When the phone rings in the middle of the night, it's never a good thing, right?
And yesterday morning at 4:30am my phone lit up and sad news was waiting. My sweet friend, Yvonne, passed away. It was a call that I knew was coming.
It's bittersweet, as she was ready to go, I was not.
I normally don't share a whole bunch of personal stuff on here, you all come for card ideas not for sad and icky stuff.
Today I am in my craft room – and I can't do anything. Not a flipping thing. I have a to do list a mile long, and couldn't care less.
One of my last conversations with Yvonne was about life in general. I asked her what she was thinking about and she answered, “Everything.”
Sounds about right. What are the final thoughts as you know your time is near?
So I sit here today remembering funny conversations with her. She had this huge belly laugh like no one else I have ever known. She found the good in the terrible. She saw the best in people, always gave them the benefit of the doubt. She had real struggles, yet she found a way to find humor.
She was on hospice, she knew the end was near, but her mind was 100% there. As we talked for over an hour, we talked about any and everything, as we usually did. We laughed about stupid things and joked about different memories.
At the beginning of our conversation, she told me she was ready to go, and asked me to pray that the Lord come and take her. And for some reason, I replied with ok, but when you get there will you save me a seat? Her immediate response was that she would save me the biggest seat ever. I laughed and said I hope I didn't need THAT big a seat. But I did ask her to save it at a bar, and she replied with – and keep the margaritas coming!
We went on to talk about what she truly enjoyed in this life. Her child, her grandkids, her great grandkids. And then she shared how thankful she was to be able to be creative. She, like me, always wanted to be creative, but it just didn't happen for either of us until we found stamping. She loved making all kinds of paper crafts – always to give away to brighten someone else's day. A decorated post it pad, candy, a card, didn't matter – she always had someone on her mind that she needed to make something for – and that was something she had longed for her whole life, and found it at my kitchen table over a dozen years ago.
Yvonne was the FIRST member of my FIRST stamp club. She never missed a class, a camp, a club until the past two years. She LOVED paper crafting. This past weekend was my club, that she has remained in for over a decade – and for the first time, I will close out club without her. Do I care about her order and all that? Not one bit. You see, it was our standing phone call every single month. For over a decade. She wouldn't ever place her order when she was here, because then we might miss our phone call. It was usually 5 minutes of stamping talk and then over an hour of chit chat and girl talk. No matter how busy we both were, we both looked forward to that call every single month. We often talked a lot in between, but we both knew that our regular call was there just in case.
The call should have been yesterday, yet she was already gone.
If you don't know me, you don't know that I am not a crier. As I type this, the tears won't stop.
All of this typing to tell you her message…
“You never know the impact a handmade something has on someone.” And it's true. How is it on our worst days, you go to check the mail and boom – there is a unexpected card that stops you for a moment, the troubles of the day are gone, and you feel joy, love, appreciated, that someone was thinking of you enough to not only make you a card, but to send it too!
She also said, “You will never regret sending a card, but you will regret missing an opportunity!”
She encouraged me to share with the other stampers she knew to create more. To use your talents to brighten your day and others as well. This was her sadness in her last few months. She wanted to make stuff so badly and physically couldn't. We always think there is time – and she told me it all went by too fast. She thought she had a lot more time.
You are creative, you love making things – you are here on this blog for that reason.
Make a list – today. Make a list of who you should send a card to. Who could use a ray of sunshine, a touch of love, a reminder that they matter to you.
I didn't realize as I sat with Yvonne talking to her for really our last time, I went back over several more times, but she was really weak and couldn't talk much, I didn't realize that that conversation was one of the most precious conversations of my entire life.
As I was leaving that day after talking for more than an hour non-stop, I asked her if I came back the next day if she would be there. She replied with…
I don't know, but if I am not, I will save you a seat.
Precious memories for you. Thanks for sharing with us fellow stampers.
Indeed they are, it’s one of the most precious conversations ever!
