With sympathy.

Posted by Michelle on September 23rd, 2011 . Filed under: Cards, My Mind's Eye, Papertrey Ink, Sympathy .

Have you ever met someone, a total stranger to you, who with very little effort has left an indelible mark on your soul…forever?  It doesn’t happen often, I know.  But I met just that person this week.  His name was Billy.  We had work-related conversation and then he shared something:  3 years ago his world fell apart. 
“My wife and I had a tremendous marriage of 35 years….and then she became terminally ill.”
  He was by his beloved’s side and watched her die over the course of 3 years until finally she passed on.  I didn’t know this man before this day…and he proceeds to tell me that when you see your love go through that, and when you lose them, it puts things in to perspective.  Things that you thought were important really aren’t and things that you didn’t think were important really are.  I suppose that’s cliche’, but I was fighting back tears, lip quivering as he’s telling me all this so strongly, so matter-of-factly.   And when I was alone I lost it.  And telling my husband about it later that evening, I lost it again.  Just one of those moments in life that stops you, you know?  Complete stranger and I wanted to hug him.  But I don’t think it would have been appropriate in the situation we were in.
I suppose me writing this is my way of giving Billy a hug.

Anyway, so here I am with a sympathy card.
I’ve got more MME patterned paper, some burlap from Viola Mahr’s ETSY shop, and a little PTI stamp (and ribbon and cardstock, but that’s like all the time).

WithSympathyButterfly_09_01_11

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6 Responses to With sympathy.

  1. Lara Carson

    This is beautiful!

  2. Marybeth L.

    Tears as I write this. Its beautiful what Billy told you , its odd how I needed to see this post at this time. God works through all of us , I guess. And yes, just last week at Disneyland I was sitting between to ladies I did not know and we talked like long lost friends. They both had lost sons one was my sons age and one was only 18 . I had tears but wanted to just put my head down and sob. Well, that day with those two moms is a long story , but yes they have put a mark on my soul and I will never forget.
    Your card is beautiful, Michelle, sorry this was a long comment.

  3. carol (krillsister

    Breathtaking! Love your card. A lot of thought went into this one.

  4. Jen

    Exhales. So moving. Such a heartfelt card. Beautiful.

  5. Ang

    Beautiful card. The burlap adds a nice homey touch.
    TFS
    Ang

  6. Jessie McLaughlin

    Lovely card Michelle and wow to your story!! I love the embellishments you used on your card!

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