Teen Graduation: Male

My nephew's graduation invitation is in gray and cranberry, so I wanted a card that would coordinate with those colors. I've been looking around for a true Ocean Spray Cranberry cardstock and ink and think I've found it -- Blush Red Dark Prism paper and Adirondack Cranberry ink.  A perfect match! 

I decided to let the sentiment from Motivational Centers from Cornish Heritage Farms take center stage and make a straightforward design for a teenage boy.   You can't see it in the photo, but I stamped the background image on the white cardstock with Versamark before stamping the sentiment.

Other supplies:  Stampin Up! Baroque Background stamp; silver brads; Basic Gray cardstock; Basic Gray ink on the envelope liner; and ticket corner punch; Versamark ink; Papertrey Ink Stampers Select White cardstock.

I am supposed to be participating in the Cartelicious challenge that my stamping buddies are posting Monday.  I couldn't do it, but please be sure to check out Sue, Melissa and Rose Ann's blogs. 

If you'd like to read more about my life, continue. Otherwise, happy stamping!

I received several heart warming and heart wrenching emails after my last post.  I cannot tell you how much the comments and messages mean to me.  I read somewhere that more folks turn to blogging in times of stress instead of therapy.  I understand why, and hey, you can't beat the price!

There are so many dear folks who struggle with many difficult care-taking duties.  If you are in a position to help a relative who is a care taker, may I kindly suggest that you offer a hand -- even an afternoon respite can be most welcome.  I am thinking back to when my mother in law was taking care of her mother.  Frankly, it never even occurred to me to offer to help. 

A friend lent me the book, The Way We Die,  (there's a cheery title!), and I read a similar one as well and some on line articles on the same subject.  They all talk about how, as recently as 30 years ago, most folks died fairly suddenly -- often a heart attack or stroke.  We have so many medical advances that the opposite is now true -- if you live to 80, you are most likely to live to 90.  In other words, once you survive the years (your 70s) where your heart is most likely to give out or you succumb to cancer or the ravages of diabetes, you have made it into the magical 80s and more often the 90s, where your body shifts into a slow decline.  Of course, every one's life doesn't follow statistical patterns, but this knowledge, and the thought that it is nature taking its course, helped put my Mom's situation in perspective.

My mother's numerous hospitalizations over the past 2 years are extremely common.  In fact, the author talked about how a lot of people assume these patients are stronger than normal and are the proverbial cat with 9 lives -- just what I had been thinking.  However, they are simply living out the natural decline of the body.  One sign that the body is worsening is the person's weight.  Old age is when it is helpful to have some extra pounds.  The gradual loss of weight that my Mom and many other elderly face is a sign that the body is just growing tired.  Even eating takes too much strength.

Today (Mother's Day), my Mom enjoyed a new pair of wireless earphones so that she can listen to TV without blasting the rest of us.  Pretty cool gift, especially for US!  She was quite happy.  She ate some fancy cake I bought her and spent a quiet day. 

Yet, even with what I know must be sadness (no word from her sons on Mothers Day), my Mom read her People magazine, watched TV, and even stitched up a loose hem on her bathrobe sleeve.  Simple pleasures, but pleasures nonetheless.      

Comments

[Sharon in NE]

When you first posted, I was so absorbed in your card (yes, this is truly worthy of publication, my little Monet) and failed to read the rest of your post...
I am so glad your mom has you in her life. I'm sure not hearing from her sons, hurts. It hurts me to even think about that, but she knows your love is there, even when somedays you feel it waning. It's obviously there.

I don't think I liked what I read about the medical advances allowing us to slowly decline if we make it to our 80s; not if my quality of life is like that of my Dad's: diapers and a slow torturous walk from the bed to the chair (and hugs from a loveable daughter ;). There are worse things than dying. I'll have to find that book. It looks interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[Mary Fish]

Dear Paper . . . . Absolutely luscious and classy. I may need to play with these colors today . . . got me thinking. Hugs, Mary P.S. Feedblitz stopped sending me your updates recently. I just kick started it last night. I wondered what the deal was . . . .

