This was a card that I had in my head as soon as I saw Shore Thing in the summer mini (well, the mosaic wasn't in my head, but when I saw this VSN challenge I thought that it would work well with what was in my head).
Three things stuck out to me when I saw this set. First of all, Michigan has been my home for all of my life, and I always loved making the 30 minute trip to Lake Michigan to see the sunset. The second thing that came to me was that when I was in elementary and jr. high I was constantly drawing beach scenes, and I loved making those dumb flying birds. I thought that I was pretty clever and cool for adding those to my beach scenes (therefore, I could not resist doing them on this card). The third thing that came to me is a rather sad and long story. I feel like sharing it, but I warn you it is long, sad and distrubing.
Two years ago my teaching mentor's (Delores) 20something year old son and his fiance were viciously murdered on a beach near San Francisco, CA. Delores was so proud of her son. He was quite an adventurer and he loved being in nature (I think he felt closer to God being outside). Anyway, in August 2004 Jason and Lindsey were working at a camp in CA (Jason is from MI and Lindsey is from OH). It was just weeks before they were supposed to be married (in September). They had one more week of camp before they headed home. Before they came home they wanted to see the bay area and the bridge. When they were on their way back to camp they stopped to sleep on a deserted beach. Nobody really knows what happened, but they were viciously murdered in their sleep. They were not robbed (wallets were still in their pockets, jewelry still on); they were just murdered as an act of pure evil. I personally think that it was gang related somehow, but that is just a suspicion. I just pray and beg God to bring the person or people that did this to Jason and Lindsey to justice (they will stand before God someday). Both sets of parents were just "rocks" during all of this. They just believed that God knew, and that was enough for them. That isn't to say that they didn't weep and mourn, but when they were in front of cameras (this story got national media coverage) they were pillars of strength and faith. Anyway, all of that to say that when I think of a beach these days I think of Jason and Lindsey, and I pray for their families. I will send this card to Delores later this summer when it gets close to the two year anniversary. I simply can't imagine what they are going through.
Sorry about the sad story, but sometimes it is good to "talk" about these kinds of things. Stamping is cheap (well, my husband doesn't think so) therapy.
Thanks for the great challenge.
Date: Friday, June 23, 2006 GMT Views: 1899
Favorited:22
Registered: October 27, 2005 Location: PA Posts: 1095
Sun, Jun 25, 2006 @ 6:15 PM
I remember the news coverage, and I'm very sorry for your loss, as well as your friend's loss. This is a beautiful card to send on a terrible occasion that I wish wasn't necessary, but it will comfort them, and that's what they'll need.
Registered: March 26, 2006 Location: West Central WI Posts: 52
Tue, Jun 27, 2006 @ 5:02 AM
Your card is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your message and your love for these beautiful people. I will keep all of you in my prayers. God does love each of us and knows when we are sad. A tragic death effects so many people especially the immediate families and friends. Blessings to you.
Registered: October 13, 2005 Location: near the DE beaches Posts: 2874
Wed, Jun 28, 2006 @ 9:11 AM
What a lovely card and a wonderful way to let your friend know you are thinking of her and her family. I remember that tragic, senseless murder; makes you wonder if people ever suffer for the tragedy they bring to others. One can only hope that the perpetrators will be brought to justice in this life or the one beyond. God bless Jason, Lindsey and their families.