A beautiful tribute to not only a fellow stamper but a dear friend. So sorry for your loss.
How truly sad to lose such a very special friend but you have so many, many happy, wonderful memories, which I hope will help you over the coming days, week and months. Thank you very much for sharing with us all. Love and big hugs to you. ?
What a special friendship you shared. My heart was breaking as I was reading. We should all be challenged by this to share our love & make someone’s day by receiving something we’ve made. I know it did me. Thank you for sharing!
Meg,
I am truly sorry for your loss! Unfortunately, I know that pain all too well with the loss of my sweet Sarah!! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!! Thank you for sharing such a precious memory.
So very sorry for your loss. What a great friend you are…people must really love you. So happy you had your friend for those dozen years. God bless.
Thank you Jennifer!!
I had a friend like that. She was not a paper crafter, but did crochet and knit. I lost her in January and I miss her every day. People like this are truly a treasure.
They are Betty!!! I am so sorry you and the loss of your friend!
So sorry for your loss. Such a seeet story. With prayers,
Megan, so sorry for your loss but thank you for the reminder. I have some pictures on my desk right now that are duplicates so I thought I’d send them to the other person because I thought they were cute & that they might like them. I’ve been procrastinating but will do it now because just like Yvonne, “you never know” how much they will mean. My brother in Texas was recently diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and even though we usually talk each month, now we are talking daily because “you never know” and I’ll be going to see him soon for the same reason. I hope you find peace in your memories of this wonderful woman. I’m with you!
Oh Cindy! I am so sorry about your brother! And yes, send the pictures 🙂
So sorry for your loss. My card and scrapbook creations are as much for me as they are for the recipient. It’s in the doing that I find most gratifying. In the last weeks, I’ve made a portrait scrapbook for my 44 yo stepdaughter (her dad & I are no longer married), a stationary set for a friend who moved two hours away and crotcheted a baby afghan for my niece, and made me dinner when I’ve visited, and 60 cards for the guys and gals at work. Not everyone comments, but many do, as I’ve sent handmade birthday and Christmas cards for three years running (I;m in HR and it’s a family owned business). The few that mention “thanks for the card” and “my wife said ‘ is that from Debbie? I want to see it'” mean so much to me. We love our demonstrators. I have been with mine for almost 15 years. . . I know your customers/friends love you too!
LOVE this Debbie! Don’t ever stop!
This made my heart cry! I’m so so sorry for your loss of a true friend. It’s never easy losing someone you love, but our lives go on. So with that thought in mind, save a seat for all of your friends including me! Hugs Megan
Absolutely Susan!!!
Beautiful Megan. Cherish your friendship, she was very special. Hugs!
She was indeed 🙂
So sorry for your loss, you have the memories you both shared, keep creating and share the love 🙂 She was blessed to have a friend like you. Blessings
Thank you Tamera – and you do the same!!! It means more than we often think it does!
So very sorry for the loss of your dear friend. I know cards being so much joy and peace to people. I don’t buy cards any more. I make my own now. I only wish I had started doing this much sooner!
Beautifully put Norma!!!
Thank you for sharing this touching story about your wonderful friend. I love making and sharing paper crafts with others as well. It brings me such great joy to make someone smile. Debie from sunny California USA
I’m so sorry for your loss. I want to thank you for sharing your story. While reading this I’ve thought about the important people in my life and sending cards not just for birthdays and holidays but cards every now and then just to let them know I’m thinking about them and what they mean to me.
So very sorry for the loss of such a beautiful soul! We are always reminded in these ways of how precious our own lives are. What a very special friend you had. Thank you for sharing her story. May she rest in peace.
I am so sorry for your loss of this dear person. The message you;ve shared is valuable and impactful. Sending a hug!
Friendship is the strongest connection in our lives. We have family but a good friend is the best medicine for everything in life. Friends can show us new solutions or some other beautiful idea. I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Her example will be your strength.
