradually began to master requirements for the different Christian denominations where a particular wedding would be officiated.

One day, while attending a final planning meeting for one of the weddings, a member tabled an interesting any other business (AOB). He requested that the bride and groom-to-be should be told to send vote of thanks notes or cards to people who participated in organising their wedding celebrations.

While all members present agreed, there were different schools of thought. Others suggested that the vote of thanks should be published in one of the newspapers, yet some felt thank you cards would do. Well, at the end the committee agreed that the message should be relayed in its simplest form, and the couple would decide how to implement the resolution.

Recently, I received a hand-made ‘Thank You’ card from a couple that recognised my attendance at their wedding reception. I spent some time turning it over and marvelled at the creativity of the couple. I don’t know how many cards they made, but looking at the cards, it gave me a feeling that the message was indeed coming from the couple. It was written in vernacular.

The course recycled paper fitted in the prevailing thinking of reusing and recycling. After looking at the card for some time, I decide that the next time I will be required to send a vote of thanks, I will do it with my hands.

Wishing you, dear reader, a week full of activity. Remember, if you want it perfectly done, do it yourself.