Feb. 9, 2021 — Back when my dad was alive and well on Florida’s Gulf Coast and I was still living in Chicago, he’d call on a brutally cold day in the Windy City, blow right past hello and open the conversation with, “Hooooow’s the weather up there?!” I’d shake my head, roll my eyes, and try hard to keep a straight face while asking, “Dad, is your TV broken? ‘Cause, otherwise, you and I both know you’re sitting there glued to the weather channel and just calling to gloat!”
We’d laugh, I’d whine, and then he’d turn my whole cold and dreary world around by stepping outside. Knowing he loved walking around barefoot, I could almost feel that velvety yard of his under my feet as I listened to him say, “I considered bringing all the orchids in from the lanai when the temps dipped a few days ago, but we’re back up in the 80s today.” This was before smart phones, yet I could still see, hear and feel the warmth and beauty so clearly through Dad’s telling. “Hear those birds, Jo?” he’d ask, “So pretty. They’re at the feeder helping themselves to my backyard buffet. And remember these?” he’d ask, holding the phone so I could hear leaves rustling as he snapped lemons from his lovely old tree
Because my dad’s little lawn & garden show helped me Think Spring when I really needed it, below you’ll find images of the gorgeous season that awaits under all that ice and snow. And for those of you who know our cards well, here’s a fun brain teaser: Before clicking through to see the card on which the pic appears, can you recall its respective message? (No worries if not! We have 730 different designs, after all :)
Enjoy this little spring reverie courtesy of the gifted photographers who grace us with their artistry. Oh, and that Little Reminders card up top, it expresses what I always felt from my dad. How I would love to be able to send it to him as a Thinking of You today. “Open arms … mine are always here for you.”
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
Thank you for those reminders that there will be a spring as we hunker down with 6 below temps here in WI.
My dad lived in FL too & our conversations would be similar to yours. He was quite the character & would often sing to me over the phone. I could use that happy tune right now.
What a lovely memory, Jodee. Thanks for sharing it, and thereby your Dad, with us. Have you thought of gathering your newsletters together, adding other reflections, and publishing a memoir? I hope the answer is “yes.” The Cardthartic story is unique and your writing so strong and beautiful. GO for it! It did occur to me that you might rightfully feel that the cards themselves are your memoir . . .
Thank you Jodee for the sharing! As you tell that story I can feel that velvety grass under my feet too. Missing my Dad just hearing your words! No wonder Cardthartics is so successful and so meaningful in its offerings . . . they have you!
It’s always a joy to receive your emails. They are always uplifting and positive. Thank you for sharing. Of course, your cards are the absolute best!