Quilt #78 Jeremiah Stark

Jeremiah wrapped in his quilt

Quilt #78 was presented to Jeremiah Stark by Duncan's Great Grandmother Karen Stark. A month or so ago I received a text from Duncan's Grandmother, Charlene Duncan that her brother Jeremiah had just shared with the family that he has colon cancer. She asked me to make a quilt for him. She finished her text by saying she wanted him to feel the love in the stitches that I so often talk about.

Jeremiah or "Miah" as he is called by the family was a great support to the family when Duncan passed. When I asked for guidance on the type of quilt, Charlene wrote,"I don't know, just manly! He takes his role as provider  and protector very seriously. He is sweet and tender too. He gives the best hugs! And he'll just hold you as long as you need to be held. Strong and secure, yet tender and full of love. It makes me think of what it will be like to be in the Savior's arms."

What a great man!

Since Charlene's initial request, Jeremiah has had a couple of surgeries and will likely continue with chemo and radiation. 

Jeremiah and his wife Dori. Love the shaka.

I got word that the quilt had been gifted to Jeremiah by his mother Karen (who I was lucky enough to spend time with in Hawaii),

His first comments to his wife and Mom were "feel how soft." (I am using Minky on most of my quilt backs now for that very reason). And he also said that he loved that the pattern and colors were so "manly." (only slightly significant because I started one quilt but decided it would be put aside because the fabric contained the word darling. Needless to say every time I saw the word, I felt a small nudge that this wasn't exactly right for Jeremiah).  Karen let us know that tears were shed and he went off to bed that night with a big smile wrapped in his quilt. 

It is so fitting that he is part of The Duncan Project. Charlene sent me a text with the photos of Jeremiah and Dori that read, "Thank you again! it means so much to me to have Miah have a Duncan quilt. As I haven't been able to be there I've wanted him to feel our love for him in the stitches! I knew it would be a tender thing for him and Dori."

The quilt looks like it belongs in their home.

In one of our texts during the construction of the quilt, Charlene wrote, "One of the great Duncan lessons is that great trials bring great blessings as we accept the Lord's will and receive the enabling power He sends to help get us through. The "immediate goodness of God" is amazing and so real!" I feel so blessed by her wisdom.

I'm grateful to play a small part with this quilt and my prayers for strength and healing. Aloha is in the stitches for the whole family.