This was a card that I had in my head as soon as I saw Shore Thing in the summer mini (well, the mosaic wasn't in my head, but when I saw this VSN challenge I thought that it would work well with what was in my head).
Three things stuck out to me when I saw this set. First of all, Michigan has been my home for all of my life, and I always loved making the 30 minute trip to Lake Michigan to see the sunset. The second thing that came to me was that when I was in elementary and jr. high I was constantly drawing beach scenes, and I loved making those dumb flying birds. I thought that I was pretty clever and cool for adding those to my beach scenes (therefore, I could not resist doing them on this card). The third thing that came to me is a rather sad and long story. I feel like sharing it, but I warn you it is long, sad and distrubing.
Two years ago my teaching mentor's (Delores) 20something year old son and his fiance were viciously murdered on a beach near San Francisco, CA. Delores was so proud of her son. He was quite an adventurer and he loved being in nature (I think he felt closer to God being outside). Anyway, in August 2004 Jason and Lindsey were working at a camp in CA (Jason is from MI and Lindsey is from OH). It was just weeks before they were supposed to be married (in September). They had one more week of camp before they headed home. Before they came home they wanted to see the bay area and the bridge. When they were on their way back to camp they stopped to sleep on a deserted beach. Nobody really knows what happened, but they were viciously murdered in their sleep. They were not robbed (wallets were still in their pockets, jewelry still on); they were just murdered as an act of pure evil. I personally think that it was gang related somehow, but that is just a suspicion. I just pray and beg God to bring the person or people that did this to Jason and Lindsey to justice (they will stand before God someday). Both sets of parents were just "rocks" during all of this. They just believed that God knew, and that was enough for them. That isn't to say that they didn't weep and mourn, but when they were in front of cameras (this story got national media coverage) they were pillars of strength and faith. Anyway, all of that to say that when I think of a beach these days I think of Jason and Lindsey, and I pray for their families. I will send this card to Delores later this summer when it gets close to the two year anniversary. I simply can't imagine what they are going through.
Sorry about the sad story, but sometimes it is good to "talk" about these kinds of things. Stamping is cheap (well, my husband doesn't think so) therapy.
Thanks for the great challenge.
Date: Friday, June 23, 2006 GMT Views: 1887
Favorited:22
Registered: August 28, 2005 Location: Living in Kansas, but my heart is at OSU with my DS! Posts: 15939
Fri, Jun 23, 2006 @ 9:59 PM
Your friend is blessed to have a friend like you. She will always morn her child, but with people near to her and remembering the loss will mean so much. What an awesome card. thank you for sharing your talent as well as your story. God bless all those involved.
Registered: March 20, 2005 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 77633
Sat, Jun 24, 2006 @ 4:57 AM
So often, as time passes, we tend to "forget" that people still mourn. Your card will be a lasting tribute to these two people. God bless all! Just beautiful!
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Registered: April 25, 2005 Location: NW Washington Posts: 4327
Sat, Jun 24, 2006 @ 7:39 AM
What Pam said!
"Your friend is blessed to have a friend like you. She will always morn her child, but with people near to her and remembering the loss will mean so much. What an awesome card. thank you for sharing your talent as well as your story. God bless all those involved."
------------------------------ Nikki Smith ~ Mom to David & KassidyMy Gallery
Registered: June 13, 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 110
Sat, Jun 24, 2006 @ 4:46 PM
I can't imagine losing a child; what devastation. I am glad to know that the parents of both Jason and Lindsey are "rocks". Faith can bring one through horrendous circumstances; I don't know how-it's a mystery. I remember when Jason and Lindsey were murdered as I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was all over the news. Such senseless violence...
I'm glad you told the story behind the card and I hope it helped you to make it as well as it does for Delores to receive it. It is a beautiful tribute.
Registered: June 11, 2006 Location: texas Posts: 449
Sat, Jun 24, 2006 @ 5:57 PM
I was very touched by your card and your inspiration for it. When we go through such tough things (of which none of my hardships has ever come close) God always provides. It's obvious one of his ways is with a friend like you.