Megan, So sorry for your loss. I felt exactly the same way about creativeness until I found paper crafts 14 years ago. I saved some of the very first cards. It feels good to look at them and be able to think, wow I have come a long way. I try to Send cards to those in need. Like you, I always have a list going as I send dozens of birthday cards a year. I haven’t found anyone that did not like a homemade card. I will never forget your story about saving a seat. It is so beautiful. Thinking of you and prayers to get through the next few weeks.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. I’ve only been doing cards for about 2 years. In January I lost my only son to a horrible car accident. No matter how hard I try I can’t. My thoughts are just not there. Please tell me how to begin making my cards again.
Hello Bridgette, I just wanted to say that I’m so very sorry for the loss of your son. I cannot begin to imagine what that is like. Hopefully in time you will start making cards again. I would guess that since you enjoy it so much it is something your son would want for you! When you’re ready, just go choose a few colors of paper and if that is all you can do in a day, so be it. In time you will have a card ready to be out together and your son will delight in seeing you find joy again. Hugs to you.
Megan,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing Yvonne’s words. I’ve always felt that way but have never really put it into words. She has validated all those cards that I send out. You don’t know the impact a handmade card can make. I had an Aunt that I would send a card to for EVERY occasion and it made her day.
I hope you don’t need that seat for many years but it’s good to know it’s being saved. Hugs
So sorry for the loss of your special friend. It makes me think that I should do more card making for friends and relatives. I was to a funeral today myself and it was so sad. She was such a wonderful person.
Awww what a sweet friend. I know you will miss her…..but what an inspiration you were to her as she was to you. Sorry for your loss.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute. I love making cards and sending them to friends. Like was said, you never know what it will mean to someone. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. She sounds amazing. We all need good friends.
She lives on, in every kind thing you do and every card you make, Megan! Thanks for sharing this special friendship. So glad you two had each other. And what tremendous hope we have in Jesus… we will see Him and our loved ones again.
God bless you as you grieve.
A beautiful tribute to a wonderful friend. I love the message that you left with us.
WOW, what a very special gift you both shared. Thank you for sharing your gift with us. I believe she will do her best to save that seat for you.
Oh dear Meg – I am sorry for your loss – your story reminds me of a dear friend that I had & lost to cancer about 3 years ago – she was my most loyal & faithful customer – gave me some of the same advice your friend did & always had a way to make people laugh – she was always willing to help someone at class if I was busy helping someone else – we all miss her a lot, still to this day!!
May God send you peace during this time – remember, don’t ever forget such a good friend.
Such a beautiful tribute to a special lady. I know you will miss her terribly but you have many sweet memories to cherish always.
Hi Megan, What a beautiful tribute to your dear friend. Thank you for sharing your story and her wise words! I hope that knowing she is saving you a seat is a comfort to you. She was blessed to have you as a friend!
I am very sorry and deeply saddened by the loss of your wonderful friend. Thank you for sharing this beautiful message. I have had more than one of these very heartfelt conversations with loved ones and they have been a gift. To have such eloquence at the end of a life is a good indicator of what a beautiful person they were. Sharing of themselves in such a way when they are so close to going home. Not asking why but saying don’t forget each other while you are here. Beautiful message we all need to hear each and every day. Thank you to both of you for the reminder. Bless you both.
This is such a special post! I know Yvonne is now happy and crafting 24 hrs a day and has saved you that very special seat. You are such a special person, I hope your sorrow washes away to happy thoughts of all the good times and chats you and she had…… Thank you for sharing this and all your creative talents with us all……… 🙂
So sorry for your loss, I feel your pain as years ago I lost my best friend in an auto accident, we were so close and yet so far, as she had moved across the country, we always kept in touch with our long letters, It was the greatest thing to happen when she stepped into my life. May you always treasure the special memories that you were lucky enough to share with your friend. May God grant you peace at this sad time….. hugs
Sorry for your loss. Treasure the precious memories with your special friend.
