Oct 1, 2024 — We hope you find this new card as soothing and beautiful as we do. It’s one of 15 NEW DESIGNS that we’d generally release with much fanfare. Today, we’re going to table the hoopla because we want this card to pay homage to all the Retail Partners, Reps, and Cardie friends finding their way forward after being hit by Helene. And we want to tell you about someone who will absolutely be sent the new card above.
Cardie Karen Trostle introduced herself in the spring of 2016, with, “I have been a nurse for 40 years and have had wonderful adventures and experiences along the way. Now in the ‘autumn’ of my career, I am a hospice nurse, believing all that I have learned has prepared me for this ‘ministry.’ Bringing peace and dignity to sweet souls as they make their sacred journey home is what I came to this planet to do.
“I send at least five cards each week to people who I know are too overwhelmed for a call or visit, and to their families, too, so I just wanted you to hear gratitude from a card-loving, hard-working, life-loving nurse! Blessings! Karen Trostle”
Months later, she sent an update, “Although I continue to work with a human hospice, I am now also working with an amazing woman and veterinarian who offers compassionate care and passing to animals, along with support to their humans. As you know, our society still has much to learn about supporting humans in the loss of their furry and feathered friends. Families who are struggling will get one of your cards. Thank you!”
Jump three years to March of 2019. Karen caught us up by sharing, “We moved from Atlanta high into the mountains of North Carolina in December of 2017. I still love your cards and the newsletter and still send at least five grief support cards a week to our families. I have baggies made up with the names of those who will get cards — usually for a year — so they know that people are remembering with them. Such small things, a card and a stamp, yet they can break through the darkness of loneliness and grief. Thank you for helping us ‘Do small things with great love,’ like Mother Theresa asked!”
January of 2020, “I’m writing because I recently received a Cardthartic catalog. I love you guys and will continue to buy your cards, but PLEASE, remove me from your mailing list. It goes against my ‘reduce and reuse ♻️ policy.’ Love and blessings to you!”
Days later, “I HAVE MADE A MISTAKE! (At 62, they seem to be more prolific!) I sat down with what I thought was ‘just a catalog’ of your cards … and I now realize it is an anthology of experiences and emotions, not to mention a whole lot of cards that I didn’t know existed!
“May I please impose on you to be reactivated to receive your Big Book and know I will read it front to back and share it at the used bookstore in my little ‘Mayberry’ of a town we live in (it’s actually Hayesville, NC, but no one knows where we are … and we like it that way!!) Your cards truly are part of my life’s mission. I introduce myself, proudly, as a book-a-holic, and card-a-holic! Thanks for making my addiction just that much more colorful and enjoyable!”
At the close of 2021, Karen wrote, “Last week I sent three ‘celebration of life’ cards. I’m so glad I keep a stockpile of Cardthartic on hand as I live far in the mountains of NC. Yesterday I sent eight cards. It is my meditation. Sitting quietly with a cup of coffee, two dogs at my feet, the sun coming over the Nantahala Forest mountains, I send random thoughts to those I care about.
“As a hospice nurse celebrating humans home, I taught all my families to ‘Make memories, not regrets.’ It’s become one of my themes and your cards help me march to my words. Each card I send becomes a sweet memory, and each new day starts with no regrets.
“Be good to yourself. Find time to enjoy and savor what you have created! We have extra beds and a view of six mountain ranges! Come visit!”
Cardies, what say we all keep sending our hopes and prayers that Karen and all the Cardies, Reps, and stores in her gorgeous neck of the woods fare well. Cards like this were made for hearts like hers! “All the love and concern you show the rest of us … may you feel it coming back to you now.”
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
Oct 1, 2024 — We hope you find this new card as soothing and beautiful as we do. It’s one of 15 NEW DESIGNS that we’d generally release with much fanfare. Today, we’re going to table the hoopla because we want this card to pay homage to all the Retail Partners, Reps, and Cardie friends finding their way forward after being hit by Helene. And we want to tell you about someone who will absolutely be sent the new card above.
