May 20, 2025 – This new card is on my radar now because the lovely sentiment — another by Contributing Cardie Jessica Swaim — would be soothing in a Feel Better design, too. If you read this Cardie Newsletter, you know I’ve been on quite the “health journey” lately, tussling with a cunning kidney stone that’s wreaked havoc for nearly a month now. After seven trips to ER and two overnight hospital stays, I’m happy and relieved to be feeling back around 95%.
Are you aware that — on any given day — 800,000 of us are being cared for in the country’s 6,000 hospitals? Collectively, we’ll make 400 million visits to an emergency room this year! Yikes. As one who has recently been there and done that, I can attest to receiving a simple, thoughtful Feel Better card working wonders. I will never again tell myself, “Well, she’ll be over this before my card reaches her.” Instead I’ll think, “Hey, receiving my card among all the medical bills will make his day!”
Back to Jessica’s message, I especially love the line, “in the garden of give and take.” There’s nothing like being sick to remind us how fortunate we are to have so many givers in our life! (And how challenging it can be to only be able to take.) Beyond appreciating the goodness of friends and family, I’ve gotten a real lift from receiving cards from other Cardies I’ve come to know through this community. Because what they’ve penned in those cards seems to me to be as beautifully universal as personal, I asked our Product Manager John to below pull together a few of the cards sent by these caring Cardies, alongside their messages. Spoiler alert: A few new Feel Better cards will undoubtedly result! And you’ll find great thought-starters for Feel Better card messages you may pen in the meantime. Some great lines here!
To this tender Little Reminders card, Contributing Cardie Toni Hoepf added, “Hoping you are on a smooth path to recovery. Take it easy and be well soon!”
Contributing Cardie Penny Schiller had the idea for the pussy willows card and helped with its art direction and messaging, too. “Isn’t it wild how we bump aimlessly along, ignoring our good health until we lose it for a bit?!” was her penned message to me. “Hope the ER visits are a thing of the past and this finds you on the upswing. Here’s to bouncing back quickly!”
“What an ordeal!” rightly wrote Nancy McGinn, who also authored the great card. “I hope this finds you pain-free, and that all this is behind you soon.” And she tucked in a celebratory balloon for good measure. :)
Teri Meskin was sweet to note that I have been missed in Cardie Yoga. “I’m sorry you’ve been laid up for so long, and I hope that when you read this card, you are truly on the mend and getting back to doing the things you enjoy the most.”
Now a top-seller, this dear card was written by Contributing Cardie
Carrie Wolfgang, who also wrote, “Thinking of you as well as the Cardie Community — all that positivity and uplifting in one place makes the world a bit brighter and a whole lot happier! I’m sending healing thoughts and prayers for you. Prayers for your medical team, too; may they be rested and creative in their approaches to getting you upright and on your way once again.”
Always so thoughtful Contributing Cardie Lauren Rowell wrote, “What a challenging and undoubtedly painful situation you have been struggling through. My heart goes out to you, and my prayers are with you.” And to make me laugh, she added, “The funny horse chomping on the fence feel better card comes to mind! You’ve found something worse/more painful than major dental work! To better days, peace, and pleasure.”
I’ll close with the wonderful comment Contributing Cardie Michele Russo left on the Cardie Newsletter in which I’d toplined what was happening and how supportive Cardie Madeline Stockbridge had been to share her own ureter challenges with me. 🫤 Michele wrote, “Being open and willing to share our health stories reminds us all of how important it is to take care of ourselves. And each other!” Indeed. Stay healthy!
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
May 20, 2025 – This new card is on my radar now because the lovely sentiment — another by Contributing Cardie Jessica Swaim — would be soothing in a Feel Better design, too. If you read this Cardie Newsletter, you know I’ve been on quite the “health journey” lately, tussling with a cunning kidney stone that’s wreaked havoc for nearly a month now. After seven trips to ER and two overnight hospital stays, I’m happy and relieved to be feeling back around 95%.
Are you aware that — on any given day — 800,000 of us are being cared for in the country’s 6,000 hospitals? Collectively, we’ll make 400 million visits to an emergency room this year! Yikes. As one who has recently been there and done that, I can attest to receiving a simple, thoughtful Feel Better card working wonders. I will never again tell myself, “Well, she’ll be over this before my card reaches her.” Instead I’ll think, “Hey, receiving my card among all the medical bills will make his day!”
