Benjamin Smiles: Tribute to a Beloved Son
Benjamin Mollett loved the bright novelty prints he selected for the quilts and pillows his mother, Vicki, made for him.
Tragically, the day before Thanksgiving, 1999, Vicki and Arnold Mollett lost their six-year old son, Benjamin, to lung cancer.
During Benjamin’s traumatic year of chemotherapy and hospitalization, sewing became a big part of Vicki’s life—and therapy.
“When he was sick, I did a lot of sewing. I made Benjamin a quilt and a pillow. He loved fun, funky fabrics. Then he had me make more pillows for his friends. A small pillow—something to hold on to—but capable of many washings, is a great gift for a sick child.”
L-R, front: Arnold, Vickie, back: Arnie, Luke and Benjamin Mollett in 1999. (The family also includes older siblings: four sisters and one brother.)
Knowing the joy and comfort a small pillow could bring to other pediatric patients, Vicki designed “Benjamin Smiles Pillowcases,” to cover a kid-sized travel pillow.
A “Benjamin Smiles Pillowcase,” designed by Vicki Mollett in memory of her son, and now available online. The labels are available by request, free of charge.
“What I remember most about Benjamin is his smile, said Vicki, “and I knew I had to do something to pass his smiles along.” When exhibiting at sewing shows as representatives for Handi-Quilter frames, the Molletts recruit other enthusiasts eager to “sew Benjamin’s Smiles.”
Vicki’s mom’s quilt guild in Chariton, IA, has also adopted the project, and regularly delivers dozens of pillows to the Iowa City and Des Moines Ronald McDonald Houses.
Reaching out to other hospitalized children has helped the Molletts cope with their devastating loss and memorialize their son’s bright spirit. As Vicki writes in the pattern dedication: “This pattern was created in memory of Benjamin James Mollett by his mom. May your smiles go on forever…”
How you can help: Sew “Benjamin Smiles Pillowcases” for hospital pediatric-oncology wards or Ronald McDonald Houses in your area. To download the pattern, go to Creative Kindness Projects, on this website: “Benjamin Smiles Pillowcase”. For labels, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Benjamin Smiles, 94 Bennett Creek Rd., Powell, WY 82435, attn. Vicki, (307) 645-3290, vickimollett@netscape.net. Please include the “Benjamin Smiles” story, featured with the pattern on this web site, with any pillows donated. The Molletts also give away printed patterns and labels at consumer sewing shows, and will gladly distribute any cases sent to them.
Do you have a Creative Kindness story to share? We would like to hear about your individual or group charity efforts. Please fill out the on-line questionnaire; your information will be forwarded to Gail Brown (gailbrown.com). Although we cannot guarantee publication, all submissions will be carefully reviewed. Thank you!
©2003 Gail Brown and Nancy Zieman. For personal use only. Republication of any kind by permission only. Thank you.
