As many of you may already know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in early August of this year. I was incredibly devastated by the shock of this diagnosis, and I did not handle my new reality very well. For several months I wandered around in a state of such terrified stupor that I had all I could do to put one foot in front of the other to get through each day.
I am fortunate to be blessed with scores of devoted friends but they are scattered all across the country, and my local support system is slim to none. When my dear friend Cindy (Mothermark) found out about this, she started a thread, the Maddy Mason RAK Request ( Forums at Splitcoaststampers ) which she has run with tireless devotion for close to 5 months. I was soon deluged with scores of gorgeous and supportive cards, along with many other beautiful and comforting gifts. It has been this endless outpouring of love, support, comfort, prayer and all the beautiful cards which have sustained me along my slow road to recovery, and have made such a profound difference in my life. I savored each and every card I received, and stored them all in shoe boxes, organized by state. I will be putting them all into scrapbooks to be cherished forever and shared with others. I figured I'd gotten some 150 cards, with many people having sent me 2, 3, 4 or even more cards.
For a long time I didn't think I would ever stamp again, and, in fact, this is the first card I have made in over 7 months. But I am feeling so much better and more optimistic in the last few weeks that I began cooking up a plan- I would stamp simple Christmas postcards that would double as thank you notes to everyone who had so kindly sent me a card. With fewer than 150 to send out, this seemed very doable. But last night I finally sat down and counted my cards, and was totally stunned to discover I'd received well over 350 of them! Wow! And they are still arriving nearly every day! I then realized that sending out nearly 400 postcards was simply an impossible task; I would not be able to do it. Therefore, this is my thank you card to all of you wonderful SCS Angels that I am unable to thank personally.
Card details are:
This is for Wednesday's Sketch Challenge #154. I chose the retired SU stamp set See with the Heart, as it perfectly epitomizes the depth of my gratitude for my beloved friends here on SCS. The main image of the lovely young woman (with the words Friendship and Hope printed next to her) is stamped with Olive Staz-On ink onto paper vellum, and the edges distressed by tearing, curling, and burning with a match. I then adhered the vellum to a photograph of a tree peony flower I took in my garden last summer. The edges are gilded with Versamark and Gold Detail EP. The fuzzy pink fibers are attached through 3 eyelets on the left hand side. I mounted this panel at an angle to 2 other pieces of CS, with all corners punched with the ticket punch. The background panels are stamped with the Fine Lace background stamp in Regal Rose ink. The sentiment, *An act of kindness is long remembered* expresses so much how I feel. It is embossed in Gold Detail EP, and mounted over the pink breast cancer support ribbon. Everything is popped up on foam tape.
Once again I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the love and cards that continue pouring into my mailbox almost daily. I do wish I had a way to send each and every one of you a personal thank you note, and a Christmas card, too!
Love,
Maddy
Date: Thursday, December 13, 2007 GMT Views: 3128
Favorited:19
Registered: June 21, 2006 Location: Still getting giddy over paper and ink in Colorful Colorado! Posts: 14180
Fri, Dec 14, 2007 @ 11:14 AM
Maddy, thank you for the beautiful letter and card...I am so thankful that you are able to stamp again, and this card is such a beautiful inspiration and testament to your journey.
Registered: October 5, 2005 Location: Tina and Lena Posts: 11872
Fri, Dec 14, 2007 @ 1:48 PM
Well I only got to page two of the wonderful comments and couldn't read any more as I sat here with tears in my eyes! Will have to come back and read them all later after I can see again. I'm so happy to see one of your most beautiful cards again. You have been missed and I miss your sweet comments, I can't wait to see them showing up again in my gallery! It will be 17 years for me Dec 18th as a survivor. I still get emotional thinking about it. I'm so blessed! Thank you for this beautiful card. Gee I had to wipe the tears away! lol Hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Lena
Registered: December 19, 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 15571
Fri, Dec 14, 2007 @ 3:00 PM
Well girlfriend...this is one of the best Christmas presents I could have! Such a fabulous card and a beautifully written letter. Words can`t express what I am feeling. I am proud to call you my best friend. You didn`t let this thing overtake you. Instead you researched day and night until you couldn`t keep your eyes open. Decided on a course of treatment and went for it. And such is the power of prayer and good wishes. You know I am always here for you. Such a wonderful sisterhood we have right here at splitcoast. I add my thanks to all who have taken an interest in your journey...and a HUGE hug and heartfelt thanks to Cindy. Love you Maddy! Oh and yes..I added your card to my favorites! ;-)
Registered: January 30, 2007 Location: Riverton, IL Posts: 1418
Fri, Dec 14, 2007 @ 7:13 PM
Thank you Maddy, for the beautiful letter and card. You're such an inspiration to all of us. We don't need a personal thanks, you just thanked us immensely with this gorgeous card and your loving words. God has truly been in this story, by all of the prayers and support you have received, with many thanks going out to Cindy.
I wasn't familiar with your work before, but look forward to seeing more of it. I'm proud to be part of the huge group of supporters you have.
I hope you're feeling good during the holidays so you can enjoy them. I pray that you continue on your road to complete healing and recovery. Have a blessed Christmas, and a New Year filled with good health and happiness.
Hugs,
Dottie
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Stamp Like You Mean It
Registered: March 24, 2006 Location: Posts: 38589
Fri, Dec 14, 2007 @ 11:00 PM
Maddy-you are such a dear sweet person! Your letter touched my heart and encouraged me. You have been thru so much, and yet you still long to give! That is a 'God-thing'! Bless your heart. Wish I could hug you right now. Thank God for all He has done! Keep stampin' and getting better!
------------------------------ Pat Smethers "The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden." Isaiah 58:11
What a thrill to see a Maddy Mason creation. It's been so long. I am thrilled to hear that you are feeling so much better and I hope your recovery continues in such a positive direction. Your card is gorgeous and soooooooooooooooooo much "Maddy" show in it. Thank you for your sweet note to all of us that love you and for letting us know how well you are doing. With much love to you, Maddy girl!!!! Kittie