OCT 23, 2019 – When you read the new Pretty Words card above, who do you think of? Is it one person in particular, or do a bunch of favorite faces parade past your mind’s eye? :)

The message is one I feel honored to say that our longtime yoga instructor, Paola, penned to me on my last birthday. Now hand-lettered on this endearing new design, it’s one I plan to give my Miami Beach buddy Hannlis in a few weeks when she turns 96. Hehe, a Cardie recently shared that she now considers Hannlis part of her own family, having gotten to know this frequent source of inspiration through our newsletters. Just for fun, let me tell you a few ways this friend recently made my heart smile:

When Hannlis decided to sell her house a block away from the sea and move into an oceanfront apartment three doors down the hall from me, her son looked my way, winked and warned, “Good luck ever seeing your dog again.” :)

As she and I sat at the shore one evening, I was saying how much I admire and appreciate my close colleagues on our Creative team: Coordinator Liz, Creative Director Valerie, and Media Relations pro Valeria. The three are all 20-40 years younger than me, so I said to H, “They are Cardthartic’s future.” I must have then murmured, “Hmm, I wonder what that makes me?” In a heartbeat I heard this mentor say, “Jodee, we are the past only when we’ve passed. You are here to lead these talented young women into the future.”

Proud proponent of lifelong learning, Hannlis embraces technology like no other elder I know. Her Kindle’s ability to grow letters an inch high means, “I can still read!” (She’s pored over Michelle Obama’s biography three times. :) She counts on Siri to know everything from “How old is tennis great Roger Federer?” to “What time is high tide?” And her stargazer app, oh, don’t get her going!

As we dog-paddled in the sumptuous sea last Sunday, I asked, “With Nov 4th fast approaching, have you decided how you might like to celebrate this birthday?“ Quick came her reply, “I was thinking a roast,” which took me by surprise because she’s never been big on red meat. “You mean as in to eat?“ I asked. She paddled on and explained that, yes, she’d like to give our crazy Brazilian neighbor Darcy the opportunity to show off his grilling skills. “Ha! For a minute there I thought you meant you wanted all the guests to roast You,” I said, “as in tell outrageous jokes at your expense.” To which she threw back her gorgeous white head and laughed, “That sounds fun, too!” (:-D

Should you wish to be among the many admirers who will send H birthday wishes this year, use the address below so our Fulfillment Center can place them in one big box and do it up pretty. And, to defray the cost of your kindness, you’ll receive one birthday card FREE when you use promo code H96 before November 1st.

Happy Birthday, Hannlis
c/o Cardthartic
3102 Research Road
Champaign, IL 61822

Meanwhile, maybe take just another minute now to sit back and see who comes to mind when you ask yourself, “Who makes my heart smile and why?” Then do a little stream-of-consciousness below if you care to share with our greater Cardie Community. And on to 96 we all go! ??

~ jodee stevens
founder & chief creative