September 6, 2022 — After what hopefully felt to you like a wonderfully long, restorative weekend, it’s back to work we go … unless you’re like Contributing Cardie Marilyn Steidle and your big heart and clever head are always happily working overtime!
Marilyn proposed the message that became the card above. While it was immediately clear that she’s great fun, we learned that she lives life with an enviably uplifting attitude, too.
Asked what prompted her to send us the message, Marilyn explained, “When I retired after 32 years in education, I heard many retired friends say that they couldn’t imagine how they’d once managed to get everything done at home back when they’d gone off to work every day, they felt so busy in retirement. I, on the other hand, seemed to be doing nothing all day and yet it took me all day to do it!
“When I shared that sentiment with one of those friends, she hooted and said, ‘That’s good! I’m gonna use that!’ I knew that my favorite card company likes to publish messages written by their customers, so I submitted it.”
Marilyn’s message cracked us up, and when we happened across the silly pic of Cookie the Pom with her own Instagram account, well! (And is it just us, or do you think Cookie resembles that kookie talk show host from the ‘80s, Sally Jessy Raphael?)
When we sent the proposed card layout to Marilyn to say we’d love to publish her message, she emailed back to say, “Hooray for me!!! What a surprise! I had forgotten that I’d submitted anything. What a perfect picture and what a perfect sentiment, if I do say.” 😉
And when we asked how she might like a dedication to read on the card back, she quickly replied, “With love to Jim. (Jim is my hubby with Alzheimer’s. Thought we would have many golden retirement years together, but it was not to be.)”
Awed by the strength of her love and vulnerability, as soon as Marilyn’s new card was off press, we sent samples. Her response: “I am so excited to be famous!!! What is that saying, ‘a legend in my own mind.’ My daughter was here when I opened the package, and asked her husband later, ‘Did you know Mimi was famous?’ It was a big day here at our house; clearly, we are easily amused.” 😆
As lighthearted as Marilyn and her card message are, “On a more serious note,” she said, “I have been thinking what we could say in a card for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s. Along the lines of ‘thinking of you,’ but more personal, more poignant. A comforting card for those of us in the trenches.
“Our little granddaughter, age seven, has only known her ‘Pop’ with Alzheimer’s,” Marilyn tenderly explained, “and she loves him as is, unconditionally. While Jim’s now in Memory Care, she thinks he’s away at camp :) In light of his progression, I have been protective of her and not taken her for a visit yet. When I warned her that Pop might not know her anymore, she never skipped a beat, saying, ‘That’s okay, Mimi, he will remember me in his heart.’ Out of the mouths of babes.”
When we marveled at Marilyn’s ability to honor emotions — the joy and the pain — she graciously said, “Thank you so much for your kind words. I try to live in the moment and not waste time wallowing; life is too short. Even though it is a feel better card, I really like your Pup in the Tub. Its sentiment, ‘Things could be worse … at least you don’t have fleas’ sort of sums up my outlook on life.”
A few days later, this dynamo reached out to us again to thoughtfully say, “I am about to send off one of your beautiful condolence cards to the family of a resident in Jim’s Memory Care cottage who has just died. Every week at lunch, I would sit between ‘Mark’ and Jim; both need extensive help with feeding. My husband no longer talks, but I would chat away with Mark as both were fed. At the finish of every lunch, Mark would look at me and say, ‘How do you know who I am?’ He was a sweet and gentle man. I will miss him. And I’m sure a Cardthartic card from a complete stranger will please his family.”
It seems to me, Cardies, that we can all enjoy and appreciate Marilyn’s “I do nothing all day” sentiment … but that doesn’t mean we have to believe it. ❤️
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
September 6, 2022 — After what hopefully felt to you like a wonderfully long, restorative weekend, it’s back to work we go … unless you’re like Contributing Cardie Marilyn Steidle and your big heart and clever head are always happily working overtime!
Marilyn proposed the message that became the card above. While it was immediately clear that she’s great fun, we learned that she lives life with an enviably uplifting attitude, too.
Asked what prompted her to send us the message, Marilyn explained, “When I retired after 32 years in education, I heard many retired friends say that they couldn’t imagine how they’d once managed to get everything done at home back when they’d gone off to work every day, they felt so busy in retirement. I, on the other hand, seemed to be doing nothing all day and yet it took me all day to do it!
“When I shared that sentiment with one of those friends, she hooted and said, ‘That’s good! I’m gonna use that!’ I knew that my favorite card company likes to publish messages written by their customers, so I submitted it.”
Marilyn’s message cracked us up, and when we happened across the silly pic of Cookie the Pom with her own Instagram account, well! (And is it just us, or do you think Cookie resembles that kookie talk show host from the ‘80s, Sally Jessy Raphael?)
When we sent the proposed card layout to Marilyn to say we’d love to publish her message, she emailed back to say, “Hooray for me!!! What a surprise! I had forgotten that I’d submitted anything. What a perfect picture and what a perfect sentiment, if I do say.” 😉
And when we asked how she might like a dedication to read on the card back, she quickly replied, “With love to Jim. (Jim is my hubby with Alzheimer’s. Thought we would have many golden retirement years together, but it was not to be.)”
Awed by the strength of her love and vulnerability, as soon as Marilyn’s new card was off press, we sent samples. Her response: “I am so excited to be famous!!! What is that saying, ‘a legend in my own mind.’ My daughter was here when I opened the package, and asked her husband later, ‘Did you know Mimi was famous?’ It was a big day here at our house; clearly, we are easily amused.” 😆
As lighthearted as Marilyn and her card message are, “On a more serious note,” she said, “I have been thinking what we could say in a card for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s. Along the lines of ‘thinking of you,’ but more personal, more poignant. A comforting card for those of us in the trenches.
“Our little granddaughter, age seven, has only known her ‘Pop’ with Alzheimer’s,” Marilyn tenderly explained, “and she loves him as is, unconditionally. While Jim’s now in Memory Care, she thinks he’s away at camp :) In light of his progression, I have been protective of her and not taken her for a visit yet. When I warned her that Pop might not know her anymore, she never skipped a beat, saying, ‘That’s okay, Mimi, he will remember me in his heart.’ Out of the mouths of babes.”
When we marveled at Marilyn’s ability to honor emotions — the joy and the pain — she graciously said, “Thank you so much for your kind words. I try to live in the moment and not waste time wallowing; life is too short. Even though it is a feel better card, I really like your Pup in the Tub. Its sentiment, ‘Things could be worse … at least you don’t have fleas’ sort of sums up my outlook on life.”
A few days later, this dynamo reached out to us again to thoughtfully say, “I am about to send off one of your beautiful condolence cards to the family of a resident in Jim’s Memory Care cottage who has just died. Every week at lunch, I would sit between ‘Mark’ and Jim; both need extensive help with feeding. My husband no longer talks, but I would chat away with Mark as both were fed. At the finish of every lunch, Mark would look at me and say, ‘How do you know who I am?’ He was a sweet and gentle man. I will miss him. And I’m sure a Cardthartic card from a complete stranger will please his family.”
It seems to me, Cardies, that we can all enjoy and appreciate Marilyn’s “I do nothing all day” sentiment … but that doesn’t mean we have to believe it. ❤️
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
Jodee. I just love Cardthartic and all of you creators. You always find the sunshine in your creations. I feel like Marilyn does – so busy (with lists even) and then wonder how did I do so much in my younger years. I think we do what we have to do, and now I space out “my activities” differently than before.
Thanks for always making me smile, and to Marilyn, I am also a Mimi.
Thank you for Marilyn’s message. Love and hugs to this amazing woman and her beloved Jim.
Keeping a sense of humor is the key to a happy life.
Marilyn has the key.
I marvel at this strong, brave and compassionate woman. Marilyn is another Cardie who has inspired me. Thank you Marilyn. for a good start to my day. Pamela.