It's Not All Black and White

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

When a card is more than a card

What are the hardest words you've ever had to say? For me, to date, it was "My mom has cancer". She called me Monday night and told me. I couldn't get the actual words out when I tried to tell my husband. It took me several tries and a few minutes. She's been having a lot of pain for months in her lower back and can hardly walk. She shuffles along with so much pain. Finally, the doctors gave her an MRI and the results came in. She has cancer in her bones. They still don't know what kind or where it's coming from. She is the strongest woman I know, and I can't imagine this happening. I'm trying not to worry too much or be too hopeful until we know more. I went to visit today and help her do the grocery shopping. We live about and hour and 45 minutes apart, and it's never seemed as far as it does now. I made this card for her today.
I used CPS's Sketch #26. I colored directly on my Stampendous stamp with Stampin' Up markers (turquoise, banana, pixie pink, and olive), spritzed very lightly with water to remoisten the ink, and stamped. I went back over the flowers with the markers to keep the colors nice and dark. I used vellum card stock cut with Fiskars scalloped scissors for my sentiment. I attached the vellum with a little bit of clear scotch scrapbookers glue under the flower and two wee dots under the sentiment. The "faux stitching" was done with one of the All in a Row stamps. My slot punch wouldn't fit where I needed it. So for each slot, I punched two holes with the anywhere hole punch and used a hobby blade to cut between them.
This was one of those moments when a card is so much more than a card. I wanted to let my mom know how much she means to me and that I'll be there for her in every way throughout this illness. But we're not an emotional family. I didn't want to tell her in person and get all sentimental and emotional. She doesn't need any more tears right now. So I left the card with her when I was leaving for home today. I hope she liked it. She saw it as I was leaving and said "Ooh, that's a pretty card." I said "Thanks. Bye."
Card Recipe:
5-1/2" square
Stamps: Stampendous Tall Blossoms, Stampin' Up Curvy Verses and All in a Row
Paper: Papertrey white, SU vellum card stock, old olive, Petals and Paisleys
Ink: black stazon, tempt. turquoise, old olive, barely banana, pixie pink
Other: anywhere hole punch, sweet & sassy ribbon, hydrangea and petite flamingo primas, making memories crystal brad, fiskars scalloped scissors

34 comments:

sophia landry said...

Very cute! All your cards have been a delight to look at. I especially like how clean and crisp this looks with the white base and the splashes of color!

Tammy B said...

oh. i'm so sorry about your moms diagnosis. what a thing to hear. hopefully your blogging and crafting will help you deal. your family will be in my prayers.

Alhambra Club said...

I am so sorry to hear about your mother, if you don't mind if you could email me her addresss I would like to send her a card. My thoughts and prayers are with her.

Sew Club said...

Oh, Bethany... Those were also the hardest words that I ever had to say. I have tears in my eyes right now for you, because I remember that time vividly, and how incredibly hard it was for my family and I. Please know that my prayers will be with her and you. Hugs!

Adelina said...

I am so sorry to hear about your mother. It's so hard to imagine our parents ever being sick. I bet your mom is going to really appreciate the card you made her. Sometimes you don't need to say anything, just being there for her is enough.

Sonya said...

So sorry to hear about your mom....please know you and your family are in my thoughts.

Beth Thomas said...

I am so very sorry to hear about your mother. Please know that she and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Julee (Vervegirl) said...

Oh, Bethany, what a tough thing to swallow! Your family is definitely in my prayers. It's a lovely card - I'm sure it brightened her day.

Melissa said...

That's some tough news! Hang in there and be sure to keep us in the loop so that we know if there's anything we can do...

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to hear about your mom having cancer. I'm sure God
will help you through this very tough time. He will guide you both
through it.

On a better note, I love your blog
and all your great cards. I subscribe to it and read it every day. Barb

Amy said...

Oh Bethany, I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom. It's never easy to hear about our parents becoming ill. It tears you apart inside. I will be thinking of you and praying for your strength. You will need it to travel along this journey with your Mom. On a side note, now is the perfect time to let go of what your family was(not emotional) and get emotional. God's giving you this opportunity to show your Mom just how much she's meant to you over the years. You can't let another minute with her pass without giving her a great big hug, looking her in the eyes and saying "I love you, Mom, and I'm gonna be here with you!" Hugs to you, girl!

Amy

Angel said...

