A Milestone…

I read an article from our local newspaper yesterday about a mom whose son recently graduated from high school.  No big deal, right?  Happens all the time…

Upon further reading, I learned that her son was born with a hole in his diaphragm and the doctors only gave him a 50/50 chance to survive.  While he was in the hospital Neonatal ICU, struggling for every breath, this new mother placed two fingers on his laboring chest and whispered, please.  When he exhaled, she whispered, thank you.  

In the weeks that followed as her son grew healthy and strong with no lingering complications, each breath seemed like a miracle.  This mom continued her prayer ritual of whispering, please when her son inhaled and thank you when he exhaled.  Faced with the fragility of life, each year became a milestone to celebrate with her son!

This story reminds me of taking the time to say, thank you to people who I appreciate in my life.  Sometimes it is good to recognize the milestones that are big and small…

I made the above card for a friend recently.  I was inspired by these beautiful pink roses:

I thought you might like to learn how I made it.  🙂

I discovered that sea sponges make great roses!  Just dab a damp sponge lightly in acrylic paint  and twist your wrist as you apply the paint to paper.  Adding several colors, gives it some depth.  And a few splatters of watercolor gives it pizzazz!

My lettering came from an idea in this book from Joanne Sharpe.  I used a permanent black Micron pen.

One doesn’t have to have a milestone to say, thank you; who do you know that would appreciate getting a handmade card in the mail?

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads this weekend…

Cheers! 🙂