Thank you. Your comments and emails mean so much right now.
It's been seven weeks since we lost our baby and I am still going through the motions of daily life in a fog most of the time. I have to concentrate just to remember what month it is. Or the day of the week. I'm already failing miserably with back to school deadlines and have what seems like fifteen alerts set up on my phone so I don't forget simple things like meeting Fidget at the bus after kindergarten or taking my medication.
For one minute things seem better and then I spy a newborn baby girl or hear a song on the radio or smell something that would have turned my stomach while pregnant but doesn't anymore because, well, I'm not. And then I am plunged into the deep again, head spinning and emotions in full gear.
I have also been moved to tears by the kindness and generosity of others.
While on a much-needed getaway with my husband on the Oregon Coast last week, my dear friend, Sarah, and her family met us in town for dinner. We were staying at her family's cabin and I was already indebted to her for hooking us up with such a great spot at the last minute.
Not only did they make a 90-minute drive to have dinner with us one night, but she surprised me with one of the most beautiful gifts I have ever received. In the weeks since I had lost Darcy, Sarah and some of my closest crafty friends from all over the country had collaborated to create a quilt for me and my family.
Oh, the tears.
The word 'surprised' is totally inadequate.
So is the word 'beautiful'.
And 'thoughtful'.
And 'meaningful'.
Some of the blocks have butterflies -- in the print or in shape or, even, embroidered. It was quilted with a butterfly pattern. And our names are embroidered in the quilting as well.
As you can imagine, I am still overwhelmed by this generous and thoughtful gift. On the other hand, I am under strict direction to make sure this thing gets used, so I have it in my living room on the sofa for everyday use. Its presence is a gentle reminder of the love that surrounds and lifts us up. The girls are obsessed with finding their names in the stitching and it has already served to cuddle and nap, to crawl upon and hide under, as a tent and, today, as a giant Fidget Burrito.
Every time I open it, I notice one more detail.
The words 'thank you' are so ridiculously short of what I need and want to say. I love this quilt. I love the women whose hands and fabric stashes reached out to hug me the only way they could. I still don't feel deserving of something so big, but I am so very grateful for their love.
Sarah has written a beautiful blog post about how the quilt came to be, and about blogs and friends and the universe. You should read it.
So, this post is my thank you to all of them. My dear friends... Sarah Jackson, Jade Sims, Grace Snow, Erin Harris, Cathy Gaubert, Beki Lambert, Laura Capello, Lori Hanson, Alicia Alferman, Amy Harding, Michelle Needham, Emily Demsky, Sarah Brundage, Lisa Clarke, and Stacy Dinkel. Thank you. We love it. I love it.
The quilt also came with an original watercolor card painted by my friend, the sweet and talented Heather Smith Jones. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to have a third piece of hers in my house... you betcha I'm framing this one, too.
It was quilted by Tillie Studio and I still marvel at how she got our names in there. Beautiful.
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I'm looking back through this post shaking my head. It's not enough. I need to shoot each square and post them in my flickr album so you can see who made what and appreciate each block individually. Later today, perhaps, when the sun is out and the light is better.
For now, I have a date with Spunky, a cup of coffee, and a comfy spot on the sofa.
xoxo. Love is all you need.