Sorry for your loss, but she left a great message behind for all of us. Thanks for sharing it. They say people come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime and she fits all of those. I happened to read your blog today, which I don’t do on a regular basis due to time constraints). I was reading on facebook this morning where someone had made a couple of beautiful cards for a “friend” and that friend looked at them and threw them in the trash. I’m sure every cardmaker has been disappointed by a similar scene happening to us. Your friend’s message is the reason we make cards and send them to those who could use a lift and a brighter day.
How very nice for u to share a precious moment with your dear friend. Very sad but very beautiful. Thank you. In my mind in am a created.. It just doesn’t come out very well. Megan I love your email and know you are happy at what you do. Maybe one day it will rub off on me… Lol
Thabk you made.
Megan,
Thanks for sharing. I have a dear friend who recently lost her sister to a tragic accident. She tried to go back to her stamp room and create and just could not do it for over a month. She said her heart was not in it and she felt all she had to give to others was drained from her. She did regain her ability to create and started making and sending cards again about 2 months later. What we do with our hands are only a fraction of what we do with our hearts and you know that oh so well. Stay strong and never stop being creative.
What a special lady! You are so lucky to have had such a special friendship. So sorry for your loss!
So sorry for the loss of your friend. Thanks for sharing her message and your fond memories of her. It was very touching and I could really feel your emotion in it. Just keep remembering what a Blessing she was to you and smile thinking about all the good times and conversations you shared.
Megan, I am sincerely sorry for your loss of your friend. What a wonderful relationship you two developed over the years. Some of my best friends today I met through stamping. You will always have those memories to carry you through. Please take some time for yourself as you will need to heal.
Sending you lots of hugs.
I just love this and it is so true, it makes me feel good to make something and the reciever has always said they loved it. I am a card maker, sewer, embroiderer more than a stamper but making is making and the things we make are so full of love. I hope it weill be a long time before you claim your seat but we never know 🙂
I’m so very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts & prayers! Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
I am so sorry for your loss she sounds like an amazing woman. Years ago, when I had cancer and was going through chemotherapy, I had a friend that sent me a card every week; I always received it on Tuesdays. Those cards gave me a lot of hope and internal strength. Her card was the one thing that I looked forward to. My friend and God got me to where I am today. You were blessed to have such a good friend too.
What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it, Megan. I’m sorry for your loss.
Robin
I am so sorry for the loss of your very dear friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Thank you so very much for sharing your beautiful story of such a precious friend.
Megan,
This is a special tribute for your friend and stamper. My thoughts and prayers are with you and her family. My sister died from breast cancer way too early. She was only 62. She is so missed. I also had a new stamper that was with me for almost a year. She died suddenly last week and I have had a very hard time getting back into stamping again. She loved coming over and stamping with me and so miss that. I can feel your pain, but joy will follow soon. I would love to mail you a card if you send me your address.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend, Yvonne. I’m so glad you had your talks and you can remember her and the smiles and kindness of that friendship.
Thanks for reminding me of sending and sharing with others by sending cards and my own creations. Friends are special.
Thanks for sharing. My God bless you during this time.
Thank you so much for sharing this touching story of loving friendship & creative sisterhood! I am so sorry for your loss.
Aww, Megan, I’m so sorry. Your message made me think of my close girlfriends and how crafting together has created such a strong bond between us. I was at a crop on Saturday, and it reminded me how much better creating is when done with others who share your passion. You and Yvonne were blessed to share 12 years together, and I know your lives were so enriched as a result of your friendship. I know you will miss her, but when you think of her as you create for others, you will be honoring her memory and sage advice. Thank you for sharing it with us. I hope to meet you some day. I think we would be friends! Hugs to you.
Thank you, Meg, for this wonderful reminder of how important the little things are! We have such a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives with such a small, but significant act. Prayers for your sorrow and grieving, but I’m so glad you’ll have a seat and a margarita waiting for you!
