Poppy Retirement Card

My amazing and wonderful surgeon, Dr. Richard  Wintch,  has announced his well-earned and richly deserved retirement for June 30th this year. His card was created with the Poppy found in my "Make It Crafty" Graphics folder (though I am not positive that the artists there drew this poppy stem) These were printed on Vellum, then colored with Vellum Pens.  They are placed over  Tangelo Twist DP that is filled with happy and caring sentiments.  The vellum is outlined in Starform White and Gold straight lines and the Happy Retirement in gold is a Starform Sticker.  The inside sentiment reads: 

You’ve spent your life helping others, Dr. Wintch,
 and the time has come when you can pursue a quieter life,
 to travel, to read and enjoy your family.

Your legacy as a doctor is unrivaled among your peers.
 Surgeons like you are not just doctors, but real life-savers.
 Lucky are we, your patients, for having seen the favors of the Lord

 through your skill, your compassion and your counsel.

We wish you days of happiness

Filled with contentment, joy and pleasure, 

And hope that your retirement years

Are the best years ever

measured.

Then the protective cover over the card shares the special sentiments of the poppy flower (from the internet), and reads: 

Symbolism of the Poppy

Few flowers played such an important role in religion, mythology, politics, and medicine as the Poppy. Often found growing along roadside ditches and other humble places, these flowers have enchanted poets and helped doctors treat their patients for centuries. Besides the medicinal and edible qualities of the Poppy, the flower symbolizes some very deep emotions.

The Poppy is one of the most widely used symbolic flower around the world. Ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Roman societies linked it with sleep due the sedative effect of the plant’s sap. The Greeks in particular tied it to sleep because of Morpheus, the God of sleep. The Victorians gave the flower a variety of meanings based on the color, including consolation, deep sleep, and extravagance. Chinese and Japanese flower experts recommend the Poppy for couples because it means a deep and passionate love between two people. Other colors represent success and beauty in Eastern cultures. The red Poppy is the traditional flower of remembrance for Europe and North America because of its ties to World War I and II. Some people simply think it is a cheery sign of summer because of its size and intense colors.

For many cultures, the Poppy is a symbol of:

Restful sleep and recovery

Consolation 

Remembering the fallen of various wars and armed conflicts

A lively imagination

Messages delivered in dreams

Resurrection and eternal life