October 22, 2021 — The relentless lover of life that is Cardie Oma Hannlis is hanging in there. Today she is thrilled to be moving from rehab to the home of the daughter-she-never-had, Cardie Naomi Patterson. Yay!

Na feels blessed that her kind and able former-military man Matt welcomed the idea of having Hannlis come stay with them until she gets back on her feet. So, nearing 98, H will be pampered as never before and as she richly deserves. Having lived through the bombing of her childhood home in Nazi Germany, twice surviving colon cancer, having broken and then mended a wrist and two hips, we Never count Hannlis out.

It was a rough couple of days at the rehab facility that just went into lockdown for covid. Apparently her vaccination card must not have been in her wallet when her grandson drove her north nearly three months ago. When not allowed in to see her without proof that she’s fully vaccinated, her sons called and asked me to go nose around her apartment; alas, no sign of the card there. Ten minutes later, the guys called back, “Mom says to look in the living room, the corner bookcase, third shelf down, in a folder labeled Social Security & Medicare.” Anyone surprised that — despite weeks in the hospital with little sleep after congestive heart failure — she led me right to it?!

Among the prime concerns with the rehab facility was that only one 20-minute visitor is permitted per day. Although Hannlis has always been very happy in her own company (and that of the commentators on MSNBC 😉), we all know what a social person she is. So it felt like she’d been thrown in to solitaire! Cardies, consider yourselves her saving grace …

First there was the gift of this amazing hand-made quilt from Carrie Wolfgang who carries Cardthartic in Novel Destination, her used book emporium in Jamestown, NY. Following the quilt’s arrival last week, birthday cards from dozens of you have arrived. Check out those postmarks from all over our cardiverse! Naomi plans to open and read a few to Hannlis each day leading up to her Nov 4 birthday. If you’d like to keep them coming — or are inspired to send a keep-on card, too — you may mail directly to:

Cardie Oma Hannlis
c/o Naomi Patterson
904 Taxus Drive, #301
Odenton, MD 21113

As I was writing this to you last evening, I was not surprised to find that this quote had wiggled its way from my top desk drawer onto the floor. “True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each day as it goes by.” Time and time again, wise Hannlis has shown us the gift of gathering the precious things. And she has come to consider the cards you’ve sent her to be among them. You write from your hearts … and I wish you could see for yourself how your kind words fill hers. Thank you.

Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative