Remembering Katie (Please Help!)

A year ago on October 26, my sister, Katie, was told she had 3-6 months left to live.  She lived 3 weeks. My emotions have been stronger than expected as very vivid memories of those final three weeks have returned. I'm so thankful I was able to be a small part of her last days (If interested, see here, here and here.  See the funeral link here.)  I find it interesting that earlier this week I thought that I still had plenty of time to pull this post together.  Then yesterday it hit like lightning--I don't have a lot of time.  The time that she lived after that news was so so short.  This project suddenly jumped to the top of my to do list.

One of Katie's gifts to those she loved was sending notes that cheered and blessed and brightened.  One of the tasks she put me in charge of when I arrived to help during her last week was to finish up cards.  She had a long list of people to write to.  She had some cards designed, but had not assembled them; I finished them for her.  Then very laboriously she wrote or dictated (both were very hard for her) what they should say. (Because her handwriting had declined, she also asked me to rewrite the notes she had written.)  Sending these cards out were top priority on her 'things to do before I die' list.  This wasn't just something she wanted to do because she was near the end of her life, making cards and sending notes was a pattern that was consistent throughout her life.  In fact, she left a fairly large box of cards she had made over the years ready for use when she needed a one.  Many of us have sweet, cheerful and thankful words that she sent over the years.

In memory of her, I would like to follow her lead.  If you join me, I would be cheered. My goal is to cheer, bless and brighten, or send heartfelt thanks to at least 100 people before her death date anniversary on November 16.  I have made 100 cards to give to whomever wants them. (If you would like to send one of your own instead of using mine, that would be fantastic also.)  All you need to do is leave a comment or send me an email to receive cards. Then send me your mailing address (unless you are local) either to my real email address or my fake address:  chart@utwire.net.  

I have 3 card options you can choose from (click to enlarge):

This is the Message Card.
There are about 5 different pattern papers this card is made from.
I will customize a message on the cover for you.  "thinking of you"
"thank you"  "sending cheer"  etc.  Just let me know.

This is the Thank You Card.

This is the Ruffle Card.

As I was working on these cards Tessa asked what I was doing.  Once she understood what I was doing, (at first she thought I was selling them) she insisted that she make some too.  And so then of course, Greta had to join in.  I helped them quite a bit, but they did a fair amount, including picking papers and ribbons.  I know these cards will likely not be the first to go, but they were probably made with more love than mine.  (I did put a small note on the back that they were made by the girls and their ages.)   Here is the design of the girls' cards.  All are a bit different.

I will put a post below this one so you can see what cards are available.  Sign up for as many as you want just as long as you can send them off before November 16th.  I will mail or deliver cards with envelopes starting next Monday (October 31).  Thank you for joining me on this endeavor to honor Katie.

Thank you, thank you for your wonderful response!!  My cards are all gone, so if you didn't get cards, please send some anyway in honor of Katie.  Her legacy lives on! Together we ended up sending over 160 cards--at least the ones that I heard about! Thank you again!