Occasionally Thoughtful

ALL ABOARD THE SMILE TRAIN!
World Smile Day® and National Orthodontic Health Month

Getting braces is a symbolic rite of passage for many preteens and teens.  It’s an exciting time, albeit an uncomfortable and expensive one.  There is something so cute about a big tin grin although never having had braces myself I have to imagine the novelty wears off pretty quickly.  But such a great payoff when the big day arrives, time for the reveal – a perfect, pearly white smile – tah dah!

We love to send cards to our kids’ friends to celebrate their big event!  It’s a big deal for them.

Achieving a perfect and healthy smile is very important to many Americans.  You’ll notice if you travel the world that it is not as important, available, or affordable in other countries.  And in developing countries where even the most basic of healthcare is not available or affordable there are millions of children who cannot smile – cleft lips and palates are some of the most common birth defects.

Smile Train is an amazing charity that helps children born with cleft lip and palate achieve better health and gives them back the precious gift of their smile, and with it another chance at life.  Their vision:  Every child born with a cleft anywhere in the world has the opportunity to live a full, productive life.

According to Smile Train, over 170,000 children are born each year with a cleft lip or palate.  Most cannot eat or speak properly.  They aren’t allowed to attend school or hold a job.  And face very difficult lives filled with shame and isolation, pain and heartache. Their clefts usually go untreated because they are poor – too poor to pay for a simple surgery that has been around for decades – a surgery that costs $250 and takes as little as 45 minutes.

We ask our own children when they are little, “what do you want to be when you grow up?”.  Might some of these children’s wishes simply be “when I grow up I want to be able to smile?”

For the month of October, in celebration of National Orthodontic Health Month and as a World Smile Day® Ambassador, Greeting Card Universe will be donating 100% of profits from the sales of cards in these select collections to Smile Train –

Congratulations on Losing a Tooth

Congratulations on Getting your Braces On / Off

So let’s celebrate the joy of a healthy smile today and all month long!

What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“I buy all my cards here. Fast delivery and a wide selection of cards. Was delighted to find cards in different languages and for every occasion. Definately recommended !” – Maureen, October 3, 2012

The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed in the United States as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month as well as internationally, for the purpose of raising awareness of breast cancer and support for cancer charities.

“People go through challenging moments of losing people
and of having their life threatened from illness and real grief.
But they get through it. And that’s the testament to the human spirit
and it’s – we are fragile, but we also are divine.”
—–Sheryl Crow

Communities around the country organize fund raisers for local and international cancer charities. A symbol of the campaign is the color pink and/or a pink ribbon.

According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 225,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and almost 40,000 will lose their lives. While modern treatments have improved survival rates, early detection by screening and testing remains the first line of defense. Many charities benefiting from Breast Cancer Awareness Month provide  programs offering low-cost mammograms to the poor.

When a a loved one, family member, relative, friend, or co-worker is diagnosed with cancer, offering encouragement and support is important, but a patient may not feel up to talking on the phone, replying to e-mails or social network messages, or receiving visitors. Staying in touch with greeting cards allows you to send comfort, hope, and positive support, and provides a lifeline to someone who may be feeling isolated and lonely.

Greeting Card Universe offers a unique collection of cards designed for cancer patients including Get Well/Feel Better for Cancer Patients, Encouragement for Family and Friends of Cancer Patients, and Congratulations – End of Chemo. All cards can be personalized with your own message and photo on the inside.

SPECIAL: Save an extra 20% when you order 5+ cards! Use code 2012SEPT20

What Are People Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“So glad I found your fantastic website. I order most everything on line – so why not greeting cards?! I started out to order 2 birthday cards for my nephews and ended up ordering 7 more birthday cards to be used for other’s birthdays. And, the price is right and, even with shipping, it is less costly than I’ve found in stores. So many cards, so little time! Meredith”- Meredith – Miami, Florida, September 27, 2012

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF SENIORS:
National Centenarian Day, September 22

A sentiment appropriate for National Centenarian Day as well is this statement made by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 as he initiated August 21^st as National Senior Citizens Day to acknowledge the life-long contributions our nation’s seniors.

He stated, “For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt salute.  We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older—places in which older people can participate to the fullest and can find the encouragement, acceptance, assistance, and services they need to continue to lead lives of independence and dignity.”

I don’t really think of my dad as a senior citizen, although at 74 he is (he won’t mind me sharing his age but my mom would be madder than a wet hen).  He is a long way from joining the centenarian club but this day has me thinking about the funny things he’s been saying as he gets older.  He has always shared his opinion and given advice but I’ve noticed even more so lately, and unsolicited.

