Oct 15, 2024 — “Let’s just get through this one” is the message printed inside this adorable new design … and who can’t relate?! While it’s not a card meant to be sent to those who are heartsick and sadly digging out from under a hurricane, it just might bring a grin to family and friends with whom we routinely dish the dirt.
The adorable mole and its encouraging words came to mind last Friday when I confronted the first-world problem of leaving a fourth as yet unreturned message for the orthopedic surgeon who is supposedly eager to schedule my hip joint replacement (yippee). And again on Saturday when, from my mailbox, I pulled three cards wishing me Merry Christmas 2023?!? Sunday, too, when my Cardie neighbor Marianne popped by on her way for a long walk “to shake off the gloom of the morning shows” that I had just painfully watched and felt, too. Chin up. Smile on. Better days are coming. Let’s just get through this one, indeed!
It was Cardie Mary Jo Hansen who proposed the great message and heartily approved our pairing it with the cute mole. “When I was in junior high in Bismarck, ND,” this now-Contributing Cardie described, “my favorite place was the corner pharmacy where they had a wonderful selection of cards. I loved walking up and down the aisles to find just the right one. It always elevated my mood to read through all the sentimental and touching verses and find one that I knew was perfect for the person or occasion I had in mind.
“After devoting many years to the counseling field,” Mary Jo shared, “a few years ago I decided to focus on my lifelong passion for writing. In the midst of considering different literary areas, it became clear to me that I have always LOVED cards. A good friend with whom I talked about my passion said, ‘So, you’re a card snob?’ and I couldn’t help but laugh. I explained, ‘Well … let’s say I am very picky. I won’t send just any card. I really think it through. I want the person to know I am choosing/giving/sending this particular card just for them, heart to heart.’
“It was then I realized that many of the cards I had bought and received over the years had been from Cardthartic,” she said. “It was evident that this was my tribe. I wanted in!”
Needless to say, Mary Jo was thrilled to hear we wanted to publish her on her first time up to bat! And it was beautiful to read how this encouraging card verse she submitted had come to be. “Through the years of life events of going to college, raising a family, juggling responsibilities, moving, starting new jobs, stretching the finances, addressing health issues, and the consistency of life’s good ole-fashion curve balls, it was easy to feel overwhelmed. I have kept journals for 40 years, and when I read back through them, I could see that the angst that felt insurmountable at the time was often resolved, improved, or a new direction was sought and ultimately found.
“Life is unpredictable,” Mary Jo acknowledges, “so trying to have an attitude of remaining positive has been important.” And she wisely adds, “So is being realistic that — some days — getting through that day is a success in and of itself!”
With thanks to Mary Jo for the great perspective and her bright smile, we now have to ask: Cardies, is there something you remember saying that seemed to hit the spot when trying to lift loved ones up through frustrating times? Or maybe memorable words of encouragement that helped you dig out of an emotional rut of your own? Speaking for this caring Cardie Community, we’d love to read what you have to say! Onward and upward to us all.
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
Oct 15, 2024 — “Let’s just get through this one” is the message printed inside this adorable new design … and who can’t relate?! While it’s not a card meant to be sent to those who are heartsick and sadly digging out from under a hurricane, it just might bring a grin to family and friends with whom we routinely dish the dirt.
The adorable mole and its encouraging words came to mind last Friday when I confronted the first-world problem of leaving a fourth as yet unreturned message for the orthopedic surgeon who is supposedly eager to schedule my hip joint replacement (yippee). And again on Saturday when, from my mailbox, I pulled three cards wishing me Merry Christmas 2023?!? Sunday, too, when my Cardie neighbor Marianne popped by on her way for a long walk “to shake off the gloom of the morning shows” that I had just painfully watched and felt, too. Chin up. Smile on. Better days are coming. Let’s just get through this one, indeed!
It was Cardie Mary Jo Hansen who proposed the great message and heartily approved our pairing it with the cute mole. “When I was in junior high in Bismarck, ND,” this now-Contributing Cardie described, “my favorite place was the corner pharmacy where they had a wonderful selection of cards. I loved walking up and down the aisles to find just the right one. It always elevated my mood to read through all the sentimental and touching verses and find one that I knew was perfect for the person or occasion I had in mind.
