A couple of weeks ago, I opened my email and found this beautiful message from (almost) 90 year old Keith, whose grand-daughter had given him one of my cards...
From time to time people who've received my cards send me emails, but this one will be hard to top - and a warning, you will need a box of tissues (I certainly did).
This is probably the most special story I've ever received from a stranger, so with Keith's permission, I thought I'd share it here:
Dear Miriam,
A few months ago I received from my Granddaughter a card designed by you. It features "Grandma & Grandpa" sitting together at a park bench a thermos at one end and a walking stick the other with 2 hearts (airborne) from steaming cups of coffee. I am certain you will remember as it was mentioned "Made with love in Australia.- - - - by Miriam"
This card is an absolute gem and since I continue to enjoy this card so much I thought "why not tell you so!" Not only is the so so expressive design wonderful but the painstaking method of preparing the intricately cut out & photographed images is remarkable work and I offer my congratulations (and thanks!) for the excellence of your artistry.
Later in the year I will be 90. My wife Vel passed away last December age 87 after 7 years of dementia and I was fortunate to be fit enough to care for her at home throughout the whole period. Your card I feel personifies the pair of us! We were favoured by 65 years and 3 days of marriage at the time of her passing and to me you have captured the essence of contentment and joy of a long marriage in the way you have portrayed the elderly couple on your card.
Well done! I am sure your imaginative work brings joy to many many people!
Best wishes,
Keith
Since I received this email, Keith and I have written back and forward a couple of times. I asked if Keith would share a couple of pictures of himself and Vel, and he has.
Funnily enough, the old couple in the papercut artwork, who are completely from my imagination, have never had names. Many of my other card characters do.
So I think that in honour of this very special story, the "Old Couple" will now be known as "Keith & Vel". It's like they've been waiting for this story to arrive all along.
When I asked Keith if this was okay, he sent me another email (with the photos below attached):
Well you really floored me! That is a beautiful gesture to rename your wonderful card design "Keith and Vel". Thank you so much! At times in our lives there are moments when emotion cannot be controlled and reading of your decision to commemorate Vel & myself in this way was such a moment! It was inevitable that when I read your words tears just "popped'' from my eyes.
I have attached three photos which I hope will be suitable for you to use. One is of Vel age 19, myself 21 - (young love!) the next on our wedding day 13 Dec 1947, and the third was Mothers Day about 4 or 5 years ago.
Many thanks Keith for sharing your story of life-long-love. It is so wonderful.
+&+Vel+(19).jpg)
