Feb. 16, 2021 — In the last days of my mother’s life, my fun niece Jennifer traveled 1,200 miles to say her goodbyes to her Granny. As everyone who has faced those bittersweet moments knows, we shared the whole range of emotions in Mom’s ICU room that day and — when visiting hours ended and we headed for home — we left spent. We were not at all prepared to walk into my apartment and find three inches of water wall-to-wall.

The entire kitchen ceiling had crashed to the floor and water was still gushing from what we later learned was a tankless water heater mishap in the apartment above. Jennifer and I had been gone 12 hours at least, and the upstairs neighbor was vacationing in Thailand, so there was no way of knowing how long the mess had been in the making, but it was bad.

In damage-control mode, I left Jennifer, quick ran and turned the water off in our little building, called a plumber and dug out the key the neighbor had left me. Minutes later I was back surveying the damage, feeling at my wit’s end — where to begin?! I grabbed a broom and bucket to start moving the water into the courtyard when Jennifer walked in wearing her swim cap and goggles. Pointing to the mound of debris that used to be my kitchen, she said, “I think your housekeeper might have missed a spot!” We burst out laughing, she picked up a pail, pumped a fist and called us to action with, “Let’s bail!”

Oh, we laughed and laughed — to this day, we laugh at the memory — and it felt so good to have her there to break the tension, share my sadness and then dismay, and joyfully pitch in as if it were just another day.

So who wants to be a Jennifer today!? If you’re feeling fortunate to be in a good place, chances are you’re also holding a good thought for the millions who are without power. And all those utility workers and first responders of all kinds in harm’s way.

You may be praying for the safety of the nation’s healthcare workers, and feeling for parents everywhere trying to work from home while also overseeing the virtual classroom in the same room. And let’s not forget the teachers doing their best while facing an inbox full of emails from parents who choose to take their own frustration out on them.

Even if you’re headed out to shovel your own driveway yet again, you can be someone who listens to someone else vent, or who lightens the mood and makes them laugh. We know you, Cardies … you’re likely known as the most thoughtful in your family, the one that friends turn to for encouragement and who can always help find a way.

If you’re a Jennifer — one who is always there, bucket in hand, ready to laugh and bail — here are a few cards we think might help you reach out and say, “One foot in front of the other. That’s all we can do.” Just please take good care of yourself, too.

Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative