First, I have to start by saying I LOVE YOU MOM!!!
I despise September 15th. One of the worst days of my life actually. It was 23 years ago today that I lost my one and only sibling to cancer. My brother was only 11 years old, and I was 10. As the years pass, I get more emotional on this day. A Mother’s worst nightmare. As a child, I watched my mom try to cope and be strong. I pray for good health, as I know I wouldn’t be able to cope!!!! I HUG MY KIDS TIGHT ALL THE TIME. They are my life!
To distract me on this day, how about focusing on a big achievement. Now I can share with you a secret that I’ve had to keep for some time. I’m now a member of the “DIRTY DOZEN” over at splitcoaststampers. Still hard for me to believe. I’m so thankful for all the inspiration & friendships I have discovered because of scs.
Even more exciting, a fellow artisan award winner is also being welcomed to the dirty dozen with me….the wonderful Jennifer Buck. The very first time we met and exchanged words was here in this pic below
It was at this past Stampin’ Up! Convention on stage. I’m so blessed to have met Jen. She is an amazing person and stamper.
I must get some sleep lol. I just walked in the door from working all night and have to get at least 3 hours before my Ethan is ready to take on the day:) Then, I will be making a card for my Mom. She loves butterflies, so I have some ideas running through my head.
Go hug your kids tight:)
beauty lies within 
Mary Jo! I am so sorry for your loss! I have often said that if anyone in my family had to have cancer I was happy it was me. I cannot even imagine having a child that was sick. My thoughts and prayers will be with you today!
On a happy note, I am so excited to be starting this venture with you! Congrats to you! You are such an amazing talent! 🙂
MJ,
As a Mother that would be the worse thing I think I could imagine! Iam very sorry for your loss!My thoughts are with all of you on this day! hugs,Elizabeth Glass
Mary Jo, I am so sorry for your loss 23 years ago. I can’t even fathom what you went and still are going through, but how wonderful for such an awesome and exciting thing to become Dirty Dozen on an day filled with sorrow. Atleast now when this day comes in the furture, part of it will finally be filled a little joy!!
I truely love your work. Your are so extremely talented and are going to be a wonderful addition to the DD.
Congrats!!
Michelle
I just hate that “C” word. My 25 year old husband died due to cancer as well as my youngest sister. I agree loosing a child is the hardest thing a mother has to cope with. I am sure your mother will appreciate your butterfly card. Congrats on your Dirty Dozen accomplishment. Darlene
Mary Jo
So very sorry about your family’s loss of you brother at such a young age. That is devastating!
I’m so happy for you to be a dirty dozen at SCS
it’s one place on the internet i go to every single day!
Congratulations on all of you achievements, you deserve it!
becky
SCS belledancr
belledancr@Juno.com
What a well deserved honor so happy for you! So sorry for the loss of your brother, big hugs!
I’m sorry you lost your brother. I lost mine on Sept. 21st 40 years ago… seems like yesterday… and like you I get more emotional as time goes on as well. Something people who haven’t lost a sibling don’t understand.
Very happy about your news though. How nice that you’ve met Jennifer as well; I watch her blog as well.
God bless.
Sorry for your family’s loss Mary Jo. I cant even imagine the pain of losing a child and sibling at such a young age. My thoughts are with you and your family on this day.
Congrats on the DD!!!!! And now you have a good memory for this day too! Yayyy!! Im so excited for you!
[…] crafter whose creations I have admired for years. Here’s the link to her SCS DD Bio and to her Blog!!! Contracts girls, I know we are all in for a great treat for the next 6 months!!! (And if you […]
Sooo sorry to hear about your brother…as a mother {and a sister}, I can’t begin to imagine…..hang in there…
On a very happy note…woooooo hooooooo for you and the dirty dozen!!! You soooo very deserve it!!!
An honor well earned – congrats on the DD!
Mary Jo, I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs!!
That is a lovely picture of our newest and oh so talented DD girls. A huge congratulations!
Congrats to you for being a DD member!! It doesn’t surprise me at all with your amazing artistic abilities!
MaryJo,so sorry for your loss.I too hate that “C” word.
How exciting to become a “Dirty Girl’.
Congrats , your work is awesome and I look forward to seeing more in the fanclub gallery.
Oh, Mary Jo. ((((HUGS))))) and much love. And a big welcome, too.
Mary Jo, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Even though it was so long ago, the pain is still there. It never goes away.
Congrats on the DD! And thanks for sharing all your talents with us!
Hugs.
I wanna hug YOU tight girl! Congratulations!!!!
So sorry about today. I have all my siblings, but my husband lost his only sister too — not to cancer, but that doesn’t even matter!
Wow! You’re just incredible! And to imagine that you’re this productive while being a fellow night nurse!! I tend to walk in circles for days after finishing my nights! I can’t wait to check out your projects — did you include some workshop ideas that I can incorporate into my boot camp assignments?!! Sleep well, and congratulations and condolences both today. Jeanne Nielsen
Mary Jo, Congratulations!!!! Your deserve to be in the Drity Dozen, your creations are amazing!!!
Sorry about your loss. It must be very difficult for you and your mom.
I loss my mom 23 years ago and still feel it like it was yesterday.
Many blessings
Giovana
I can’t even fathom the pain your family has endured. It does indeed remind me to hug my kids and enjoy every moment that God gives me with them.
