Remain Hopeful

Jan. 8, 2021 — It’s what we Cardies do. Remain hopeful … and, when needed, assure friends and family that better days are coming for them, too.

To wrap up this week on a soothing note, we thought we’d share this brand new card with you. Not even in the stores yet, it’s one of 70 new products we’ve been working on these past couple of months. As synchronicity would have it, while Cardie Community Manager Felicia and I were working on this story yesterday, the following email from thoughtful Cardie Paige Baker arrived.

Having attached a pic of our Mama Said card that she was sending to a friend, Paige said, “Just when we thought everything was going to be fine, a day like yesterday happened. Thank you, Cardthartic, for providing us with the nicest ways to express shared feelings. As always — ahead of the game!”

In our “Thanks for showing us that what we do matters, Paige” reply, we attached the Remain Hopeful image above, and back she kindly came with, “I love it!!!! Thanks for leading the way. ❤️”

That exchange made me think back to the Fall day Felicia first showed me the joyful little girl image she believed belonged on a card. A former music teacher, Felicia explained, “The look in her eyes reminds me of the optimism and resilience I saw in so many kids over the years. And she personifies what we say on the back of every Little Reminders card: ‘By their very being, kids show us how to live freely and love fully. May these little reminders inspire us to follow their lead.’ I’m not yet sure what her message for the world is exactly,” Felicia mused, “but I know it’s something about how, no matter how dark things get, light will always come shining through.”

That was such a comforting thought to hear back in late November, as covid cases and post-election tensions both continued to rise. Hours after signing off with Felicia, I was puttering in the kitchen and only half-listening to an hour-long interview with former President Obama. I perked up when he was asked: “If you could say one thing to the American people, what would it be?” His answer: “Remain hopeful. There are better days ahead.” In that moment, it was as if the little girl was standing right there in the kitchen with me; her face was all I could see! And this new card came to life that day.

You’d think after birthing 70 NEW! cards, boxed notes, art prints and magnets, Felicia and I would want to give product development a rest, but a message from Contributing Cardie Valeria Palmertree keeps tapping us on the shoulder, wanting to be a new Pretty Words design one day. Valeria had already authored seven Cardie-favorite messages before the beautiful new When in Doubt, Breathe. And she’s said, “It often times takes the worst to bring out our best.” Stay tuned.

On that Remain Hopeful note, we wish you and our nation a safe and peaceful weekend, Cardies, and here are a few cards that might serve to soothe. Take good care.

Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative