DEEPEST SYMPATHY

My friends lost a son and a brother.

All they have left are the memories.

Judging by the words spoken at the

Celebration of Life this morning,

many people have many memories.

Good memories.

Loving memories.

Rest in peace, Ronnie.

SAYING GOOD-BYE IS DIFFICULT

A family recently had to say good-bye

a husband and a father.

These three cards were sent

so they knew they were being thought of.

Rest in peace.

A FRIEND

A friend from long ago passed away about a month ago.

Jann lived in Florida and the plan

is to have her cremains join the waves.

Our folks were best friends

but even before that, we were good friends

in junior and senior high school.

Many memories to remember.

RIP, sweet friend.

You no longer suffer.

ANOTHER SYMPATHY CARD

Sadly, I had to create one more.

My friend lost her mother a few weeks ago.

I wasn't able to go to the viewing

but did go to the service and it was beautiful.

The gentleman that talked about Wanda's life

was so uplifting and spot-on.

Once again, Sandi, my deepest sympathy.

IF IT'S SPORTING A BUTTERFLY, IT MUST BE A SYMPATHY CARD

Long time ago,

I decided I would put a butterfly or two

on all of the sympathy cards I created.

This started when I received an invitation

to a butterfly release at Hospice.

The same Hospice where my mother (and father) died.

I was thinking the other day

that here we are at the end of March

and I've (fortunately) only had to create

one sympathy card.

Then BAM!

Five at once.

My heart goes out to these families.

I know what it's like!

Were you able to find all the butterflies? 

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO THROW A SYMPATHY CARD IN

Sad as it is, it happens.

It happens to all of us when we lose a loved one.

Gina lost her mom

and I was asked to create a card for her.

I'm hoping it's a bright spot in her day.

One more sympathy card

It's always a sad time,

but sometimes even worse

when it's a child - a teenager.

So many things she will not experience.

So many things her parents won't witness.

Rest in peace, sweet one.

Deepest Sympathy

My financial man suddenly lost his father

resulting from complications to cancer treatments.

They anticipated a full recovery down the road,

but things took a different turn.

So sad!!!

This went out to the Boone family

just last week.

Deepest sympathy!

Butterflies

And you know why.

They are always put on my sympathy cards

and these two are no exception.

Joy lost her son.

Zelda lost her husband.

Both families will have some adjustments

as they go through their grieving process.

I'm sorry for your losses.

Just a little behind ...

These cards have been sitting

in my Photo Gallery for ages.

Shame on me!

First up is a thank you card.

Sent this to a new friend

for something special she did for me.

And another thank you card.

Nance thought of me in the nicest way.

She gave me a large box of papers

her employer was going to throw away.

If you know me, you know I'll put every scrap to good use.

Come to find out,

this dog is just like her sister's dog.

The one Nance dog-sits for when the family is out-of-town.

Lydia celebrated a birthday

... last month.

Told you I'm a little behind.

Don't like making these.

Don't like the reason for making these.

But I like the way it makes recipients feel.

Deepest sympathy DJ and Darlene.

Next time, I hope to be on time.

31 Days in January

By the 24th,

four of my friends lost their mothers.

One thing is for sure.

These friends of mine?

Their lives will never be the same again.

Never.

PS ... the fourth card somehow didn't get her picture taken.

Birthday, Thank You, Sympathy

But will begin with a birthday card.

Amie celebrated and received this one.

Not a birthday cake,

but this pie looks pretty tempting!

Hoping to keep the ball rolling this year

by sending out more thank you cards.

I have a few more that I need to create

but it's been so cold in The Playground,

I just couldn't get them done.

Soon.  Very Soon.

Tough time of year to have a loved one leave us.

My friend lost her grandmother a few days before Christmas

and received this one.

Deepest Sympathy

The first two are so unusual

for sympathy cards.
But not for the people receiving them.

You have to understand.

The people are all involved in the carnival.

It's their life.
Probably a card without a carnival theme
would be unusual.

This one is for the loss of a brother

with "a big ferris wheel."

This one is for the loss of a mother

"with a carnival theme."

And this one is for a wife that lost her husband.

They wanted a farm theme.

And, yes, true to my style,

all three have a butterfly.

Sympathy

It's no secret.

These are not my favorite cards to create.

But they are so necessary!

I read somewhere that there's no time limit

on sending a sympathy card.

And sometimes I think maybe later is even better.

You know what's nice?
It's always nice to include a story
or a memory.
The grieving person will appreciate it.
I know I did!

Of course, these could be sent

for just about any occasion

but I had sympathy in mind when I created them.

Why?

Because of the butterflies.

It's my trademark.

All sympathy cards I create have a butterfly.

(Can you find them?)

With deepest sympathy

My friend, John, lost his father.

Sympathy cards are not my favorite to create

but I couldn't not make one for John.

I am still holding the family in my thoughts.

I'm behind ...

I was on time - even early
on getting the cards finished.
Just not on time for posting them here.
Shame on me!

Going to start out with two sympathy cards.
Don't like making these
but I know how important it is to receive.
A few weeks ago, my mother's best friend
joined her husband and my parents in heaven.
I'm sure they are having a grand time
playing cards!

Diane retired and got this lovely card.

Art had another birthday.

Mark and Julie celebrated another year together.

What I love about the not-necessarily newlyweds

is that they are still in love

and aren't afraid to show it.

Just look at these two love birds.

Aren't they endearing?

My grandson, Andy, turned 29 the other day.
HOW can that be?
I couldn't resist using this picture.
Wish I could remember how old he was then.

Our good friend, Dave,
recently celebrated.
We always sit with them at the outdoor concerts
so I thought this image was perfect.

Brian the chemist celebrated.
How apropos that I found this image.

Tiffany recently added another year.

I wrote in the card to Beverly
"you'll be my friend 'til the cows come home."


I told you I'm late in my postings.
My good friend, Pat, celebrated in May.
Yes, I am that far behind.

I hope to do better in the future!

Grieving is painful

Yes, it is!

A few of my friends grieve.

Hopefully, a beautiful sympathy card helps,

knowing that others care.

Even when a pet leaves us,

the grieving is painful.