Saturday, October 31, 2009

Memories You Can Hold In The Palms Of Your Hands!

"Over the weekend, I picked up sweaters for "Memory Mitten" orders from persons who had recently lost loved ones...I walked away from each meeting with the "chills." After listening to each of their heartfelt stories, I felt completely overcome with God's hands on my work!"
(Kathleen King, Gladstone, Michigan)
I have never met Kathleen personally but I learned of her labors of love through my son Paul who with his family has known Kathleen for many years. I was so stirred by her inspiring work that I wanted to share it with all of you!

This is Kathleen's story, in her own words:
"One day while at work, I overheard a co-worker talking about how her mother-in-law was busy making mittens out of old sweaters. My mother and I had just talked about what she should do with a box of my father's sweaters...he had passed away five years earlier and I had suggested she donate them to St. Vincent de Paul...winter was coming and someone in need could use them.

I was in an instant panic! Hopefully my mother still had the sweaters and had not followed my advice! I called her right away and, to my relief, she still had them!

Over the next month, I went on an emotional, heartfelt mitten-making journey. Everyone was coming to my house for Christmas and I was going to give them each a memorable gift of mittens made from our loving father's sweaters. The thought brought tears to my eyes. It would be a gift that I would put my heart into.

On Christmas day after a huge holiday feast and lots of goodies, we sat relaxing by the beautifully lit Christmas tree, music playing in the background and a feeling of contentment of being together. It was the perfect time to retrieve the basket full of wrapped gifts.

They slowly opened their gifts and, although I was tearful, I was also very excited! Tears, laughter, and awe were just some of the emotions I saw around the room. My mom put her mittens on and cupped her face with them—tears in her eyes, yet joy, too. I will never forget that look!
The making of Memory Mittens for my family sparked a passion in me to create custom mittens for others. If I could bring joy to someone else by creating Memory Mittens out of their loved one's sweaters, as I did for my family, what could be better?

I take creating these mittens very seriously. People are entrusting me with a prized possession from someone they have dearly loved. Each pair of mittens is made with tender love and care in hopes of giving them a heart and hand-warming keepsake."

(Please take time to visit Kathleen's Memory Mittens website! You can also click HERE to see more of her completed mittens!)

UPDATE 11/4/09:
Kathleen's website is currently under reconstruction but will be ready for viewing soon. In the meantime, you can contact her directly at email: memorymittens@gmail.com.

32 comments:

  1. This is a great ministry, and the mittens are so attractive and appropriate to the person being remembered.
    This is very clever and completely new to me.
    Keep up the great work.

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  2. What a wonderful thing to do. And thanks to you for sharing. I'll go visit her site now...

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  3. What darling mittens and what a wonderful thoughtful thing you've done with them. I know everyone must appreciate it. Isn't it fun to watch people open a special present? Joy is definitely in the giving.

    Hope you have a wonderful pink Saturday and happy Halloween.
    Sam

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  4. Beautiful mittens and what a beautiful story, I felt as though I was there with the family, and then to take this outside of her family is just wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing, I was so blessed.
    Blessings,
    Sue

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  5. Hi and Happy PS and Boo Day! Glad you came by and I am enjoying reading your blog and the Mitten Project, well what people won't come up with is left only to the imagination isn't it. This is such a sweet project and I wish I knew how she made them because I can't think of anything nicer to give someone. Thanks for sharing with us. Mollye

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  6. Coralie, what a beautiful story. Thanks. Now I must go visit Kathleen.

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  7. what an inspiring idea, good for you!!!

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  8. That was so enjoyable , what a great idea ! Thanks for sharing !
    Eunice
    The Little Things

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  9. This is very inspirational! What a wonderful idea and tribute to loved ones. Anita

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  10. What a wonderful and touching story...and great idea too. Thanks for sharing this.

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  11. You are so gifted, not only with that talent but your heart shines. God bless you and have a great weekend. What a difference you make to those people's lives...

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  12. What a wonderful~~wonderful idea.I will have to go to the web page and check it out.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

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  13. What a great idea for someone who is talented to make them. Thanks for sharing that neat story.

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  14. Oh, Coralie, how beautiful this is...what a treasure, and what a blessing to give this gift of love. Yours and Kathleen's work will be forever in the hearts of those that received mittens.

    God bless,
    Mary

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  15. Thanks for sharing such a precious ministry.

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  16. Hi Coralie. Your blog is absolutely beautiful!! I just love your background!! It's truly the prettiest I've seen in blog land. :) I look forward to reading your past posts and getting to know you better. Thanks so much for "following" me. We can now "follow" each other. :) God bless.

    ~ Wendy
    http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  17. What a beautiful story. I love this and wish someone had made me a pair when my parents had passed away. Thank you for posting such an inspirational story to help us all maybe do something for someone today!

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  18. I remember those sweet little mittens with the face on them! I had some when I was young. What wonderful memories those "sweeties" evoke!! Thanks for sharing Coralie. I'm heading over to check out her site.
    Blessings~Sharon

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  19. Coralie I am bawling my head off. These are not only beautiful but so meaningful.

    I love how you write dear friend.

    love Renee xoxo

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  20. I am soo blessed by this. What a wonderful, heartfelt ministry for you. Thank you so much for doing this, and for sharing this with all of us. Blessings to you, Debbie

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  21. Oh, what an awesome story, Coralie! I just love this.

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  22. Hello Coralie. Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing.

    Blessings.
    Regina

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  23. HI Coralie! Oh, what a wonderful story and what a beautiful ministry for you.
    Thanks for you visit and have a blessed day and as always, be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  24. What a lovely idea in which to pass on a family memory/love/sharing/tradition.
    Wonderful post, and after visiting Kathleen's website, I want to remember about this for down the road.
    Thank you so much for sharing this worthy effort and touching story.
    Just lovely!

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  25. This post was a lovely read.

    Very lovely blog too :)

    x

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  26. Mittens from sweaters is a fantastic way to honor someone. My mom has helped create quilts from loved one's clothing.

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  27. Hello Coralie, your story and mittens just touched my heart. Thank you for sharing such a meaningful project with us.

    Blessings, Jeanne

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  28. What a beautiful story! Such a wonderful idea to keep family memories alive. My father didn't wear sweaters. I wish I could think of something from some of his old things.

    Blessings,
    Christine

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  29. Thank you, friends, for your kind comments about Kathleen's Memory Mittens! I was so inspired by her work I just had to write about it and share with others.
    Have a wonderful day!
    Coralie

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  30. What a wonderful story! Thank you for introducing us to this remarkable woman. Have a nice week! Twyla

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  31. What an amazing Christmas for that family! One they will never forget! Beautiful story!

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