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It’s World Card Making Day!
I imagine at times, we all question whether we make a difference in this crazy world or wonder what our purpose is or are we doing enough. I recently found myself asking all these questions, and found myself feeling a bit blue as I pondered the answers. Then, I received an email from one of my customers who has been facing many challenges in her life. I'm sharing her words below (X-ing out names for privacy)
Hi Mary,
I have been wanting to email you and thank you for your kind words and prayers. XXXXXXX shared that you commented on FB. I have missed watching your videos which I so enjoy.
My husband XXXX, who is 67 and just retired last year, had never been in the hospital, nor surgery, nor ER visit ever, and this diagnosis over the past 3-4 weeks have been devastating to us all. He had no prior signs or no headaches, nothing! He never even takes Tylenol and takes only 2 prescriptions and very healthy exercising every day for an hour or so, walking, biking, and working out in the gym at the Y plus all the yard work and gardening he does.
He has had 2 brain surgeries, as they didn't get all the tumor the first time. The second surgery a week ago Tuesday was 5 hours and they were able to get it all. Unfortunately a glioblastoma is treatable but not curable. I have sat with him from 8 to 8 every day for his 3 hospitalizations. He is home now since Sunday afternoon. He sees a radiation oncologist tomorrow morning and will see his medical oncologist too.
What I wanted to share with you is that he was so very appreciative of every nurse, doctor, assistants, housekeeping, cafeteria, etc. and asked for caregrams to send to every single one of them for the amazing care and love he felt. He also told every single person that they would receive a "Mary Knabe" card. When he got home after the second hospitalization he wanted me to start working on them. Luckily I had a set of 20 thank you's to send out. He did not want me to send anyone a boxed card. Since his surgeries he kind of fixates on one thing and this has been his big heart wanting to thank everyone for helping him and making him feel like God's arms around him through this.
I just wanted to share that with you.
He even asked me last night, as miserable as he was, I haven't heard you watching Mary on videos for a while. He said "You need to do that!"
Wow! reading this email message with tears in my eyes, I realized, "Yes, I do make a difference in this world. Yes, what I do has purpose." To think that something as simple as making cards can have such an impact not just me and my customers but also their families and those they encounter. This woman has sent more handmade thank you cards than she can count for all those who have been caring for her husband, from doctors and nurses to cafeteria workers and hospital housekeeping staff at the direction of her husband. AND to think that her husband is watching out for her well being by suggesting to her she need a little stamp therapy amazes me too.
I called my friend to offer support and after a phone conversation over an hour long, I realized we are supporting each other in ways we did not expect. I'm grateful to this customer and her friendship and for all the connections and friendships I have made in my 14 years as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. I love being a part of something bigger than myself and can use my Stampin' Up! journey to make a difference in the lives of others.
This customer turned friend and I went on to exchange a few more emails and blessing each other with kindness. How grateful I am that we first connected through Stampin' Up!
I'm attaching a few photos (with my customer's permission) of her beautiful granddaughter who wanted to make cards and color like me while watching a "Mary Knabe video". LOL…boy, did this fill my heart. Again, spreading joy through stamping and card making. Who knows, perhaps, this little girl will one day be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator herself. No doubt, though, she will continue to brighten the lives of her family and grandparents and friends with her sweet cards and kindness.
Happy World Card Making Day, my friends. You make a difference in my life. I appreciate you all.
Today is World Card Making Day. and you're invited!
Mark your calendars now and join us on 1 October for a free, virtual, craft-along party in honor of World Card Making Day! Gather your friends and family and join the Stampin’ Up! community as we connect with one another and make three different cards. Registration is FREE—it’s also the best way to stay up to date on all event details.
Hope you'll join the Stampin' Up! community for this FREE online stamping event! Don't forget to register with this link: https://bit.ly/SUWorldCardMakingDay
Happy World Card Making Day from one Stampin' Up! Difference Maker to all of you SU! Difference Makers.
