Ever exceptionally eloquent — be it in English, Italian, or Spanish — Oriana is a longtime friend and former neighbor of our founder Jodee, who will pick up the story from here …
Oriana and I met through our dogs (two dogs ago for each of us now) in our Miami Beach hood more than 20 years ago. My elegant black Lab Lucia was beachcombing when I spotted Oriana sitting in the sand up ahead, her camera pointed in Lucia’s direction. Because Cardthartic is always looking for new images, I introduced myself thinking she might be a photographer. Nope, but she did have the makings of a great friend so, for years after, she and her spitfire beagle Bogie, Lucia, and I took our evening strolls together. In 2003, when Oriana and her great husband Justin decided to move back to Scottsdale where they grew up, I had no doubt we’d stay connected … that’s just the kind of friend she had been …
The honest, upfront kind who would call from her home office across the street to say, “I’m feeling poopie … got any brownies made over there?” The thoughtful kind who, one year for my birthday long before Pandora or Spotify, took the time and effort to create a CD of two dozen of my favorite tunes. The sentimental kind who — on the day she said goodbye — surprised me with this photo of the sweet Lab Lucia that she’d surreptitiously taken way back on the day we’d met all those years before.
Today, we may no longer share a zip code or time zone, but what are those anyway compared to sharing tales, tears, and laughter? And memories! Like the night we had paused in our walk to let a passel of kids pet Bogie and Lucia. My friend was so wonderfully patient as the oldest of the bunch — who couldn’t have been more than five — gave us a long recitation on dog breeds and temperaments. “Wow!” Oriana gave him, “You sure know a lot about dogs!” Standing a little taller and cracking a big smile, he let her know, “Yea, well, that’s ‘cause my dad is a vegetarian.”
Haha, we still laugh about how hard we laughed that night! In 2018, Oriana came back to the beach to hang with me for a week and left a lovely, long note behind. On gorgeous 93970 below, you’ll see we published the first line of her note; the rest of what she’d written was a thoughtful and charming recitation of all she’d cherished about our week together. Beautiful! In the years since that first design was published, eloquent Oriana has kindly made a point of submitting messages for our consideration, and we’re always thrilled because she’s just that good.
Ah, if only everyone could have a friend as eloquent, bright, thoughtful, and clever. Alas, Oriana is one of a kind.
Designs with Messages by Oriana
Great Cardie Quote by Oriana
I love this love story between friends-we need a new word to describe two, soon to be friends “falling in love”~
I’ve been racking my brains over this one and I cannot seem to force this new word or phrase out of my brain. I even googled SYNONYMS FOR FRIENDSHIP. Words like “Besties” or “Pals” just don’t do the experience of getting to know another human being, who enriches your life in a million different ways, on a million different levels, justice. The non lover who touches your soul…..(“NOVER”???….. see what I mean? It’s hard!)
The friend you can always count on. The friend that when you look in your drawer where you keep cherished memories, you find, besides the cards from your spouse, mostly cards from them. Maybe another cardie will have a better idea, but hopefully every Cardie has friends like this-chances are they do!
And, of course, I loved the part about Oriana giving Jodes the picture of her dog, Lucia when she left. True Cardies and Soul Friends do that sort of thing. SRIENDS??…see what I mean? It’s hard!
Hi Penny, trying to learn how to communicate with Cardies; I’m a bit of a klutz. Maybe you’ll get this??? Here’s the message I’ve tried to send regarding your post for a new word for two people, becoming friends:
I’ve been having similar thoughts about finding words that “feel” right!
There is a Celtic word for ‘soul friend’: Anam Cara. John O’Donahue writes eloquently about the spirituality of friendship in his book by the same name.
And, Albert Schweitzer’s philosophy “Reverence for Life”, in his words, expresses what we mean by “love”.
I recently sent the Laughing Buddha card to a dear friend. She had just gone through a difficult medical journey. I signed my note, Reverent Love & Laughter. Those words “felt” right!
Expressing my thoughts to you helps me ‘keep on thinking’. Imagine your thoughts are ‘keeping on’! Donna Cochran
Hi Penny, I’ve been having similar thoughts about finding words that “feel” right! I’ll share what I’ve come up with. There is a Celtic word for ‘soul friend’: Anam Cara. John O’Donahue writes eloquently about the spirituality of friendship in his book by the same name. And, Albert Schweitzer’s philosophy “Reverence for Life”, in his words, expresses what we mean by “love”.
I recently sent the Laughing Buddha card to a dear friend. She had just gone through a difficult medical journey. I signed my note, Reverent Love & Laughter. Those words “felt” right!
Expressing my thoughts to you helps me ‘keep on thinking’. Would love to hear how your thoughts are keeping on! Donna Cochran