So sorry for the loss of your dear friend Megan. I,m sure she felt blessed to have a friend like you. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for sharing your personal thoughts and relationship Meg! I lost a crafty friend like this and she was much the same way that you described Yvonne. Both of us have been blessed to have a friend like this. My sympathies to you!
Thank you for sharing her testimony. I am so sorry for your loss. But know Heaven gained an angel today. What a blessing for both of you. You touched Yvonne in as many ways as she touched you. Take you time to shed your tears. Remember you are loved here by all of us.
So sorry for your loss.
May The memories of the times spent together bring you comfort.
I am so touched by your sharing your relationship with your longtime friend. to encourage others.
She will save a seat for you at.the big crafting table ?
You truly are a wonderful person to draw such wonderful people to you. I’m sorry for your loss. Please take your time and grieve. We will be here waiting patiently for you.
Meg, I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. May God’s love and many happy memories bring you comfort and peace. Sending love and prayers.
Hello there Meg.
I am sorry for the loss of your dear friend.
Death truly is an enemy and something we humans find hard to accept. (Isaiah 25:8) When Jesus was on the earth, he raised Lazarus from the dead and promised there IS going to be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous in the future. (John 5:28, 29)
The pain of your friend’s passing will ease. Take time to grieve, cry all you want to and may you find comfort in the resurrection hope. This is no idle promise, but a solid guarantee from God. (Revelation 21:4)
Meg I am so sorry for the loss of your dear friend Yvonne. I know you made her life so happy by sharing your creative skills as you have with many of us. You need to take time to grieve. My family and friends are always thrilled with my cards and crafts because of a lot of things I have learned from you over the years . Thank you dear friend and don’t be in a hurry to occupy that seat with Yvonne to soon??
Hi Megan..I am so sorry for your loss of a friend. Good one’s are hard to find. Thank you for sharing your story, very sad but happy that you had a wonderful friend like that. Not many people do. Glad you have wonderful memories that you will cherish.
I would love a friend like that. Someone that has or will inspire. Plus share laughs with.
I want you to know that I love seeing your posts. But I am one of those people that have stuff, and cant seem to make things look like what I would like.
Thanks again
Karen
I feel sure your cards are wonderful. Us crafters never feel fully secure with our creative endeavours. I always ask the Angels for help and they do answer. God Bless you Karen x
When I watched (through tears) your coffee chat about Yvonne, I had had a couple of introspective days already. My dear friend that I have had for 56 years had just experienced going through her husband having surgery for pancreatic cancer. Overnight, life has changed for them. He will begin chemo soon. We are all in our early 70’s and our husbands are reluctant to retire. They are both workaholics. We both have wanted to spend more time with our husbands, because as Yvonne so wisely said “you never know”. So I have already been prioritizing things I want to do. I find I spend more time procrastinating than really living life to the fullest. All this being said, because Yvonne’s advice really had an impact on me and I really appreciated you sharing it with all of us. I’m sure I’m not the only one touched by this and are so very sorry for your loss. I’m an advocate of sharing our experiences and feelings. It’s the only way others will be comfortable asking for help when they need it.. Praying for you and so appreciate you. Yvonne was so lucky to have you for a friend.
So very sorry for your loss, Megan. She sounds like an amazing woman. While her physical presence is no longer with you, she remains forever imprinted on your heart. I’m making my list.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts today!
What a wonderful friend to have had. You shared a lot through your stamping and now have many memories. I need to get busy and start making cards just because.
“This is the day the Lord has made … we will rejoice” Someday you will see you friend and sit in that “saved seat”.
My sympathies. Lydia
Megan , thank you for this beautiful heart share . It touched me in so many personal memories . Reminded me of my last visits with my mother who was a cancer victim and left me when she was only 52 .
Yes , we do need to listen to those angel whispers about sending those cards .
I am so sorry you lost your friend ,but preserve her sweet memory by continuing your wonderful blog and card creations !
