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All of the cards, layouts, handmade items and art work displayed on this website are copyright to me, Lynne Mizera. Of course I hope to inspire and encourage you and would be morethan happy for you to use any of my work to that end; however, please respect me and my work and do not directly copy any of my projects without crediting me or enter any of my work into any magazines or competitions without my express written permission. All my cards, layouts, projects and art work are not to be used by any commercial enterprise for any financial, marketing or commercial gain.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Send (or be) an Unexpected Gift


Have you ever noticed that when you are going through something really hard, or really dark how it is the smallest, unexpected act of kindness that gives you the strength and courage to keep going?  I have been reflecting upon some pretty rough times in my distant past when I started to remember that there were a handful of times when I felt like I REALLY couldn’t go on, and then a card would appear in the mail or the phone would ring out of the blue and someone would take me to lunch and spend an hour of their life just listening to me!  And why this had such an impact on me was because IT WAS NEVER FAMILY or even close friends, but usually someone that I had met briefly or casually or someone who had heard about my situation through someone else… which is why I still remember all of them - these  almost Strangers who took time out of their busy lives to send me some kindness.   I wish I had paid more attention at the time and expressed how their one act of kindness felt like a lifeline at the time!  But Shoulda….Woulda…. Coulda….. I can’t change the past but I can do something now.

I am currently immersed in my Brave Girls Art School on-line classes


Doodling Funk Flowers - Brave Girls Art School - Lesson 1
and last week we were given an assignment of creating a 3-D collaged flower garden and sending it to someone who is not expecting it and may need a little joy in their lives. (I guess that is what got me thinking about all those times I received unexpected gifts of love and kindness) and I thought WHO can I make this for?  And the name “Dawn” immediately popped into my head!

Dawn's Garden
I met Dawn briefly in June At a women’s empowerment retreat I go to every year called "Scrapbook Your Heart".  A talented and generous soul, she has spent the last 20 years of her life in service to others – especially children. Dawn had made each of us at the retreat a personal journal – there were 80 of us! And each journal was an original, individual work from her heart… EIGHTY OF THEM!  We all cried when we received our gifts, every single one of us!  And then it was announced that she was off to the States the following week to undergo some experimental treatment for the Big “C”.  She did NOT want to be singled out, she was uncomfortable with our thanks, but her journals were a gift to us of how powerful journaling can be in everyone’s life, and her journal to me gave me another little push along the road to recovery and forgiveness that we all walk one way or anther. 

I LOVE my Journal -  it says "The world will tell you that happiness comes from more, bigger, better, newer.  Find out FOR YOURSELF if this is true... when you find the truth, lovely you, be brave enough to live that truth."
 So my Garden goes to Dawn… it is in the mail today…. And I send it with love and prayers and hope that it will give her a little light and joy, and let her know that she matters, she is thought of often and she has made an impact on my life.

And so I encourage you to give in to that little voice/thought/nudge that says “you should call her.” Or when you see a card that would be PERFECT for someone… don’t draw back, thinking it is too personal, or you don’t know them well enough… because they may need just that … a little joy or kindness from an almost stranger!

13 comments:

  1. You, my friend, just made me cry. I know it's not really all THAT difficult to do!!! But thank you for the reminder today of what "it" really is all about :)

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    1. Thanks Allison for letting me know that my blog "hit the mark". and I LOVE that you cried because it shows that you care!)

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  2. You are a generous and compassionate soul, Lynne.....and I think your garden will plant seeds of hope in Dawn's life :)

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    1. Thank you Kelly... and I LOVE that you read my blog... Big Giant Smile!

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  3. thank you Allison! I have been trying to make my blog A little more meaningful than just another place to see layouts, and I finally have gotten over the "OH NO! you can't say THAT" feeling and I'm just saying it! I have been wanting to share Dawn's story for a while and this seemed the perfect forum.... Thanks for letting me know that it hit the mark. (and I LOVE when you cry...because it shows you care!

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  4. How special you are Lynne! what a wonderful gift for someone so special. I think she will love it! I think we have all had someone like that in our lives and thank goodness for them too .. they surprise us at the most unexpected time. I really want to make it to your place very soon!.. we are not that far apart! I could make it there in a day.. someday soon!.. until then.. Scrap awAY! And Dawn, if your reading this.. we are thinking about you today! with love.. Peg

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  5. Wow Lynne! What a beautiful gesture! In this day and age of internet, email and facebook, we connect with each other more often, but getting a wonderful treat of your beautiful art in the mail is a true gift from the heart.

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    1. Thank you Kerri! I am so absolutely THRILLED that you read my blog... I feel very blessed these days! (and hope I can live up to the responsibility!! LOL)

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  6. What a beautiful post Lynne. As always, I love your work, but the heart and soul behind it is what truly makes it remarkable!

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    1. Colleen, THANK YOU! You are the sweetest person and I truly value your good oppinion. (and I MISS our regular contact through Copic Marker Scrapbooking... Send me a note if you have time and let me know how you are!)

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  7. Great inspiration Lynne!! I have been thinking of a friend who is a dark place now and has been for the past little while. And while I can be only there for her over the phone and internet you have inspired me to send her card of hope,courage and that the future will be better! Thanks for the notion to hopefully get her feelings in motion!! ( I might have something there!! lol) Thanks Lynne and see you soon! very soon!! Lisa B.

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    1. Dear Lisa, thank you for the lovely words and YES! send her something! It is just an un-expressable feeling when you are in a dark place and something unexpected arrives in the mail... sometimes it is the ONLY thing that gets you through that day! DO IT!
      PS: I was JUST thinking about you Yesterday! (and wondering if I should e-mail you to see if I should be bringing anything "special" for our holiday... hats? accessories? masks??) I have never done anything girly like this before and I want to EMBRACE it!!!

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