On a crowded train rushing across the Belgian border, a young woman writes Christmas cards. Impressed by the epistles she writes, I feel guilty about the fact that I no longer send self-written Christmas messages. Then I see her pick up her phone and type: “Write a Christmas card to my mother and tell her that I am proud of her and that I hope she will have more time for herself in 2026 and that in a personal tone.” With seriousness in her eyes, she copies the generated answer.

Lisa Havinga

Readers are the authors of this column. An Ije is a personal experience or anecdote in a maximum of 120 words. Submit via [email protected]





The journalistic principles of NRC

ttn-32