March 23, 2023 — We hope you and your nearest and dearest are feeling healthy and strong. You’ve heard little from us in the past few weeks because three on our company’s little four-person Creative team have been down-and-out with nasty bronchial stuff. Ugh, Photo Editor Luda learned yesterday that hers has progressed to pneumonia. 🥴
If you’ve ever had this, you may relate to the feeling of having swallowed a box of razor blades, then coughing so hard and often that you could swear a cowboy was kicking you in the ribs, sometimes with the pointy toe of his boot and sometimes with the big chunky heel.
When I went for antibiotics way back on March 8th, my medical records showed that I had been there five years ago nearly to the day for the same reason. That reminded me that, back then, I’d somehow cranked out a Cardie Newsletter from bed about what a battle bronchitis is and, after reading that story, Contributing Cardie Nancy McGinn had emailed me a sentiment so soothing that we made it into this Passages card.
This time around, I couldn’t help but consider: Instead of being laid up for a few weeks five years ago, and again now, what if I’d had to spend the last five years feeling this miserable?
When we’re feeling good and strong and healthy and focused on our own lives, it can be easy to overlook the fact that six out of 10 adults in the US are living with a chronic illness. Defined as conditions that last one year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit daily living, the most prevalent are heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The most common chronic pains are in the back, hip, and knee.
I did some quick reading on coping with chronic illness and was not surprised but really pleased to see that “Emotional support from others – particularly family and friends — can be a great help.” That line made me think of Contributing Cardie Judy Sherman and how her love and compassion prompted her to propose that we publish the message she wrote for her beloved daughter-in-law, Tammy, who has spent the last 20 years in excruciating pain after her back was broken in a car accident.
“I am writing now to tell you how much Tammy loved our card,” Judy e-mailed us after giving it to Tammy. “She cried! She, her parents, and my son Brian were absolutely overwhelmed and all loved our card so much! When I visited them in Virginia Beach, Tammy was able to get out one day and she just wanted to see the ocean, so Brian drove us down there and pushed her wheelchair onto the boardwalk where he took this picture of us.
“Thanks again for EVERYTHING,” Judy wrote. “By publishing my message for Tammy, you made all of us so happy and gave us a priceless gift!”
Ah, but it was Judy who gave everyone in this Cardie Community a gift in providing this way to beautifully express support for someone living with chronic pain. While it’s so easy to get caught up in our own lives — a little bronchitis to get over, the NCAA championships to watch, contending with weather conditions — Judy has shown us how to open our hearts a little wider, take a bit of time to consider the health struggles that others face, and let them know we’re truly wishing them well. Stay healthy!
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
March 23, 2023 — We hope you and your nearest and dearest are feeling healthy and strong. You’ve heard little from us in the past few weeks because three on our company’s little four-person Creative team have been down-and-out with nasty bronchial stuff. Ugh, Photo Editor Luda learned yesterday that hers has progressed to pneumonia. 🥴
If you’ve ever had this, you may relate to the feeling of having swallowed a box of razor blades, then coughing so hard and often that you could swear a cowboy was kicking you in the ribs, sometimes with the pointy toe of his boot and sometimes with the big chunky heel.
When I went for antibiotics way back on March 8th, my medical records showed that I had been there five years ago nearly to the day for the same reason. That reminded me that, back then, I’d somehow cranked out a Cardie Newsletter from bed about what a battle bronchitis is and, after reading that story, Contributing Cardie Nancy McGinn had emailed me a sentiment so soothing that we made it into this Passages card.
This time around, I couldn’t help but consider: Instead of being laid up for a few weeks five years ago, and again now, what if I’d had to spend the last five years feeling this miserable?
When we’re feeling good and strong and healthy and focused on our own lives, it can be easy to overlook the fact that six out of 10 adults in the US are living with a chronic illness. Defined as conditions that last one year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit daily living, the most prevalent are heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. The most common chronic pains are in the back, hip, and knee.
I did some quick reading on coping with chronic illness and was not surprised but really pleased to see that “Emotional support from others – particularly family and friends — can be a great help.” That line made me think of Contributing Cardie Judy Sherman and how her love and compassion prompted her to propose that we publish the message she wrote for her beloved daughter-in-law, Tammy, who has spent the last 20 years in excruciating pain after her back was broken in a car accident.
“I am writing now to tell you how much Tammy loved our card,” Judy e-mailed us after giving it to Tammy. “She cried! She, her parents, and my son Brian were absolutely overwhelmed and all loved our card so much! When I visited them in Virginia Beach, Tammy was able to get out one day and she just wanted to see the ocean, so Brian drove us down there and pushed her wheelchair onto the boardwalk where he took this picture of us.
“Thanks again for EVERYTHING,” Judy wrote. “By publishing my message for Tammy, you made all of us so happy and gave us a priceless gift!”
Ah, but it was Judy who gave everyone in this Cardie Community a gift in providing this way to beautifully express support for someone living with chronic pain. While it’s so easy to get caught up in our own lives — a little bronchitis to get over, the NCAA championships to watch, contending with weather conditions — Judy has shown us how to open our hearts a little wider, take a bit of time to consider the health struggles that others face, and let them know we’re truly wishing them well. Stay healthy!
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
Jodee & Luda
Hope you both are feeling stronger & breathing easier. I would have thought the bright FL sunshine would heal you faster. Your story illustrates the impact words & a thoughtful card has on the receiver. Your cards bring joy & comfort where it’s needed most.
I have sent card # 93879 on several occasions but especially for my friend’s daughter who is suffering from upper motor neuron disease. This beautiful young woman is married to a wonderful husband, and they have a lovely and helpful ten-year-old daughter and adorable, sensitive twin boys who are about to turn eight-years-old. I have also sent her the wildflowers card and just purchased #93128, the sweet relief card mentioned in your article. I have sent several of your cards to her mother, my friend of fifty years, who is suffering terribly from this horribly dreaded and unexpected disease slowly incapacitating and killing her daughter. Thank you for providing me with some comfort in the sending of these cards as the situation is so hopeless and just plain inexplicable.
My dearest friend who has battled valiantly many health challenges and now faces one hurdle again told me ‘ I know you have my back’.
What a beautiful thing to hear from her. She loves cards and I make a point of making sure I always send her cards for all important occasions to reinforce her knowledge that she is a huge, important part of my heart and ALWAYS has my love & support. Rejoice forever friends, YOU make life worth living.
I have a young friend (the granddaughter of dear friends from my high school days in the 1950s) who met the love of her life in law school. They were married in September,, 2021, both had great jobs at one of Atlanta, Georgia’s top law firms, and their futures looked bright. In March 2022, Stephen died suddenly at age 25. This was devastating to Carey, her parents and sisters, and perhaps even more so to her grandparents, who adore their 5 granddaughters. I am sending Carey a card every month, just to let her know she is in my thoughts and prayers. Stephen’s parents have invited her to stay in their home, because she feels comforted there, and the law firm has allowed her to work remotely. Cardthartic cards always have just the right message. I am honored to be a Cardie, and order hundreds of cards every year.