I'm sorry to hear about your mom. I'll be praying for her and for you. And I agree with Amy... It's okay to be emotional even if it's not something you've been used to. I hug people who aren't huggers and they actually like it (I think). God bless..

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful card...I'm sure it means the world to her. (((((HUGS))))

Dana said...

Oh Bethany, I'm so sorry. I just can't imagine. I wish you strength to help your mom in any way possible.

Unknown said...

Bethany, I am so very sorry to hear about your mom. Please know that my thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family. {{{Hugs to you!}}}

Kacey Elliott said...

What an incredible thing to hear! I can't imagine what you are going through or what your mom is going through right now. It seems that cancer is rearing it's ugly head everywhere these days. The counselor in me wants to advise you to say what you really have in your heart; chances are your mom is having those same thoughts right now and she just might want/need you to open the door so you can share the tears "together." Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.

Charmaine (CharmWarm) said...

Bethany, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers! The card is beautiful and I'm sure it meant a lot to your mom.

Kendra Hernandez said...

Bethany, I am so sorry to hear about your mom! I will be thinking about you. The card is beautiful and I am sure she absolutely loved it! :)

Anonymous said...

Oh Bethany, I am so sorry to hear about your mom's illness. I will keep your and your family in my thoughts. Your card is beautiful and I am sure she loved it.

Anonymous said...

((((Hugs))) and prayers for your Mom and for you and your family. Your card will mean so much to your Mom.

Swamp Tulip said...

I'm keeping you and your mom in my thoughts and prayers. My mom recently had a major health problem so I know first hand what you are going through. Be sure to take care of yourself through all of this.

Hugs,

Teresa

Rose Ann said...

Bethany, I am so very sorry to hear about your Mother's illness. I will be praying for you and the family through this difficult and emotional time. Hugs to you!!

Your card is very beautiful, and I'm sure it meant a lot to your Mom.

Anonymous said...

{{{Bethany}}} I am so sorry to hear about your mom!! I hope she fights this quickly! Your family is in my thoughs! Your card is beautiful!

Joan said...

Oh my heart breaks reading about your Mom. I can just feel her pain. It is so tough when our Mothers turn out to be frail and human -- we seem to need them even more. If you send me a PM at splitcoast (Joan B) I'd love to send a card to her.

Lauren (mytime) said...

Your post has ME in tears. Im sorry your family isnt very open, but things like this can change people. Whatever you do dont let that stand in the way of things you feel you want to say or should say!

I have learned so much about life since my little girl got cancer. I hope this will bring your family closer.

You are all in my families prayers.

Your card is beautiful.

Heather said...

What a sweet idea -- I am sure she loved it. I know how hard this is, my mom had breast cancer several years ago and I still find it hard to say. Hang in there and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Erica Payne said...

I am sorry about your mom Bethany. I wish there were something else I could say. My prayers are with you and your family.

Jennifer Magreevy said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom!!! My mom has survived ovarian cancer, an encephalocele on her skull (essentially an opening of her skull), and regular seizures. She is the strongest person I know, and she says she feels that God knows who is strong enough to handle these things. She also feels that she was given all these hurdles so that her daughters (my sister and I) wouldn't have to go through them. I sincerely hope your mom gets through this, and your family is in my prayers!! **hugs**

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear about your mother Bethany! My prayers are with you and your mom through this!

mum-on-the-run said...

Great card!

Love your take on the CPS sketch!

Unknown said...

Oh Bethany, I am soooo sorry to hear your mums news and for you too, I remember when my Mum telephoned and told me this, I went into the office at work and bawled like a baby, so I know the shock you must be in, lots of hugs winging there way across the seas to you and your mum xxx

Anonymous said...

Oh, Bethany! I'm so sorry! I feel bad that I've been so busy and am just now checking in and hearing this news. I went through cancer with my own Mom and my heart really goes out to you and her. I know she appreciated and was touched by this beautiful card you made to express what's so hard to put into words. My heart is with you.

Allison Rankin said...

I am sorry for your mom's diagnosis...my BFF's dad just passed last week from cancer of the kidneys, and although not my dad, it has upset me nonetheless. I hope she, and by extension you, do your best in weathering this challenging news. Keep your chin up...

Kim said...

Oh Bethany, I am so sad to read this post. I send you big hugs from all the van der Sanden's.