On another note, I cannot think of any artist who is more worthy to be on the DD. I may need to go and renew my membership now! Your works are too inspiring to miss.
What a very touching story, thanks for sharing it with us all….May the Lord give you and your mother strengh during this time…..congrats on the dirty dozen….I look forward to seeing all your awesome work…hugs… regina
{{big hug}} so sad to hear your brother died so young, that is just awful. So happy to read your news today, though! WOOHOO! I’m suprised you hadn’t been snagged up before, you rock! can’t wait to see your DD stuff!
btw – I LOVE YOUR NEW PIC! you look smashing!
just sending out all purpose hugs! may you feel the love intended through them!
Jennifer
I knew you would be on the dirt pile someday! Congrats!! On another note, I am sorry about the loss of your brother. Sending hugs your way today!
wow – congrats on your new “dirty job”!! I actually can’t believe you are just *now* being named to the team — you’re an incredible artist!!
Hoping Sept. 15 can now bear some happy thoughts for you as well — my deepest sympathy on the loss of your brother so many years ago. Your Dirty Girl status is SO well deserved and long overdue — so glad to see you recognized in this way!!! Best wishes!!!
Your Mother is a strong lady and I am sure her faith got her through the loss of your brother, her son. I am so sorry you all endured that. Your happy news is wonderful and I am sure you’ll enjoy the DD gals. Light a candle for your Mom and brother today. Blessings, Deb
Sad memories on this day – sending sympathy wishes your way…thanks for sharing your good news and sad news.
Huge hugs MJ—what a horrible thing to endure. I am keeping you and your family in my prayers.
Huge congratulations to you for making the dd- long overdue in my opinion!! lol! You rock!
Have a great day—thanks for the reminder of the truly wonderful things we have in our lives!
(((MJ)))
OH, what a bittersweet day for you! I’m so sorry, I could not imagine coping as a mother OR a sister! Congratulations on the Dirty Dozen! It is about time! 🙂
Losing my sister is my worst fear. I love her to bits and she’s my best friend, so I’m not sure I would handle losing her. I feel for you and your mom and my thoughts are with you.
On a brighter note – CONGRATS on making it into the Dirty Dozen! I’m so happy to hear that news! It’s actually a wonder you didn’t make it on the team before! 😉
I’m so glad I’m a SCS member – I’m so looking forward to what you’ll be sharing there!
You’ll be one busy stamper this year!! (Lucky for us!)
Enjoy!
Cindy
Oh, Mary Jo, I hope in some small way, that your DD reveal on this day will soften the pain of your loss. {{{BIG HUGS}}}
Welcome to the Dirt Pile, girl! It’s about TIME! 🙂
Congrats MJ! I’m super excited to see you in the Dirt Pile and I look forward to getting to know you better!! Your work is amazing!
I’m sorry to learn that your brother lost his life at such a young age.
Big hugs to you!!!
Congratulations, MJ!! It’s about time you became a dirty girl! And you just reminded me I forgot to go check out the Dirty Dozen Gallery today, I better get over there, thanks!
I couldn’t imagine the pain if I were to lose my sister! She is such a big part of my heart that I know it would ache all the time! My heart goes out to you and your mom and the rest of your family!
Congratulations on your accomplishments, you are so deserving of this recognition and for those of us who view you regularly you are such an inspiration to us. So you see, that is another accomplishment!
Mary Jo,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. It’s hard for people that haven’t experienced a tragedy like this to understand that the pain and devestation never goes away.
Congrats on the Dirty Dozen destination!
Mary Jo, so sad to hear of your loss, even years later it makes me sad for the hurt in your heart. I’m so happy you have something wonderful to brighten this day. Congratulations and welcome to the dirt pile! You are so talented I look forward to seeing your wonderful creations in the fan club gallery! Bless you.
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your sibling. Cancer is horrible and seems to touch everyone in one way or another. I’m soooo glad you have something to cheer you up on this day, and something wonderful it is! I’m so excited for you! I look forward to seeing your fabulous work.
Congrats on your wonderful accomplishment! Hopefully it brought some light to the very difficult day you were having.
My heart goes out to you and your mother.
Congratulations on joining the DD – a well deserved honor!
Congratulations! I have been a subscriber for a long time and have always enjoyed your creations! I loved seeing everything in person that you created to earn that Artisan Award. I am looking forward to seeing all your special creations as a DD girl 🙂 Very special prayers for your peace and comfort on your most difficult day. And prayers that it will always be the most difficult day that you ever have to experience!
Blessings,
Beth
Mary Jo, I’m so sorry for the loss of your brother so long ago but I hope you’ll have better memories of Sept 15 from now on. Many congrats on becoming a Dirty Girl — so well deserved! Hugs,
Congrats MJ! I have always been such a big fan of your work!!!!
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. It still hurts, doesn’t it?
Hooray, MJ!!! How exciting and so well-deserved. You are going to blow everyone away with your amazing creations each month.
And I’m sorry to hear about your loss. I really can’t imagine the pain that creates. I’m sure his memory is alive in your heart and mind every day!
Oh MJ! Im sure this is a day that will never leave you. I don’t even like to fathom what it feels like to lose a child. I have come close, but God was gracious. Prayers for you and your mother. This has shaped you into the amazing person you are!! Congrats on your Dirty Dozen Adventure! Well deserved.