Back to Jessica’s message, I especially love the line, “in the garden of give and take.” There’s nothing like being sick to remind us how fortunate we are to have so many givers in our life! (And how challenging it can be to only be able to take.) Beyond appreciating the goodness of friends and family, I’ve gotten a real lift from receiving cards from other Cardies I’ve come to know through this community. Because what they’ve penned in those cards seems to me to be as beautifully universal as personal, I asked our Product Manager John to below pull together a few of the cards sent by these caring Cardies, alongside their messages. Spoiler alert: A few new Feel Better cards will undoubtedly result! And you’ll find great thought-starters for Feel Better card messages you may pen in the meantime. Some great lines here!
To this tender Little Reminders card, Contributing Cardie Toni Hoepf added, “Hoping you are on a smooth path to recovery. Take it easy and be well soon!”
To this tender Little Reminders card, Contributing Cardie Toni Hoepf added, “Hoping you are on a smooth path to recovery. Take it easy and be well soon!”
“What an ordeal!” rightly wrote Nancy McGinn, who also authored the great card. “I hope this finds you pain-free, and that all this is behind you soon.” And she tucked in a celebratory balloon for good measure. :)
Teri Meskin was sweet to note that I have been missed in Cardie Yoga. “I’m sorry you’ve been laid up for so long, and I hope that when you read this card, you are truly on the mend and getting back to doing the things you enjoy the most.”
Now a top-seller, this dear card was written by Contributing Cardie
Carrie Wolfgang, who also wrote, “Thinking of you as well as the Cardie Community — all that positivity and uplifting in one place makes the world a bit brighter and a whole lot happier! I’m sending healing thoughts and prayers for you. Prayers for your medical team, too; may they be rested and creative in their approaches to getting you upright and on your way once again.”
Always so thoughtful Contributing Cardie Lauren Rowell wrote, “What a challenging and undoubtedly painful situation you have been struggling through. My heart goes out to you, and my prayers are with you.” And to make me laugh, she added, “The funny horse chomping on the fence feel better card comes to mind! You’ve found something worse/more painful than major dental work! To better days, peace, and pleasure.”
I’ll close with the wonderful comment Contributing Cardie Michele Russo left on the Cardie Newsletter in which I’d toplined what was happening and how supportive Cardie Madeline Stockbridge had been to share her own ureter challenges with me. 🫤 Michele wrote, “Being open and willing to share our health stories reminds us all of how important it is to take care of ourselves. And each other!” Indeed. Stay healthy!
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
Leave it up to Cardie world to reach out with so many kind and thoughtful words. We’re all relieved that you’re 95% better and hoping that 100% is just around the corner. I even got a card from Penny Schiller after you wrote me up in the newsletter. Such a caring community you have created, Jodee. Glad it’s surrounding you now.
Hey JODES!
My heart lifted when I saw the newsletter posted in my In Box, as I just knew it was good news! So glad to hear you are on the road to a full recovery. Whew! This will be a great phase to put behind you. I’ve been up at our place in Maine this week, and not a day has gone by that I haven’t wondered how you were. The silence was disturbing. Here’s to making some noise!
Your newsletter brought to mind that the Watering Can card or the Wildflowers card would be the perfect mini gift if I included a packet of shasta daisy seeds in the card.
It would be like receiving a bouquet-to-be.
Jodee – You are my Wonder Woman so I am certain that your strength & good vibes helped you recover. I am always thinking of you & wishing you well.
I want the card that says
“What an ordeal!—– I hope this finds you pain-free, and that all this is behind you soon.”
Jodee, I’m not sure you will get this as Captcha says I’m not human. (Ahaha) I am in Australia caring for my daughter during/after a difficult surgery. I read your first email about this and my heart ached since my husband gets kidney stones and it is very painful trying to deal with them. I’m so sorry you have been going through this. One of the times. husband Gene was in the ER , a nurse stood over him and said “I’ve given birth naturally, I’ve been shot with a gun, but kidney stones are the most painful things I’ve ever experienced.” Then the three of us, nurse, Gene, me, all burst out laughing and laughed until tears ran. The laughter felt great so I wish you some laughter along the way. Please be gentle and kind with yourself. Be patient, it takes time. For now, I’m sending healing white light and my love and concern. Jacqueline (Jackie)