I am truly sorry for the loss of your dear friend. She sounds like she was a beautiful person. I agree with her …to never under estimate the power in the card received by someone. I am so honored to play such a small part in sharing the joy of hand stamping with others. Thank you for sharing and always save a seat for a friend!
Meg….what a precious moment to share with us!! Thank you for touching my heart.!!!!
Special friend special life well lived, I think it would be wonderful to have “seat” next to her to look forward to as you move forward sharing her loving story.
Thanks so much for sharing. So sorry for your loss. You are really going to miss her. Hugs.
Meg, I am so sorry for the lost of such a beautiful friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Megan, you have such a big heart and I am sure your friend is saving that seat for you.
I started making cards a few years ago and after becoming totally consumed I became Ill and stopped doing what I loved so much. I got so depressed and spent thousands of dollars with therapist. I didn’t get better until I needed a sympathy card and decided that I would make one because it needed to be special and I still had all my supplies so to get to the end of my story that was two years ago and I don’t need a therapist and I have not bought a card in two years and it is so rewarding to see someone I have sent a card to and have them give me a hug and tell me how much they love my card. The only thing I know is money can’t buy that and I also have a wonderful friend who shares my love of crafting. We laugh together and we cry together and I know in my heart that which ever one of us goes first we will also be saving a seat for the other
So sorry for your loss Megan. Thoughts and prayers for you.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have a very special friend for over 50 years. We haven’t lived in the same state for many years but continue to be besties. She and her husband are the best friends anyone could ask for. They have always been there for me in my darkest times and now I am giving back by being there for them. They are both battling cancer. I pray everyday that god won’t have them suffer too much and if they do they will be fine with it.
I love them sooo much.
Megan, So very sorry for your loss. I love your sweet friend’s attitude about going home to be with the Lord. Thank you for sharing her with us and reminding us all about why we all paper craft. Praying for peace and God’s comfort for all.
So sorry for the loss of your friend. Sending prayers for you.
I’m sorry for your loss. It’s another amazing benefit of stamping – true friendships develop. She will always be in your heart.
Oh my goodness, such touching and heartfelt words from both of you. It hurts to lose those we love so dearly because they make our lives so much better. May God Bless you both with all HIS love.
Thanks for sharing your feelings and the profound words of your friend. I am glad that you got to say goodbye and share your thoughts. I lost a friend, her husband, and their little girl due to a drunk driver. I wish that I had had the chance to speak with her as you did. Cherish her memory, it will make me more determined to share my cards, etc. and not procrastinate.
Megan – Thank you for sharing this. What a great friend you had. A treasure.
I take my creativeness for granted and am now reflecting on what more I can do with it.
Please share from time to time how you are doing without Yvonne.
So sorry for your loss, Megan??? God blessed you indeed with this special friendship. You are in my thoughts and my prayers??
Megan, I’m sorry for your loss, for you a big hug !!xxx
What a wonderful blessing Yvonne was in your life and how fortunate that you forged such a strong and lasting friendship. My heart goes out to you as you grieve this enormous loss.
I am so sorry for your loss of a dear friend. Some of our best times with people or friends is just sitting and talking sharing love and laughter. My thoughts and prayers are with you
Megan,
I am reading your post at 12.50am (Australian time) and my eyes are filled with tears at the wonderful way you have paid tribute to your friend Yvonne. Your words are beautiful.
So sorry for your loss.
Pauline
Megan,
So sorry for the loss of your great friend. True friends and true friendships are hard to find and sometimes (due to life happenings) are hard to keep.
I recently, thru fb, have found a friend I had in grade school and thru HS. My friend is not a crafter AT ALL but she has been the recipient of some of my cards and she truly loved them.
Your post about getting back in the craft room to create inspires me. I can’t wait to get home tonight and create some cards for friends and family that could use a smile.
Thank you and God Bless you.
