NOTE: I drafted this blog post yesterday, Sunday, July 17, but decided to hold off on posting it. I am now posting it as-written on Sunday, because it's important to me that it be read as I wrote it on that day.
I have a card to share today and will include it at the end of this post. But today, my post isn't really about the card. It's about the very special friend for whom I made the card. I uploaded the photo a couple of weeks ago, shortly after I made it and sent it to her. I didn't post it here right away because I wanted to make sure she got it first. Last week I got a sweet message from her thanking me for the card.
I have a card to share today and will include it at the end of this post. But today, my post isn't really about the card. It's about the very special friend for whom I made the card. I uploaded the photo a couple of weeks ago, shortly after I made it and sent it to her. I didn't post it here right away because I wanted to make sure she got it first. Last week I got a sweet message from her thanking me for the card.
Although I first "met" my friend Chris through our mutual involvement in the online papercrafting community, it turned out that she lived only about 30 minutes away from me. We eventually met "in real life" and would get together every so often (usually involving food and scrappy shopping).
Chris has been very open about her fight with cancer for the past almost 2 years. She fought it with grace, bravery, and an amazingly positive attitude. It seemed at one point like she had kicked its ass, but then it came back for more, and came back nastier than ever. It was less than a month ago that she told me about her latest battle, but she seemed very positive and upbeat about a new, promising course of treatment. It was around this time that I made the card below for her. I was so glad to get the note from her that she had gotten it.
The call from a mutual friend came as a complete shock. Chris lost her cancer battle this morning. I'm a bit sketchy on the details, but I think that it was an abrupt and premature end that nobody was expecting to come so soon. It was a privilege and a pleasure to know Chris and to call her my friend. Throughout her ordeal, she displayed such grace and resolve, and at times even managed to face it with humor.
I had been planning to share the card below at some point, but just hadn't gotten around to blogging it yet. I did not expect to be sharing it under these circumstances, but as I have been thinking about little else but her today, it seemed like a small but fitting tribute. The card was intended to encourage her and let her know how much my family and I have been thinking of her and praying for her, and I hope that it served that purpose and brought a bright spot to her day.
Products are PTI (Beautiful Blessings, Daydreamer, woodgrain Impression plate).
I will miss you, Chris. You were an amazing and talented woman, a devoted mother and wife, and a good friend. You were taken from us too soon. Heaven definitely scored an angel today. ♥
23 comments:
Debbie I am sorry for the loss of your special friend, they do not come around too often and when they get their wings and fly away it is very hard for us left here to be without them. I know this card made her feel so special and put sunshine in her day as I am sure you did on many occasions. Peace be with you today and always as you remember Chris.
Debbie, this is a lovely card, and Im sure Chris was happy to receive it. Even though I never met Chris in real life, I have thought of little else since receiving the sad news of her passing. My thoughts, and prayers are with her family, and friends.
Debbie, your post is really beautiful, as is the wonderful message of your card! I'm so glad she was able to see it before she left us.
It's just beautiful Debbie. I'm sure that meant so much to her, as your friendship must have. I'll miss her daily. I'm glad to have gotten to know you, too, although wish it could have been under much better circumstances. :(
You are fortuanate to have been able to meet such a wonderful woman. I am sure she found comfort in this card and your friendship.
very pretty card!! love the colors and the texture
Debbie, what a beautiful card and blog post. I didn't know Chris, but I had been following her blog for a long time for inspiration. I will miss her. Thanks for sharing.
I am so sorry about your friend. You were both lucky to share a friendship. Your card is beautiful and I am sure it meant a lot to her.
TFS
Ang
Debbie, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I'll be keeping you and Chris's family in my prayers.
I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Beautiful card. I bet she loved it.
Debbie - what a touching post. I too will miss her greatly. She has been a source of inspiration and joy in my life. She has shown me to always be positive no matter what comes along. I know she greatly valued this card that you made for her. She spoke of it a few times and carried it with her scrappy to go items.
Debbie,
The card you made for Chris is beautiful. The sentiment now seems so appropriate; Have no fear. I am sorry for your loss of a good friend.
Debbie, my husband and I had a good friend who had a long, hard fight with an aggressive cancer. The passage you put on Chris' card was one of her favorites as she dealt with all the really hard treatments, testing, studies, etc. She would quote this passage of Isaiah over and over to herself. I'm sure that Chris loved this card - it is beautiful. I am so very sorry to read about her passing. I will definitely keep her family and friends in my thoughts and prayers.
Debbie, you post is so touching as is the card you made for your dear friend. Cancer takes too many lives too soon. I was told at the age of 17 that I had cancer. It was a day I will never forget. Now 23 years later by the grace of God I am still cancer free. I trully believe everything happens for a reason. We often will never know what that reason is...but we have to trust in God and know it is all part of his plan. I pray you find comfort in knowing she is now healthy and cancer free and you will be reunited again someday.
Hugs.
So sorry for your loss, Deb. I know you will cherish this card forever. Thank you for sharing it with all of us and allowing us to share in your grief. The words are so appropriate. I pray that God will use them now to encourage you.
Oh, Debbie, I am so sorry for the loss of your dear scrapping friend. By the looks of her blog, she was a Talent with a capital "T." Just think what your card meant to her, and how it must have brought a smile to her face. It's truly beautiful.
so sorry to hear about your friend... hopefully she took comfort in your beautiful card.
Debbie - so sorry to hear this news. I loved following Chris' blog and her work was exceptional. You invited me to some of your shopping adventures and I wish I would of had the opportunity to meet this wonderful woman in person. Thoughts and prayers for her family & friends. Love, Amy
Debbie, I send you hugs and prayers for comfort. Chris truly was a special woman dear to so many. She was a blessing to all of us. xox
So sorry to hear that you've lost a sweet friend. The card you made for her is gorgeous and so fitting - I'm sure it touched her heart beyond measure. I know it would touch mine. It sounds like she led a positive life from which we should all take example. ((hugs))
What a beautiful tribute, and a beautiful card to match. So sorry for your loss.
What a beautiful card and I'm so glad she actually received it. I'm so srry for your loss Debbie... There are no words at times like these, but quiet support it a wonderful thing.
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