[cindy]

Joan, as I read about you and your mom I think back to 5 years ago and the stress, strain, frustration, and love that went on with being my mom's caregiver. It is a task that took its toll on me, but I am glad I was able to do it. We had to move to assisted living, she never made it to the nursing home, her greatest fear. But I am thankful for all of the support and help I did get thru out her last couple of years. Hugs to you from Iowa! and to your mom.

[Conniecrafter]

Perfect card for a graduating young man :)
I love your gift idea, everytime we go to my Dad's we get blasted away with the tv, and when he realizes it he turns it down so it doesn't bother us but then he can't hear a thing, but he has heard to many horror stories about hearing aides he won't get one. Sorry for your mom that her sons didn't call, that has got to be tough.

[Laura (scrapnextras)]

Your card is gorgeous...just perfect for a young guy, clean, simple and classy! So happy your Mom still can enjoy some simple "self sufficient" pleasures, and that you can also enjoy it too. I love your suggestion of helping out...even for an afternoon. My mother's health has declined over the years, and I wonder what her next years will bring. I'm in a different city, so most will fall to my sister. I hope that I am in a position to help when the time comes. I enjoy your honest and candid dialogue of your journey, and think about you and your Mom often. Thanks for sharing it so openly.

[Rose Ann]

I love your graduation card! Nice colors and I love the background and sentiment! It sounds like your mom had a nice Mother's Day, and I hope you did as well!

[Leslie Miller]

This is a perfect sentiment for graduation. I'm thinking it would be good for retirement, as well. Hey, there's nothing wrong with a quiet Mother's Day. Mine was pretty quiet, with my son home -- a card and a small, lavishly decorated heart-shaped cake. It's the little things.

[Mary L.]

Lovely card. Your mother is certainly lucky to have you! I only have boys (3 of them); no daughters and people are always telling me that boys fall off the face of the earth when they grow up. I can only hope that at least one of them will keep in touch...I mean, a phone call for Mother's Day isn't too much to ask, is it?? I'm glad you and your Mom enjoyed your day and spent it doing what you want.

[marciad]

I read with joy that your mom ate cake, got a wonderful gift, and kept "busy" doing things that give her pleasure. You are making these years better for her. I hope you get some caregiver respite. Please know that you and your mom are in my prayers. Hope you ate cake and got Mother's Day hugs from your guys.

[Lisa Silver (Silvergirl on SCS)]

Hi Joan~ I love your card. The Centers sets make wonderful cards all on their own, don't they?

I enjoy reading about you and your family... and wish you all the best with your Mom. We're facing similar challenges with my grandma, who was just diagnosed with cancer. We're not sure what the future will hold, but it's more likely that her body will give out, instead of cancer being the real cause. I'll have to read the book you recommend.

One thing you learn fast in situations such as these is how emotionally and physically draining it can be. I've been so tired the last few days, it's been a struggle for ME to eat (and that's not a usual symptom for me).

Hugs~
lise

[Sue B]

First of all - fabulous card. Wonderful design. I love the sentiment, too. Next, I'll miss you today as I go load my Carte-licious card! *sniff* And finally, I'm glad your Mom can find pleasure in life. My Mom has absolutely no pleasure in life - none - zip - she hasn't had any for many years, other than when my little grandson would visit her. But now, nothing pleases her. She has times, now, when she doesn't know us. She has a devoted family, especially my 72-year-old sister that still takes care of her. Many mornings my sister will have to remind her that she is her daughter.

[Victoria]

Thanks for the update. It sounds like you had a better day too! I always enjoy reading your blog and thanks for sharing your hard times too. It serves as a gentle reminder to keep life in perspective. I will definitely remember the note about giving care-takers a break. God bless you and hope you have a week filled with joy!