“After devoting many years to the counseling field,” Mary Jo shared, “a few years ago I decided to focus on my lifelong passion for writing. In the midst of considering different literary areas, it became clear to me that I have always LOVED cards. A good friend with whom I talked about my passion said, ‘So, you’re a card snob?’ and I couldn’t help but laugh. I explained, ‘Well … let’s say I am very picky. I won’t send just any card. I really think it through. I want the person to know I am choosing/giving/sending this particular card just for them, heart to heart.’
“It was then I realized that many of the cards I had bought and received over the years had been from Cardthartic,” she said. “It was evident that this was my tribe. I wanted in!”
Needless to say, Mary Jo was thrilled to hear we wanted to publish her on her first time up to bat! And it was beautiful to read how this encouraging card verse she submitted had come to be. “Through the years of life events of going to college, raising a family, juggling responsibilities, moving, starting new jobs, stretching the finances, addressing health issues, and the consistency of life’s good ole-fashion curve balls, it was easy to feel overwhelmed. I have kept journals for 40 years, and when I read back through them, I could see that the angst that felt insurmountable at the time was often resolved, improved, or a new direction was sought and ultimately found.
“Life is unpredictable,” Mary Jo acknowledges, “so trying to have an attitude of remaining positive has been important.” And she wisely adds, “So is being realistic that — some days — getting through that day is a success in and of itself!”
With thanks to Mary Jo for the great perspective and her bright smile, we now have to ask: Cardies, is there something you remember saying that seemed to hit the spot when trying to lift loved ones up through frustrating times? Or maybe memorable words of encouragement that helped you dig out of an emotional rut of your own? Speaking for this caring Cardie Community, we’d love to read what you have to say! Onward and upward to us all.
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
It’s been a while since I ordered, but we moved to another state and now I’m looking forward to getting these WONDERFUL, UPLIFTING cards.
I sent one of the few cards I had left for my friend whoever in North Carola. When she received my card she said, “DEB, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CARD. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT.”
Over the past year, my dear friend lost her husband, and a year later she survived the hurricane. We have been friends since 7th grade, next year we both turn 70. Your cards touch so many people and they are the only ones I send anymore. I need to order more, but I just want to say, THANK YOU for such a WONDERFUL gift you give with this style of cards.
I love it! Cheers to “Card Snobs” everywhere! I May it continue to be a select group of picky people!
Thank you Mary Jo!
MaryJo’s sentences sound like potential future cards to me:
“Life is unpredictable…so trying to have an attitude of remaining positive has been important.”
“Being realistic that — some days — getting through that day is a success in and of itself!”
The best chin-up advice I ever received was when I was diagnosed with breast cancer 32 years ago and my aunt who raised me said
“I raised you to be strong”.
As I was ending my day yesterday, Jodee’s newsletter came in. I thought, ‘this is so nice to read at the end of my day.’ In answer to Jodee’a question I thought, ‘can’t think of a single thing!’
Then, a text came in that was clearly not for me; I knew it was a woman because she gave her name. I responded ‘Wrong number.’ Text response: Sorry, I may have dialed the wrong number. It’s really embarrassing. I hope I didn’t disturb you. My response: It wasn’t a problem at all. Nice talking with you! Text response Thank you very much. You seem like a friendly and kind person. Very few people are so polite these days. My response: Let’s agree that we are two of the “good ones.”
Texting continued.
Annie: We always meet better people without realizing it. Meeting new people is always a good thing. Let’s introduce each other. My name is Annie. I’m 36 years old
Donna: I am Donna and I am 81! We may not have much in common yet good exchanges can be heartwarming even when they are brief.
Annie: Yes, I agree. You have a good age full of stories and experiences. I don’t think age is important. I believe chatting with you will help me learn more. Because you have a lot of life experience
Donna: Sure, Annie, we can chat. I’d like to figure out “how” later, maybe tomorrow. I’m ending my day soon. Talk to you soon! Donna
Some coincidences deserve to be shared. I thought this might be one of them. Donna