October 12, 2021 — In last Tuesday’s Cardie Newsletter, I reported that Hannlis was visiting her sons in the northeast, holding her own as she nears her 98th on Nov 4th. Well, soon after, she went into the hospital with congestive heart failure. 😳
Today, H says she’s resting very comfortably and sends “Greetings!” to all who’ve adopted her as a cardie oma of their own. And she’s quite eager to return to the quiet comfort of eldest son Michael’s home on the Chesapeake Bay.
It’s surely more than coincidence that she will now be living near the daughter-she-never-had. Naomi was a neighbor of ours here on Miami Beach, and moved to the Baltimore area a few years ago. It’s been a blessing for them both that Naomi is there to have good long talks, to hold H’s hand, to see her at peace as she truly is. Naomi has happily accepted the role of Cardie Mail Carrier, so any birthday cards — and now, perhaps, feel better cards, too — can go straight to:
Cardie Oma Hannlis
c/o Naomi Patterson
904 Taxus Drive, #301
Odenton, MD 21113
Over the weekend, as I was in Hannlis’s apartment packing warm clothes to send north for this next leg of her journey, I opened a big box addressed to Cardie Oma Hannlis. I’d found it on her doorstep weeks before, and just put it inside as she was expected to return. Wow, it was this lovely quilt from Carrie Wolfgang who carries Cardthartic in Novel Destinations, her used book emporium in Jamestown, NY.
In a kind note to Hannlis, Carrie wrote, “I was reading The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku (a concentration camp survivor who is 101) when your touching story on friendship arrived. The enclosed quilt was made by a friend’s loving hands. My friend is bipolar and her husband recently had a bad fall, so I commissioned several quilts to help her with bills, and so I could spread some love. I hope you enjoy it, but feel free to share it on. Take good care, Hannlis!” What an amazing gesture, eh, and could the timing be more perfect?!?
Knowing how much it has always filled Hannlis up to hear what cardies have penned in their cards to her, we’ve set up this Caring Bridge site so you can also leave messages there, if you care to, and Naomi will be sure to share them with her.
Be it cards or quilts, Caring Bridge messages, or your own excellent positive energy, Hannlis always feels our little community saying, “My thoughts fly across the miles to you.” Thanks for being the extraordinarily kind and thoughtful people you are.
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
Truly lovely quilt from a warm-hearted giver to a cherished receiver. It is comforting to hear this story and appreciate how the purchase of a few quilts spreads so much kindness and compassion. Carrie must be a nickname for caring.
Thank you for sharing Hannlis’s continuing life journey with us. She is in my prayers, along with her family. The “quilt kindness” was an amazing gesture. This story of love, care and perseverance inspires!