With Mother’s Day only a few days away, we wanted to take a moment to remember our Mom. She passed away when we were still kids and not a day goes by that we don’t think about her. She loved us and gave so much to us in the brief time we had together. She encouraged our creativity and adventures. She taught us to take pride in making things by hand. She instilled in us a love of family and home. And, important to our future with Rock Scissor Paper, she taught us the value of putting pen to paper.
From a very young age, we constantly made cards and wrote letters. We relished going to Quigley’s ,our local five-and-dime store, and picking out new letter writing sets. In the seventies, graphic writing paper (with matching envelopes) were really popular, especially if you had a pen pal to write to. We sought these sets out all over the place, even at amusement parks. (We even had writing paper from Universal Studios complete with illustrations of Jaws and other attractions at the park!)
The other night, we received a time capsule of sorts. At a family dinner, our Step-Mom gave us a box of cards and letters that our Mom had saved many, many years ago. The box has sat untouched in a cupboard for countless years and when doing some spring cleaning, she came across it. It was such an amazing thing to receive, especially right before Mother’s Day. It was chock full of both store bought and homemade Mother’s Day cards that we had given to our Mom.
The box was also filled with letters that we had written to our Mom. She was diagnosed with cancer when we were small and over the course of her 10 year battle with the illness, she spent a lot of time in hospitals. It’s hard to imagine now, but at the time, children were not allowed into patient rooms at hospitals, not even to see a terminally ill parent. During these times, we would talk to her on the phone as much as we could. Some nights, if she was lucky enough to have a hospital room that faced the street, our Dad would take us across the street so that we could wave to her from the sidewalk while she stood by the window. As much as those brief moments of seeing her meant to us, we can only imagine how much they meant to her.
Since our contact was limited, we wrote letters back and forth, our Dad serving as the “mailman” for these notes. Our Mom always referred to them as “little love notes”. Sometimes she would send home a toy from the hospital gift shop to accompany the letter. It certainly, on many levels, makes us sad to see these letters now, but in other ways we are so happy to have them. It’s wonderful to see her writing, see her words and to know how much she loved us and wanted to be with us. Having these letters is truly a gift!
The cards she often sent home to us were ones that benefited the charity UNICEF and featured the artwork of different artists from around the world. We loved reading about each artist on the back of the card, and still do! Our Mom was from Belgium and on one particular card she excitedly pointed out that the card’s artist was a Belgian. The world was a lot less globally connected back then, and it was exciting to discover anything that connected her to Belgium.
We’d like to think that our Mom would be proud of us and all that we have accomplished with Rock Scissor Paper. Whenever we get discouraged at work, we think about all the cards we’ve created and sold, that have found there way into people’s mailboxes, bringing with them a little love and happiness and caring. Just like our Mom’s little love letters made us feel so many years ago….and still do today.
Happy Mother’s Day!
- Susie and Heidi
May 6th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
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May 6th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Thanks so much for sharing this with us! Even though I got choked up, it was wonderful to see your awesome cards and letters. The “Speicl DerLivery” and phone number of “881-Love-Kiss-Love” kills me! :)
You better believe your mom would be proud! Thanks again for sharing such a personal story with us!
May 6th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
This was so beautiful to read. Thank you for sharing. Your mother sounds like an amazing woman and I’m sorry for your loss.
May 6th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
What a truly special gift you both received and so close to Mother’s Day. I remember you both as little girls. Children, yet carrying an adult burden. I am still teary.
Love you both……
May 6th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Heidi,
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt memories of your Mum. I know from your creativity - and your love of family that she must have been one special lady.
Happy Mother’s Day to her!
Veronica
May 6th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Thank your both so much for sharing this with the world. It’s amazing to see a snippet of the love you shared with your mom, and the strength that you have as adults. You are truly beautiful souls, and it shows in all your do! She would be so proud of you :)
May 6th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Great post- beautiful cards- thanks for sharing such a meaningful memory-
May 7th, 2010 at 5:32 am
Susie and Heidi,
Thank you for sharing your story with all of us. Dena Palser is my daughter and she shared your blog with me. She has a sister (Paige) that she is also best friends with. As their Mother it warms my heart to know that their are other Sisters out there that have that bond too. Your Mother would be very proud of y’all. Her love shines through both of you. And always know that she is with you both everyday. The story that you live everyday is your tribute to her. :-D
May 7th, 2010 at 10:08 am
OMG, this is so lovely. Your mom would be unbelievably proud of you two. xoxo
May 7th, 2010 at 10:38 am
A big thanks to everyone for the wonderful comments. Thank you for reading this and letting us share with you. I love looking at these pictures…Heidi & I sure were snazzy dressers! I guess we have our Mom to thank for that as well!
May 7th, 2010 at 11:15 am
that was such a beautiful post. thank you for sharing such treasured letters for us to see. sometimes i think about how communication is so electronic now-a-days but no matter what the world trend is, it’s so important to keep writing in our lives. thank you both!
P.s. i met you at the unique LA and you wrapped a beautiful gift with a fun ribbon (sans scissors) and have really enjoyed “catching up” on your blog.
May 7th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
OMG….my heart is breaking for you girls and at the same time it is so special to have all these memories at your finger tips now….amazing story and letters. Thanks for sharing. It was like your Mom was saying I love you again via the gift of the letters just in time for Mother’s Day!
May 7th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
A beautiful tribute to your mom - thank you for sharing with this tired-but-grateful mom.
May 10th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Heidi and Susie,
Thank you for sharing this amazing story. You brought tears to my eye, this really touched me. Thank you! I know your mom would be very proud of you both. And I really think there is a reason why these reappeared in your lives. Almost like she was telling you something.
Thanks again for sharing this with all of us!
May 11th, 2010 at 8:03 am
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May 12th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Really loved this post. Thanks for sharing this. So touching!
May 16th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
I just read this lovely post. The letters and cards from your Mum must be so treasured. Thank you for sharing.
January 29th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Just came across your blog and the sweet story about notes to and from your Mom. I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mom would be so proud and happy for you. Thank you for all the inspiring projects and crafts, especially for kids. I love making stuff with my grandkids and your art and downloads are a blessing. Thanks again, Marilyn