My baby sister Carol, a second grade teacher, who was diagnosed with cancer at age 44, and who recently had a double mastectomy, is a whole new Carol. Carol is living a new normal like every other woman who has gone through this ordeal. But like everything she does in life she goes for the gusto, she made her decisions after the diagnosis and is now on the other side wanting to help others who get smacked right in the head with cancer. It wasn’t in our family until my first cousin, Margaret, was diagnosed and then Carol shortly there after, same side and nearly the same in scope. Margaret ended up being a loving source of strength for Carol. This is repeated time and time again, women giving back to other women who are shoved into this life altering position.

Carol, a mother of two, is emerging and evolving and taking on life in new and vibrant ways and one of those ways is to develop a line of cards that have real meaning to those who have cancer, for those who have friends and loved ones dealing with it, and even for the doctors that have to treat patients with cancer. Anna Rubino Whitaker of Milford, who is a friend, came to me with an idea for such cards, because she knew of the journey my sister was taking and asked me to introduce her to Carol. Together they quickly put out their first batch of cards with messages that are  resonating with people. The words are pouring out of Carol, line after line, phrase after phrase, and Anna is interpreting with her pictures and her drawings. This line of cards called “Cards For Carol” will evolve and change just like all who are fighting cancer.

I have to tell you that I am so incredibly proud of my baby sister and of Anna, two of the kindest souls on the planet. Together they are enjoying moving mountains to get these cards out for those who need these messages the most. The cards are humorous and also heartwarming and say things that only those who know cancer intimately understand.

I am carrying the cards at my boutique, Annie Mame and am so proud to do so.