Saturday, October 23, 2010

New Bugaboo Challenge!

Saturday = New Challenge at Bugaboo!  Today, at Bugaboo, we are recognizing "causes". Be sure to stop by our challenge blog and find out all of the details. Cammy, one of our design team members, is currently in the midst of a fundraiser for Juvenile Diabetes.  Great cause!  Be sure to stop by her blog--and help her out!  I'm very supportive of Juvenile Diabilites, as I have a daughter and a granddaughter with it.  I am also supportive of heart disease because my father died from it--and my husband had heart surgery last year. There are many wonderful causes out there.  However, the cause that I chose was pancreatic cancer.  Here's why:

I am an only child.  Both of my parents doted on me!  My father thought I was perfect; my mother knew I was not (probably because I was so much like her!) It didn't matter though, as she still wanted the very best of everything for me.  My mother (whose 95th birthday would have been tomorrow) never worked outside of our home.  Her goal in life was to see that my father and I were well taken care of--and she succeeded!  She cooked (wonderful food!--big breakfast every morning with daily fresh squeezed orange juice), she baked (breads, cookies, pies, cakes--dessert every evening), she cleaned (I was always able to bring friends back to our house--she loved having us!), she sewed (most of my clothes, all of my Halloween costumes) and made crafts (I still have some of her handmade Christmas ornaments). She was a room mother, a Vacation Bible School worker, a Brownie leader, a great supporter and cook at our church.   She made our house be what a home should be!  We did not have much money, but I surely did have a rich life.  My father died at age 58, and my mother survived widowhood very well.  She kept busy!  She continued to cook large meals, even though it was just her and the dog.  We benefitted, however, as she would send meals to us a couple of times a week (entire meals--meat, potatoes, vegetables, dessert!)  She volunteered at my children's school and was very busy in our church.  She truly was a homebody, and did not want to venture far from it.  However, she did LOVE short trips to Las Vegas.  She and I went once each year.  In August of 1994, the day after we returned, she had an appointment for a regular doctor's visit.  Her only symptom was a small weight loss (she was thrilled--as she had dieted most of her adult life!) The doctor wanted blood work done, and two day's later, we were confronted with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.  Everything that could be done was done.  The cancer began silently, the cancer became painful, the cancer progressed quickly, the cancer was deadly. Less than six weeks after the diagnosis was made, my beloved mother died.  Cancer is always devastating, but this type is particularly so.  I pray that a cure can be found.

Now--for my card.  I used Papertrey cardstock, a Sissix ribbon punch, circle nestabilities, SU's oval punches, Bugaboo's new bunny "cause" image, and unknown paper from my stash.  I added a couple pieces of purple bling.


This card will be entered into a challenge at:
The challenge is to bring on the bling.

Be sure to check out everyone else's "causes"--and play along with us.

11 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, Sandye. Your mother sounds like a wonderful person. I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope that someday this and all cancers are a thing of the past. No one should have to go through what you and your dear mother went through. It's just heartbreaking.

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  2. What a beautiful tribute to an amazing mother! My uncle Isaac was a victim of pancreatic cancer, and I have never seen death hang so horribly on someone I love. Bless your heart Sandye! I'll indeed be praying for a cure! MWAH!

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  3. Wow Sandye your mom sounds amazing, it is no wonder now knowing what a great mom that she was to you that enabled you to be a great mother and now grandmother to yours! I love your card but your story is very touching and a great tribute!

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  4. Sandye, your mother sounds simply amazing, and I think I can see a few ways, if not all, that you really do take after her. I was sadden by the story, but I think that it will help other people realize how quickly things can happen. Fabulous job with your card, and thank you for sharing that with us.

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  5. What a wonderful story Sandy. And you are right about it being silent and fast and deadly. My Dad died within 10 days of his diagnosis. We didn't even have time to wrap our heads around it.

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  6. Wonderful story! Super cute card!

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  7. Oh Sandye -- your mother sounds like such a wonderful person (and you are most definitely taking after her!). You are so right about the silentness, quickness and deadliness of pancreatic cancer. My aunt died at 32 of pancreas & liver cancer -- she was diagnosed in July and died Nov 1. Such a devastating disease! HUGS to you!

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  8. Sandye - what a wonderful woman you had in your life!! I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Wonderful card too! Off to get some kleenex. Hugs to you my friend!
    Hugs & Happy Days!
    ~Min

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  9. What a wonderful life you had. Both your parents will be so proud. Great way to honor her with this card. Thanks for playing along with us at PPA!!

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  10. Thank you for sharing your touching story. One can pray that some day all cancers will be curable! You card is lovely, and a wonderful way to bring attention to a cause! Thanks for playing at Pals Paper Arts!

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  11. beautiful card Sandye and an awesome cause.
    I am sorry for your loss. your mother sounds like the most amazing women! thank you so much for sharing you story!

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