June 24, 2021 — We know many of you have seen the very sad news about the high-rise collapsing on Miami Beach … we know because so many of you have kindly reached out “just checking” on us! Thank you. While we are safe and sound, you can imagine how news of this devastation and loss has shaken everyone in our neighborly little town of Surfside.

If you’re new to our Cardie Community, by “us” I mean my unflappable 97-year-old friend Hannlis who lives a few doors down in our solid little three-story oceanfront building. While Cardie Community Manager Felicia has been writing most of our Cardie Newsletters of late, I have written many times about life in this slice of paradise. “If I could choose any place to be quarantined,” many friends around the country told me during the pandemic, “it would be in your beautiful bubble!” Needless to say, that was not the case last night for the 50 families who live five short blocks down the beach from us. Heartbreaking.

Beyond wanting to let those concerned know that we’re fine, we want to reconfirm that the worst of times brings out the best in people. We know you know this Cardies — it’s part of what makes you Cardies! — but how incredibly uplifting it is to be told that you’re being thought of and prayed for.

By 6:30 AM this morning, kind Cardies from all over the country had begun sending their good energy our way. Ann John in South Carolina wrote a simple and powerful, “Many prayers for Surfside.” Retail Partner Bobbi Hahn emailed from her shop By Hand, Ink on Hilton Head Island to say, “I just wanted to check in to be sure you’re alright. What a horrible thing to happen, especially in the middle of the night, when people are asleep in their beds, hopefully dreaming sweet dreams. Prayers for all involved.” From northern California, Cardie Paige Baker emailed, “Just listening to the news about Surfside. I’m thinking you live near the fallen building. Are you and Hannlis okay? Praying you are.❤️🙏”

We always talk about how supportive and thoughtful our Cardie Community is. It’s days like this that help us see how fortunate we are to be part of this group of kindred spirits who know the healing power of reaching out.

Because it’s a top-seller, we know that many of you have sent the card above. Its message originated as a voicemail my brother left soon after we lost Mom in 2005, and it’s been a Cardie-favorite ever since. Of course Mike was one of the first to reach out to me again today. And minutes later, I received a text from his daughter, the woman I’ve referred to so often in Cardie Newsletters as “my clever niece Jennifer.”

Jennifer, her great husband Erik, and their spit-fire sweet daughter Madison have visited me so many times that they think of Surfside as their second home. Her message this morning, “Checking in. It shouldn’t take a tragedy to say the important things, but want to make sure you know how much we love you and are so grateful that you are in our lives.”

What a wonderful thing to say and to read and — just a thought — to convey to your own loved ones. In case you choose to do that with a card, between now and July 4th, we’ll donate all profits to the American Red Cross. Bless them and all the relief workers for giving their all down the street right now, and wherever and whenever they’re called next. Love to these heartbroken families, and thank you again for your concern.

Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative