Sweet Celebrations

APR 30, 2020 – You come to us for cards and little gifts that acknowledge life’s joys and challenges but, boy, lately the challenges seem to have crowded out nearly everything else. A lovely email from Contributing Cardie Ann John reminded us that it’s more important than ever to keep celebrating life’s magical milestones, in a safe but still-joyful way. And she pointed out that, when it comes to savoring the sweet nectar in our lives, there may actually be certain advantages to the virtual celebrating required these days.

Ann initially wrote back on March 28 to say, “Thank you for the cards that say just what I want to — I just mailed another 33!” She went on to say how pleased she was with the hummingbird art print she planned to give her six-year-old granddaughter Eden the next day. “She’s had her eye on mine for some time, wanting it for her room,” Ann said. “Her baby sister is being baptized tomorrow and we’ll be giving the baby a pearl bracelet so, for Eden, this gift of the hummingbird print with its message about savoring the sweetness in life will be a perfect keepsake from the day.”

Because we’ve so-far published five cards authored by Ann (thus the distinction of being called a Contributing Cardie :), she knew we’d likely enjoy hearing this and seeing pics, too. “I’ve attached photos from the ‘dress rehearsal/photo op’ today so you can see the gown my great grandmother made for my grandmother in 1882,” she proudly shared. “Crazy to think what this sweet dress has seen in three centuries! Adding even more meaning to this celebration, my dear, late mother was born in Nov 1919 and our darling Kelsey in Nov 2019!”

“In attendance, we had two parents, two sets of grandparents, two pastors, two choir members, two musicians, and one special friend, Gabriel, who offered a beautiful baptismal prayer. All followed the required physical distancing of staying 10-ft apart. Though we were few, we felt our entire extended family and many friends with us, they were so present in thought and love and the precious messages they sent that day and for many following. Another advantage to virtual was that many more people than could ever have been physically present in our church were able to witness this event and send their blessings to Kelsey and her parents; the sacrament was replayed as part of all three of our Sunday services.

“As our family experienced leading up to this day, I know many people are facing the disappointment of not being able to celebrate their most important life events in the larger, far more social and ceremonious ways they might normally like — I’m thinking of the high school and college seniors who will not feel the satisfaction of being handed their diploma to proud applause, the engaged couples whose wedding plans are being postponed, expectant mothers who will be dropped off at the hospital door by soon-to-be-fathers not allowed in and, of course, the now more than 60,000 families who will not be able to gather at gravesides to say their last goodbyes.

“To these families, I would say that, if you have your heart set on things being the way you envisioned them six weeks ago, yes, you are going to feel disappointment that they are going to be much different than you might like. And, if you’re anything like me, you will surely miss being able to reach out and touch an arm when you’re talking, feel the warmth and texture of fabric beneath your hand, being close enough to see the sparkle in someone’s eye when the two of you are speaking. But this time of not being able to gather together has only made me want to let those I love know how important they are to me. I want to share words of support and encouragement, praise, congratulations and solace without holding back. I want people I care for to know how truly and deeply I care and that — when we do hug again — it is just going to feel amazing.”