an introduction and a story

today, i am launching a little service called postcards from heaven. the short description is that it's a postcard service where every month for six months (the first session goes from july through december), you'll receive a postcard in the mail with a note of encouragement and support. there's a page with all the details if you're interested.

when i realized that i was going to use the name postcards from heaven, i hesitated, because i knew that some of the people who might otherwise be interested might be turned off by the use of the word heaven. the trouble is that the name sort of chose itself; there was nothing i could do about it.

so, i thought i'd share the story behind the name.

many many years ago, in 1999, it was a rainy rainy rainy day. we signed up for a tour around the isle of skye in scotland and spent the day driving around the island in an old van while our guide told us dirty jokes between stops. (he had an impressive litany of them.) naturally, he had a scottish accent, so i had a tiny crush on him.

i fell in love with that place. it was cold. it was green. there was a waterfall plunging down a rocky cliff to the sea. there were hairy coos. there was a legend about the river sligachan that promised eternal beauty if you bathed your face in its icy waters. (yes, it was icy, and i'm not so sure it worked). there were stories about babies and flogged nursemaids and castles. there was a faery glen. there was a place that seemed otherworldly. (come to think of it, remember the photo of the sand? if you imagine green hills that look exactly like the sand, you'll have an image of the quiraing.)

it was a perfect (rainy) day.

at one point, this song came on the radio with the chorus, "postcard from heaven, go to where you belong. never find the perfect situation, 'til you know where you're from." i loved it. when we were back in england, i bought the cd (it was by lighthouse family). every time i played it, it reminded me of that day.

when i moved to oregon, i put the cd in my car. it is the cd i always turn to whenever i drive to the coast and run out of radio. i am driving through the rain and the green and the hills to a place that makes my soul sing - it seems fitting somehow.

almost every time i hear that song, i get a little teary. it reminds me of moments when i am so perfectly happy that i am fully and completely present and and feel enveloped in love and support. when i think of heaven in this context, i am not thinking of a place so much as i am a feeling, and that is sort of the feeling i'd like the postcards to convey. well, that's a lot to ask of a simple postcard, but even a glimpse of it would be wonderful.

Comments

[Kirsten]

what a wonderful project! i bet those cards will arrive just when they're needed :)

did you do the scrapbook in the photo? it is totally amazing & i'd love if i could post it on my blog (but won't do so without your permission).

[Julie M.]

That's an awesome idea! Love it.

Your scrapbook is so neat- the black paper really makes the photos and writing stand out.

[Maryann Devine]

Elizabeth, I love your idea for postcards that give us a little boost when we need it, in the real-world mailbox. Congrats on starting this super cool thing!

[Relyn]

Elizabeth, I loved reading about one of your MAN ALIVE moments. I am so glad that you have the music to pull you back into it on demand. I also love your idea and wish you much success!

[Nora]

what a nice idea, Lib. Your photos certainly have the ability to uplift, and there is something about "nice" mail amidst the junk that really can bring a smile, isn't there?

[kerri]

i love the idea, and i don't think the word heaven will be a turn off- it's not overly religous- is that why you thought it might be a turn off to some?

[Helen]

i have a few songs that do that, too:) i'm not sure if i ever saw your scrapbook, i'll have to look at it someday.

[Meredith]

Congratulations on launching your new venture, Elizabeth. Encouragement is a beautiful thing to put out there, and the world could always use more of it. :)

[Josiane]

It's so fabulous that you were able to get this going so quickly! Yay for sending those delightful postcards from heaven out into the world! I can't wait to receive mine. :)
(I've completely forgotten to write a note in the "message to seller" box specifying what kind of support I need, but hey, you have a pretty good idea what could be useful right now... and I'll keep you updated, of course!)

[tricia]

i really love this idea!

[Rose]

This is such a perfect idea!!!! And being one of those people who hesitates at the word heaven, I still associate it with positivity & light in contexts like this, so don't worry ^_^

[Gayle]

What a sweet idea!

[marilyn]

nice! such a lovely idea from an even lovelier (i'll say the icy water worked) lady.

[ELK]

oh i hope this will be such joyful experience ..i know it will be for the recipients!!

[rebecca @ altared spaces]

This is amazing! I do a similar project and feel a great need for someone to take care of me. How soon can I sign up for my session???