I know that mailing cards make a difference, I tell you that making cards make a difference, and today, I was the beneficiary of my card making a difference. This morning, I received a phone call from a lovely, older woman who I mailed a card to thanking me for her card. Her husband of 73 years passed away. His health has been failing slowly, but he said goodbye to his bride sooner than she expected. I knew Flo & Bruno only from sitting near them at church. My mom and I referred to them as our “church friends” and I looked forward to seeing them each week. They always had smiles, a joke and a handshake from Bruno telling us to stay out of trouble. Bruno had been in rehab for a while after a surgery and Flo had some health issues of her own. They had not been to church in a few months and we had been keeping tabs on them through their neighbors. We got the call that Bruno passed away the day after Memorial day at the age of 93. A fitting day because he was a both Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient. I attended Bruno’s funeral and left feeling the love of their marriage and family: 3 sons and many grand and great grandchildren.
Two weeks later I mailed Flo a card expressing my sympathy and observation of her family’s love. That was three days ago. She called me this morning and told me that she called the operator to find my number because she wanted to thank me for her card. We had a very nice conversation and I was touched she called me. She told me that at two in the morning, after she gave Bruno a glass of water, he took her hand, kissed it and told her to “stay out of trouble”. He closed his eyes and passed away. Never would I have heard this beautiful story of goodbye if I had not mailed her a card. I made the card over a year ago and it was just sitting in a pile with other cards waiting for an occasion to be mailed.
I learned today that not only did I touch her heart by mailing a card, but she touched mine by calling and telling me her appreciation and her love goodbye story. Please mail out your cards. Reach out to those who may need a hello, a well wish, a thinking of you. Sometimes you will hear back how your card made a difference, as I did today. Sometimes you will not hear back, but know that your card does make a difference.
I’ll end this post with what was written on Bruno’s in loving memory cards that were handed out at his funeral. I think we all will want to be remembered this way.
A beautiful life that came to an end, he died as he lived, everyone’s friend In our hearts a memory will always be kept, of one we loved, and will never forget.
This is the card I mailed to Flo. I made several of them last year using the Rooted in Nature stamp set.
Thank you for sharing this. This past year we lost both my husband’s dad and my stepdad. I was surprised by how many people did not send sympathy cards. But, I was also surprised by the people who went out of there way to send one. One of my mom’s friends from TX and her daughter both sent me cards. I haven’t spoken to either one of them for close to 30 years. It meant a lot to me. I don’t think we’ll ever know how it brightens someone’s day or gives them a “hug.”
I’m sorry for your two losses this year Michelle. I wonder if people just don’t know what to do or say, or maybe tell themselves they will do it later, and then feel it may be too late when are ready. There is never a perfect thing to say, rather just to acknowledge the loss and your feelings. Your story reminds us that it is never too late to reach out to express sympathy. The comparison of receiving a card and a hug is a beautiful one and one that we should remember. Thank you for sharing.
I’ve tears in my eyes, Christine. What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing that! ~ Carol D
I didn’t mean to make you cry Carol, but I know that you get it. Keep making and sending your beautiful cards!