APR 23, 2019 – ‘Tis the season! This Graduation card quickly became a top-seller because, well, it’s fun and so true! :)
As graduation days have drawn closer, I’ve had to laugh as our Creative Coordinator, Liz Biswell, walked into the office and — responding to my, “Good morning! How’s it going?!” — chimed, “27 more days ’til I graduate!” then “18 more days ’til I graduate” and you get the idea. :) Liz joined Cardthartic nearly four years ago now, when she was a very precocious 16. And as many parents say, especially on graduation days, “It seems like just yesterday … ”
It was actually the summer of ’15. A neighbor and I were walking our dogs when I mentioned that I was looking for a personal assistant. To that, Jacqueline said, “You must meet my son’s friend Elizabeth.” I rolled my eyes, shook my head and said, “Your son is 16. No. I’m looking for a mature, responsible, resourceful and self-assured someone capable of taking charge and getting things done.” To which no-nonsense Jacqueline said, “You must meet my son’s friend Elizabeth.” :) After a few more blocks of singing the kid’s praises, Jacqui finally tried, “Jodee, Elizabeth is the daughter God never gave you.” I laughed and said, “God knew I would have been the world’s worst, most self-absorbed mother. But I do want the best for my brainchild named Cardthartic. Let’s meet Elizabeth.”
“Call me Liz” arrived carrying a two-inch-thick portfolio filled with her poetry, essays and short stories. If she didn’t look 12, I’d have guessed she was 40 — poised, polished, gracious and professional. It took me all of 10 minutes to say, “Who needs a personal assistant when Cardthartic can have a sharp new Creative Coordinator?!?” As I’ve gratefully teased Jacqui many times since, “Had I asked God for a daughter, I couldn’t have asked for a better one!” But, for the record, Liz has never felt like a daughter to me; more like “The Boss of Me!” I count on her amazing organizational skills to keep us all moving in the same direction, and she’s the best editor ever. I can’t wait to see the digital marketing mountains she’ll move in another “Eight more days ’til I graduate!” when she will focus solely on Cardthartic without also carrying a full class load on her way to straight A’s.
As you may experience with your own kids or those of friends and family members, it has been an honor and a pleasure to watch this whippersnapper stretch and grow and come in to her own. Last week, when she went to pick up her cap & gown and have this graduation pic shot, I thought, “How proud her mother must be!” And I suppose it should not have been a surprise when Liz said, “I gave my mother a card acknowledging all she’s done for me when I graduated from high school, and want to choose a perfect one again now. I may receive the Congratulations cards, but my mom deserves a lot of the credit.”
So true! How about this, Cardies: While you’re shopping Congratulations cards for the graduates, pick one to acknowledge parents, and that card will be FREE. Let’s acknowledge them for mustering the strength and wisdom, patience and energy day-after-day-after-day. Say congratulations on shaping your beloved kids’ character for so many years, only to be expected to let them go their own way and make their own mistakes while you somehow hold your tongue. And thank them for every minute of every day, leading by example. Oh how I admire those like Liz’s mom, Azucena, who pull it off so gracefully!
I was thinking that our fun Graduation cap card would be perfect for me to give Liz except that — working with a perpetual storyteller — she probably feels like the lectures never end! Here’s to all the would-be whippersnappers like Liz out there. May you find work you love as much as she does, and feel as valued as she is.
~ jodee stevens
founder & chief creative
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