Cardie Karen Trostle introduced herself in the spring of 2016, with, “I have been a nurse for 40 years and have had wonderful adventures and experiences along the way. Now in the ‘autumn’ of my career, I am a hospice nurse, believing all that I have learned has prepared me for this ‘ministry.’ Bringing peace and dignity to sweet souls as they make their sacred journey home is what I came to this planet to do.
“I send at least five cards each week to people who I know are too overwhelmed for a call or visit, and to their families, too, so I just wanted you to hear gratitude from a card-loving, hard-working, life-loving nurse! Blessings! Karen Trostle”
Months later, she sent an update, “Although I continue to work with a human hospice, I am now also working with an amazing woman and veterinarian who offers compassionate care and passing to animals, along with support to their humans. As you know, our society still has much to learn about supporting humans in the loss of their furry and feathered friends. Families who are struggling will get one of your cards. Thank you!”
Jump three years to March of 2019. Karen caught us up by sharing, “We moved from Atlanta high into the mountains of North Carolina in December of 2017. I still love your cards and the newsletter and still send at least five grief support cards a week to our families. I have baggies made up with the names of those who will get cards — usually for a year — so they know that people are remembering with them. Such small things, a card and a stamp, yet they can break through the darkness of loneliness and grief. Thank you for helping us ‘Do small things with great love,’ like Mother Theresa asked!”
January of 2020, “I’m writing because I recently received a Cardthartic catalog. I love you guys and will continue to buy your cards, but PLEASE, remove me from your mailing list. It goes against my ‘reduce and reuse ♻️ policy.’ Love and blessings to you!”
Days later, “I HAVE MADE A MISTAKE! (At 62, they seem to be more prolific!) I sat down with what I thought was ‘just a catalog’ of your cards … and I now realize it is an anthology of experiences and emotions, not to mention a whole lot of cards that I didn’t know existed!
“May I please impose on you to be reactivated to receive your Big Book and know I will read it front to back and share it at the used bookstore in my little ‘Mayberry’ of a town we live in (it’s actually Hayesville, NC, but no one knows where we are … and we like it that way!!) Your cards truly are part of my life’s mission. I introduce myself, proudly, as a book-a-holic, and card-a-holic! Thanks for making my addiction just that much more colorful and enjoyable!”
At the close of 2021, Karen wrote, “Last week I sent three ‘celebration of life’ cards. I’m so glad I keep a stockpile of Cardthartic on hand as I live far in the mountains of NC. Yesterday I sent eight cards. It is my meditation. Sitting quietly with a cup of coffee, two dogs at my feet, the sun coming over the Nantahala Forest mountains, I send random thoughts to those I care about.
“As a hospice nurse celebrating humans home, I taught all my families to ‘Make memories, not regrets.’ It’s become one of my themes and your cards help me march to my words. Each card I send becomes a sweet memory, and each new day starts with no regrets.
“Be good to yourself. Find time to enjoy and savor what you have created! We have extra beds and a view of six mountain ranges! Come visit!”
Cardies, what say we all keep sending our hopes and prayers that Karen and all the Cardies, Reps, and stores in her gorgeous neck of the woods fare well. Cards like this were made for hearts like hers! “All the love and concern you show the rest of us … may you feel it coming back to you now.”
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
Karen, Your love & caring will live on forever in the lives you touched and the grateful families of those receiving your care.
Karen embodies all that Cardthartic stands for. Hats off to her dedication in spreading messages of comfort & healing. She has set a high bar for all of us.
After reading Karen’s blessed writings, I think the rest of us might well offer a prayer of thanksgiving that such people as she exist. God bless her.
“Make memories, not regrets” … I love it!
Love reading all of this. Karen is a role model to many and a bright light in our wonderful world. She makes things better.