OCT 3, 2019 – We’ve just published this wonderful antidote to the national news … and doesn’t its message ring beautifully true?! I’ve ordered a dozen to send to the friends and family members who — through words and deeds — help me keep my faith in humanity. A few months ago we spotted the message on the website of writer and storyteller Valeria Palmertree who, I’m delighted to say, not only agreed that we might design a card around it, she also signed on to use her communications skills to help Cardthartic grow our Cardie Community in new and exciting ways. One of the most insightful people I know, Valeria has a lot to teach us about seeing the good in humanity.
Last week, she left her home office in Virginia Beach to come work with Creative Coordinator Liz Biswell and me in Cardthartic’s Creative Studio on Miami Beach. You likely know how a week of non-stop planning sessions goes — it was great yet draining. By end-of-day Friday, we were whooped, and in need of some real R&R. Valeria flew home and, knowing hard-charging Liz generally kicks back with her boyfriend on Friday nights, I left the office early for an outdoor jazz concert in my hood. When the musicians started tuning-up onstage, I grabbed my phone to make sure the ringer was off, and there was a text from Liz. She’d sent me a pic of my nearing-96-year-old friend and neighbor Hannlis walking into Aldi?!?
As I later learned, the two had run into each other as Liz was leaving the office; H told Liz she planned to walk to the Publix grocery three blocks away, and wondered if Liz would mind carrying her walker down the stairs for her. “Not at all,” Liz had said, “and it looks like it might rain; why don’t I drive you to Publix?” Thrilled, Hannlis said, “Great, then I’ll walk myself home!” Now, because Publix has positioned its bread aisle right inside the entrance, our budget-conscious nonagenarian could not resist immediately pointing out to 21-year-old Liz that, “At Aldi, this loaf of raisin bread would be priced at least $2 less!” To which Liz said, “Well, let’s go!”
Now maybe it’s just lazy me, who never wants to drag myself through a grocery — much less two, 20-minutes away from each other — on a high-traffic Friday night. Or maybe it’s become infinitely easier than I recall to get a walker and precious passenger in and out of a small car on a rainy eve. Or perhaps 21-year-olds no longer want to ditch their elders in favor of more thrill-seeking company on a Friday night, but I thought this was pretty amazing of Liz! (Then again, Liz is pretty amazing.)
This is to all say, I’m grateful to Liz and Hannlis and Valeria, too, for giving me countless little reasons to keep my faith in humanity every day. And I’m guessing you have your own faith-restorers and uplifting brushes with goodness to share, too. Please do!
~ jodee stevens
founder & chief creative
Love this story! Love your cards and their messages! But I prefer the old style card….softer photos with a “less is more”, calmer style. The new style seems to SHOUT at whomever is reading the card and that isn’t always my intent when sending a card. Keep doing what you do! I was finally able to convince my local grocer to stock your cards and they are selling. Woohoo!
Haha, how do you really feel about the look of our new Pretty Words line, Linda?! ? Seriously, thanks for giving us the benefit of your perspective. And how cool that you so convincingly used your voice that your local grocer now carries Cardthartic, too. Thank you! Re Pretty Words: While we don’t aim to be all things to all people in all situations, we do want to continually broaden our range. Can you believe, the Passages look and voice you and so many others love has been going strong for nearly 25 years now!? Today, it’s fun for us to see the appeal that the new Pretty Words line has for so many Cardies who had not even been born 25 years ago! And let me just share with you the irony that we had a very hard time selling Passages cards in the beginning … so many people rejected them, saying, “They’re too quiet and understated. And have too much boring white space!” ? No worries, L, we’re creating more of all four lines all the time, and input like yours helps us find our way. Keep going and growing, we always say! Thanks again.
~ Jodee
Thank you for sharing this story. More good goes on each day that we don’t know about-much good. It’s a comfort to know. I love your cards which I first found at “Where the Sidewalk Ends” bookstore in Chatham, Cape Cod. I’ve since ordered many more and grateful that I can still shop for your cards online since that bookstore is 499 miles away from me (although I’m happy to give them the business!). Many thanks for these life giving cards.
Ahh, love this story about 4 amazing people. Jodee, you are the fourth for being such an amazing story teller and always telling us what’s good in this world. You all renew my faith in humanity! Keep on keeping on!
YOU dear jodee stevens are one of those faith restoring people for me !!! and i imagine for a lot of people !
i always feel grateful when i receive an e-mail from you because i know i will feel some lovely emotion
or be inspired or receive something for thought during my morning “stare” (my form of meditation :)—-i learned
it from my friend eunice)
thank you for embracing your gift and “running” with it.
the world is a better place because of YOU !
as my friend (thinking of him today) used to say “have a good day and if you can’t have a good have the best day you can”,
.
I love your stories as much as I love your cards. Thank you for all you do to make this world a kinder place. It’s time for me to restock my stash so that I can send a little love in the mail at a moments notice.
Thank you, Jodee … for sharing this tory. Optimism prevails!
P.S. Kudos to Liz and Hannlis, as I, too, hate going to the grocery store under any circumstance!
Boy, Jodee, do we need this message today! YOU and your team are the people that restore my faith in humanity. Whenever a missive comes from Cardthartic, I love to read your wisdom because I know that you put everything into perspective. Your words both soften and brighten my day. And now I am going to buy some raisin bread.
I so appreciate Cardthartic developing cards reflecting issues today. And you find a way to say it perfectly. I am always surprised — though I shouldn’t be by now — how your cards resonate within my soul. I cannot express my gratitude fully for all you do to make the world a better place with the cards you develop. Don’t ever question the impact your work has on the world.
Great story about faith and humanity and Faith in Humanity! There is nothing like a good Hannlis story to move me along. May we all meet more people like Hannlis though I fear there may be only one and may the world have bunches of young ones like Liz who find the value in spending time with those who have really lived. I plan to be just as feisty when I grow-up! Thanks for the “share” — I needed it!!