I’ve heard that this is very common; seniors simply get more vocal and just say it like they see it.  Maybe they’re tired of biting their tongue … are losing their patience … feel they’ve earned the right to do as they please.  Who knows, but it can be quite entertaining if you keep your sense of humor.  After living 70, 80, 90 plus years chock full of life’s lessons, they clearly have learned a thing or two worth sharing.  They ARE a wealth of knowledge so lend an ear, you’ll probably learn something.

I came across a Centenarians Celebrated article online that featured new centenarian, Joseph Cunningham of New York who shared these two great pieces of advice:

“If you do something, admit it right away.  You won’t be able to get a good night’s rest.”

He also wishes young people today had “common sense” and steered away from getting body piercings.

“The piercings make you look like a pin cushion,” said Cunningham.

I LOVE this – so practical and spot on!  You tell ‘em Joseph!

With my dad I know when some advice is coming as it typically starts with:

“It’s none of my business but …” or “I probably shouldn’t say anything but …”

He shared the following words of wisdom while driving with my driver-in-training daughter:

“The car does not have eyes, you must tell it where to go.”

Yeah, he’s right.  Good advice.

One of my favorites was this proclamation while again driving with the same daughter:

Granddaughter – “Poppi, why aren’t you using your signal?  You’re going to get a ticket.”

Grandpa – “I’m 74 years old and it’s nobody’s business where I’m going!”

Apparently some seniors think they’ve earned the right to be above the law.  I wonder if the police will agree, or at least offer them a senior discount on their traffic ticket fines.

Cheers to you dad, keep ‘em coming!  I’m all ears.

In celebration of seniors and specifically centenarians GreetingCardUniverse will be donating a fitting 100 greeting cards to Snail Mail for Seniors, a non-profit group that sends greeting cards and children’s drawings to senior citizens across the state of Michigan, particularly for seniors that do not usually receive visitors or mail.

Offering every age specific birthday card from 1 to 115, not just the milestone years, here are some of our most popular birthday cards for centenarians:

What Are People  Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“You are the best! Great variety, card quality, and timely shipping. Age 100 cards are not readily available in regular card shops. Dad will be a Centurian on Oct 16th. If it was not for a back problem, he would still be dancing. He is our miracle gift from the Lord above. Thanks again” – Nancy – Pelham, Alabama – Aug 29, 2012

WEEKEND SALE! All cards $1.99 each – use code 2012SEPT199

National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month:
How Can We Help?

With the month of September bringing National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, it makes me reflect on how lucky I am, lucky to have healthy kids.  Sure, they get the random cold or injury that drags us down and forces us to miss a few soccer games, days of work, or a handful of school days, but that’s no big deal.  They’re healthy, really healthy.

According to the National Cancer Institute, on average each year, approximately two out of every ten children between the ages of birth and 19 years in the United States are diagnosed with cancer. The most common childhood cancers are forms of leukemia (blood cell cancers), brain and nervous system cancers, and tumors.  Cancer is the number one cause of disease related death among children according to statistics compiled by the American Childhood Cancer Organization.

I share with my kids just how fortunate we are.  I’m sure they are tired of hearing it but I think (hope) some of it sinks in.  We have a nice home in a great town, with wonderful friends and family, plenty of food, clothes, and entertainment, all the essentials and much more.  And we have good health.  Of course there is always someone that has more of something, or a bigger or better whatever.  There always will be.  But there are MANY that have less, far less.  I tell them not to lament over what they don’t have but appreciate what they do have.  (“Mom, what does lament mean?”)  The glass is half full, right?  At least that’s what I see.

Thinking of those facing challenges or in need makes me want to help.  What can I do?  What can my kids do?  How can I help?  And eek, where will I find the time to do so?!  Writing a check and making a monetary donation works but it isn’t really fulfilling.  You don’t get that hands on, roll up your sleeves, break a sweat and get dirty satisfying feeling.  You don’t SEE the benefits of your efforts.

How can we teach our kids to give and volunteer?  I’ve found it sure works best if it is something they have a passion for and can relate to.  It has to be doable, not too difficult and come from their heart, not because you’ve made them do it.

Here are a few of our efforts where the feel good reward just keeps on giving

Tri-Valley Animal Rescue
Socializing and exercising shelter animals promoting their adoptability

Town of Danville Lend a Hand Day
Helping local seniors with yard work and minor house repairs

Locks of Love
Donating hair for hairpieces for financially disadvantaged children with long-term medical hair loss

Note to self:  I must be okay with doing what I can, and not feel guilty for what I cannot.  (There’s that glass half full again.)  My time will come when I can do more, maybe when I’m an empty nester.  Pace myself, slow and steady wins the race.

Congratulations – End of Chemotherapy
End of Chemotherapy Party Invitations
Congratulations on Donating Your Hair

Donations to benefit Kiss the Toad Creations
a wonderful organization that encourages
and recognizes children who are battling a life threatening illness
by presenting them with their official superhero cape.