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Saturday, June 1, 2013

A Graduation Card - Let Your Light Shine

I just about never make cards - maybe 3 in the past year.  But I'm a really proud mom this weekend.  My son is graduating from high school, and he has grown into an amazing young man.  This week he shared a speech titled "Knowing and Loving Yourself" that he gave as a senior retreat leader with this quote as a theme:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?"  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same.  As were are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

He originally heard the quote in the movie, Coach Carter, and learned that it was originally from Marianne Williamson.  When I read his speech, I was incredibly moved by his insight into who he is and the journey he has taken to date.  I was impressed by the confidence and maturity it took to share his own strengths and weaknesses with his peers and with his ability to share his challenges with his classmates. 

So I decided that I would not take the easy way out.  I would make him a card - and try to include messages related to the speech I read in that card.  After all, he's pretty amazing and deserves a card as unique as he is.

I started with a scrap of paper and then pulled out a 12x12 sticker sheet from the new MME collection Find Your Wings and Fly.  The sentiments were perfect.

The sentiments on the stickers were perfect and I loved the colors.  But the pennant sticker was two long.  So I cut off the top and used the striped piece as a layering element.  And of course, washi and enamel dots make everything better.


I wanted to continue the positive messages on the inside.  So I combined a couple of Studio Calico Project Life cards with another stickers from the MME sheet - and of course, a little more washi.


And then I tried my first envelope ever.  While it was a bit large for the card, it was perfect for the lottery tickets I was tucking inside. (We will buy him a new computer to take to school in the fall, but the day itself calls for something fun.)  I used a piece of patterned paper from I Lowe Scrap for a really fun look.


I'm excited to have a really special card for Nicholas.  He's certainly made our lives richer and I want him to know how special he is.

Have a great Sunday.

1 comment:

  1. Great cards! You made use of that MME sheet of stickers!

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