Thursday, October 20, 2011

This is why....

I love the internet and the feeling of help and support that I find through some of my blogging friends.  Bear with me please....this is a bit of a story.  Yesterday my 21 year old woke me up with a text saying a college friend of hers had received a call in the night that his father had passed away from a sudden heart attack.  This man was probably about my husband's and my age.  His oldest son is 21, like our oldest daughter.  Anyway, she texted Joe and me, on her way to class, to let us know about this death and to tell us that she loved us.  She is 21 and just learned that sometimes calls come in the middle of the night when you least expect them and they can carry devastating, tragic news.  I talked with her then, after her class, and she asked me what she could say, how should she reach out...she didn't want to do the wrong thing.  And I told her a simple, "thinking of you" or I'm so sorry that you have to go through this..." is all that is needed.  That it is a beginning and it is honest and from the heart.  I say this because I lost my own father around her age and my friends didn't know what to say,  they didn't reach out.  We all lived in different towns, were graduating and starting our lives and some important people in my life, through their youthfulness, didn't reach out-just really, I believe now, didn't know what to say. ..how to make "that" call.   Last year, over 25 years after my dad's death, a girl that I hadn't heard from who was a close friend all through high school called me from across the country, after finding my name through the internet.  She called to apologise for not being there 26 years ago when my dad died.  She apologized for being young, and awkward.  And I appreciated her call.

After I talked with my daughter I scrolled through my "blog list" updates....just blindly looking at new postings and eventually went to Jill Foster's "Inspired by..." blog and she was focusing on a beautiful card by "Mel" HERE .  Jill then went on to show her card that she made HERE   .  And I looked at Jill's card, which was inspired by a card made by a crafter who lives a world away from me in Australia and I saw in her card the fences and the landscape of the farms around me.  Now, I am not a good sympathy card person.   My colors tend  to be too bright, and, sympathy cards are a hard card to make.  You know, they just are.  But I saw Jill's card and knew this man who died to be a farmer and then my card was "made"....all before I sat down to my crafting table.  And my sentiment? The exact same thing I said to my daughter...be honest, let your friend know that you are "thinking of them".  So, thank you Jill, and thank you Mel (whose card it turns out was inspired by another crafter, Kathy Racoosin, living in another part of our world. So, I went and looked at Kathy's card HERE and went pretty much full circle as Kathy used the same stamp that Jill used.  I ended up using/borrowing elements from Kathy, Mel and Jill's cards.  Thank you, all three of you, thank you all for helping me to make a difficult card.  I appreciate it.



I made two-slightly different than each other.  I hope I don't have to use the second one for quite awhile.

Be well,
Sheila
                                       

12 comments:

Brenda said...

Oh Sheila, you have really said this so well. These are tough times and one never wishes certainly, that young people need to go through this too soon in their lives. You advised your daughter in the perfect way a mother should! And I love your cards, just beautiful and gentle, gentleness is what is needed at a time like this. Hugs, Brenda

Kathy said...

HI Sheila, You are right...that was a long post and I read every word. Great wisdom and advice to your DD. Sorry that you daughter now knows what a call in the night can bring. Your card is perfect and beautiful and you are so kind to link us "three" and to give credit. I know this post must have taken a lot of time. I know your personal, heartfelt and beautiful card will bring comfort and love to the recipient. Hugs to you and your daughter, Kathy

Jill said...

My dear Sheila, your card is beautiful and sure to touch the heart of its recipient just as your post has touched mine. Sending big hugs to you and your daughter, my friend.

Rosemary said...

what an amazingly thoughtful post, sheila! your daughter is so fortunate to have a mom like you! it is sad that expressing sympathy to another person is something we humans have a hard time doing! your cards are lovely and so very heartfelt... i know they will provide comfort to those who receive them.

Pajalu said...

Hi Sheila, Thank you for your post today. I read every word of it (& shed a tear or two). I think that sometimes the "story" of a card is as wonderful as the cards themselves. I feel for your daughter & am sorry that she had to experience this. But you are such a wise & wonderful mum for her. Love the cards & I hope you don't have to use the second one for a very long time xoxoxoxo

Dawn T said...

Sheila.... you are so right about this wonderful "world" of crafters who inspire each other. Your post today touched me. I am so glad that your daughter has a wonderful Mom like you. And your cards are just so thoughtful

Elizabeth Allan said...

Sheila reading through your heartfelt post touched me. Filled with caring thoughts, concern and love. Your advice and card will mean so much during this time of loss.

Jenni's Jems said...

I read your post and was greatly touched beautiful cards x

Mel G said...

Sheila, I was really touched by your beautiful and thoughtful post. Big hugs and caring thoughts your way! xxoo

Sue Lelli said...

Sheila, what an inspiring post. You said it all so well. It really is difficult to know what to say or to say the "right thing," whatever that is. I LOVE both of your cards and the thought behind them. I LOVE the colors and the sentiment! I LOVE that you re-connected with your friend from so long ago who reached out now. FAB post. Thanks.

Maureen Morton said...

Thanks so much for sharing so much of yourself here, Sheila. it does us all good to pause and think about what is important and how we can help others. I also love the "circle" of inspiration for your card. You amaze!

Karen said...

Wow!!! Touching and amazing all at once. Beautiful cards from the heart!