Megan, your post brought tears to my eyes as I have lost two long-time girl friends (from my teens). We would spend hours on the phone in addition to seeing them on occasion.
I love making cards. It’s a stress reliever for me. It’s planning the design then executing it.
My thiughts and prayers are with you.
I am so sorry for your loss god had a plan for you and her
Dear Meg, I am so sorry for your loss. It’s just such a tough time. I lost several family members in the course of about a year and a half–my step-sister, my sister-n-law, my dad. I was floundering. I was a knitter for many years but my hands could no longer hold the needles because of arthritis. I turned to paper and just started making simple things–tags and bookmarks. I started handwriting letters instead of emailing. And before you know it, I was making journals and having fun. Keep paper crafting! It heals the heart! Denise
Thank you for sharing your story. It is a powerful story of friendship. I, too, lost a friend last year. She made so many things for me that I remember her every day. Your friend will always remain with you in your memories and your heart.
You and Yvonne shared one of the best things that life offers, friendship. May your thoughts and memories of her help to lessen your loss, and perhaps even make you smile when you think of her. I was the main caregiver for my Mom, who I lost to pancreatic cancer, 20 months after her initial diagnosis. During the time I cared for her, I put many things, including card making, on the back burner. My Mom had taken a card class a few years before while wintering down in southern USA. She could hardly wait to come home (Canada) and show me how fun it was. When she had passed, I wanted to find a way that I could thank all of the people who worked in the Palliative Care Unit, where Mom spent her last month on earth. I sat down and looked through the many cards that she had created, both in classes and on her own. Some of them weren’t complete, but I chose to finish them for her and add cards I had created to the collection of finished cards. In the end, I had gathered together over 350 cards, of various themes and sizes, I matched them with envelopes and took the entire box to the Palliative Unit that had taken care of her. I spoke with one of the head nurses there and told her that I knew I wanted to do something to thank everyone there for having been so wonderful in caring for my Mom, and that I hoped that they would all take turns in choosing whatever cards they felt they could use and give to their families and friends. She became very quiet and looked at me and said that no one had ever come up with a way to thank them like that before and that it was truly touching to know that both my Mom’s and my creative hands actually made these beautiful cards. The actual time span from the time my Mom passed away until I delivered the carton of cards was a couple of months. Going through my Mom’s collection of handmade cards got my creative juices flowing once again and I feel it was her little way of pushing me back to doing something that she knew brought me such happiness and was something I’d always remember that she loved to do as well. All in all, it certainly worked out well for all concerned, as we all benefited from the act of card making. Please continue to share your craft and experiences with those of kindred spirits. It will help to uplift all of our hearts.
I am truly sorry for your loss Meg. You certainly had a very special relationship with your friend… you were kindred spirits. Hold your memories close to your heart, they will carry you through. Thanking you for sharing with all of us. Sending you my heartfelt sympathies and big hugs,
Anna
Megan, I too lost a friend in March unexpectantly. I am always the strong friend, the one that does not cry. My friend just fell over with a blood clot in her lung. The shock of my life. I have never cried so much and felt so lost. She was my prayer partner. If anything was wrong, I always called or texted to ask her to please pray and when she prayed, it was like she had a direct line to God. My friend was the only person that I ever met that talked the talk and walked the walk. I can tell you that the firsts are hard. It has been almost 2 months and I am crying a little less but the hole in my heart still hurts. May God give you comfort and peace.
My sister is getting close to her time to see the Lord. I have litterly crawled in her bed with her and talked about our life together. Loving someone is a very precious thing. I am so sorry for your loss. As a nurse I see loss frequently and it still hits me hard. I am happy that you and her have had each other to share over the years. God Bless!
I truly believe that God gives us the gift of memories, so that we can pull them out anytime and visit with our loved ones who are with us anymore, but in a much sweeter place. I do this often with my memories of my daddy which I lost almost 2 years ago. Sometimes the visits are so real that I have to face the fact that that’s what they were, visits through my memories. Treasure your memories.