Art & Literature
The Simple Card with a Big Meaning
By: Kaitlyn Wood
“I love you Mom. That is true. I am blessed to have you.” I’ve always wondered why those little markings on a simple index card meant so much to her. Back when I was seven, I never really understood the love a mother has for her daughter and vice-versa. Being the younger of two children, I got many presents, but the gift I will never forget is when I finally got the Lisa Frank Art Kit for Christmas. I loved to sit around and make creations with all the colored pencils, markers, glitter, stamps and stickers. One rainy afternoon, I decided to design a masterpiece for each of my parents.
When Mom read my message the first time, it brought tears to her eyes. I recall her holding me on her lap and telling me what a special little girl I was and that she was very proud of me. I was glad she liked her gift, but I really didn’t understand why a simple index card with three sentences and a colorful border would mean the world to her. The border wasn’t even drawn by hand. I had used the pen stamps from my art kit to make paw prints, hearts, kisses, smiley faces, moons and stars in every color of the rainbow, around the edge of the card. Since I was so young, I had also managed to misspell the word blessed by putting a “t” for “ed” sound.
I remember the day that I truly realized how my artwork affected my Mom. I was 10 years old, standing in line at Kroger, rifling through my mother’s wallet to get money to pay for my Bazooka Bubble Gum. I pulled out a dollar as a 3x5 card floated to the floor. I thought it was just another one of Mom’s shopping lists till I saw the bright colors and recognized my first grade handwriting. I looked up at my Mom dazed and confused as I stuttered the words, “You still have this?” She looked at me and shook her head, “You silly girl, of course I have it. Someday you’ll understand how much those words mean to me.”
Almost every year since then, I can recall finding that note somewhere in my Mom’s purse. Over time, the card has been through many purses, wallets and pockets. By the time I was 14, the card was water-stained, tattered around the edges and some of the words were barely legible. I tried several times to replace the old card with a new, up-to-date art creation, but my Mom would never hear of it.
Now I’m sixteen with a cell phone, a car, a part-time job, and a demanding school schedule. Mom and I don’t get to spend as much time together like we used to, but I know that she realizes how much I love her. Every time she pulls out that index card, her face softens and she gets a peaceful look about her. Obviously the card holds great meaning for my mother, but now I realize what an impact it has had on me and my life, too. The card was a token of my affection, but the way she has treasured it and kept it close to her for the past nine years has shown me how much love there is between this mother and daughter. Always remember, it’s the little things in life that mean so much, so open your eyes and embrace the love and experience you encounter along the way.