Quilt #109 Reed Family and Baby Jackson presented by Heather Welch and Kira Beard

 

Quilt #109 was presented to the Reed family by Heather Welch and Kira Beard. It was sewn by Mary Duke and friends.

Heather writes:

Jackson Reed was born on April 17, 2021 to Ashley and Andy Reed and his journey began in the NICU. He was born with a heart murmur and the doctors wanted to monitor him very closely for precaution. The first week home, the Reeds were back and forth to the pediatricians office.

Jackson was born with a Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV) with Aortic Stenosis. Most people are born with three cusps (or flaps) in the aortic valve of the heart, Jackson was only born with two. The aortic valve controls the flow of blood  from the left ventricle (chamber) to the aorta, the main artery deliver blood to your body.

The flaps weren't opening fully constricting his blood flow, and it progressively got worse after he was born. Due to this, he needed a procedure to send a balloon up into the heart chambers to tear the flaps and allow more blood flow. In doing this there will be some kind of leakage and with the tears, he will need surgery at some point in his life.

In June, the Aortic Stenosis had gotten worse and it was time to do the balloon procedure. On June 17th, his 2 month birthday, the procedure was successfully completed. The doctors went through a blood vessel in the leg then shot up into the narrow heart valve. Once the tube had reached the valve, they inflated and deflated the balloon, widening the valve opening. There was no leakage at all and luckily this meant he will not need to have open heart surgery until he is older.

Jackson has recently had some gastrointestinal issues. One doctor state that the boy, "doesn't know how to poop!"

If that wasn't enough stress for the Reeds, on June 29th, big brother Jarrett fell off the monkey bars and broke his upper arm. Luckily, Jarrett is recovering and back to his playful self again.

Jackson has been getting bigger and growing into a healthy boy! Jarrett is so in love and has taken on the role as a big brother by helping take care and loving on his little brother. The Reeds could not image life without their sassy little redhead Jackson.

Heather Welch who presented the quilt is a former Duncan Quilt recipient. She requested a quilt for the Reeds and Mary Duke put together this beautiful quilt with blue hearts. There is such love in the stitches for the Reeds and their sweet baby boy.

Quilt #108 Joyce Wickham donated by Kathy Young and Mary Duke

 

Quilt #108 was given to Joyce Wickham by Mary Duke. I was sewn by Kathy Young

Mary writes:

Joyce Wickham is a single gal. Her father passed away 22 years ago. As he was dying, Joyce promised him that she would take care of her siblings. She has 9 siblings. Two of her brothers have special needs for mental challenges. Both of these brothers are on dialysis and need constant care.

Another brother passed away 14 years ago leaving a wife and 3 children. Joyce's mother died 11 years ago leaving all kinds of unresolved issues. Another sister passed away this last year leaving her only daughter motherless (The father was never around).

I have seen Joyce go above and beyond to fulfill her father's dying wish. Countless babysitting hours, hours upon hours spent making doctors appointments, hours upon hours running to these appointments, visiting on the phone, sending gifts, making quilts and the list goes on.

Joyce has a really good heart. She serves not only her family but also neighbors and friends. The stress of everything has caused her to lose tons of her hair several times. It seems just as her hair starts to fill in, another issue arises causing stress and more hair loss. 

So no one is more deserving that Joyce Wickham for Quilt #108.

So much love for this fellow quilter with a true servants heart. Love in the stitches.

Quilt #107 Shalair Jones donated by Book Club

 Quilt #107 was presented to Shalair Jones by her Book Club members.

A month or so ago Shalair went in for a minor surgery. While she was under anesthesia, a piece of the equipment failed flooding her system with drugs and causing her heart to stop. They were able to bring her back and we are so grateful.

The anesthesiologist let her know what had happened after she awoke. She said he was visibly shaken. I am so impressed with her kindness in response. While many others would have looked to sue, she truly understood that he needed kindness in that moment and she was so forgiving and generous.

I think that is a word that describes Shalair perfectly--generosity. She is so giving with her time, talent and resource. She has provided a couple of Duncan quilts and donated for so many more.

I have felt a kinship with her for many years. She loves Girls Camp and the girls look up to her in so many ways.

We are so happy with the outcome of this situation. We would have been devastated if "our" Shalair was taken.

There is so much love in the stitches of this wonderful flag quilt for Shalair.

Quilt #106 Annette Facer donated by Kathy Young and Mary Duke

Quilt #106 was sewn and donated by Kathy Young. It was presented with love to Annette Facer by Mary Duke.

Mary writes:

When I first saw this quilt that Kathy donated to The Duncan Project, I knew it had to go to my sweet neighbor Annette. She loves chickens and roosters.

Annette has a heart of gold. When she married she struggled with heartbreaking infertility for 5 years.  So she and her husband decided to wait on an adoption list that was supposed to be a 4 year wait. After 9 years, they finally got their first son Evan. Later, they were blessed to get two more children. First their daughter Hailee, then a few years later Hailee's little birth brother Kyle was lovingly brought into the family.

They love these kids with all their hearts. They are their own. Annette says that the journey that it took them to get these kids has made her a better mom. She knows she was called to be their mom.

Kyle has a frontal lobe developmental delay that caused ADHD and ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder). As a result he sees 3 specialists  and goes to behavioral therapy bi monthly. Annette is especially patient with all that Kyle struggles with. I am in awe with her nurturing and mothering skills. She is loving but firm and he seems to be doing very well with her direction.

Annette is also very unique because she also keeps in touch with the mothers of these 3 great kids she has adopted. In fact, the family is flying to Texas this summer to meet up with the birth mother of 2 of her children.

Annette has so much love and wants to share that love with everyone around her. Annette has a nephew that struggles with addiction and has been in and out of jail several times in the past few years. Although she has had disappointment and heartbreak, and cried many tears over him and others, she feels that others need love, understanding and hope, so she continues to love and take care of his needs and others.

Annette recently shared that she was feeling really sad and unloved, like no one understood her or even knew her name. She said as she walked out of the grocery store she met a young man who asked if she would buy him a cup of coffee. She told him to meet her at Wendy's in a few minutes. She put her groceries in her car, then went to Wendy's and bought this man coffee and dinner. All he could eat. Prior to going in, Annette asked, "What is your name?" In a soft spoken voice her new friend said, "Charles." Then he told her that it had been a really long time since anyone had asked him what his name was. At that moment she felt that he had been an answer to her prayer that day and she had been as answer to his. He melted her heart his humility and gratitude over a simple gesture of kindness.

I felt that Spirit this morning as a wrote this post about Annette. What a generous, loving person. She inspires us to look for small ways to love and lift. 

There is love in the stitches for Annette.

Quilt #105 Wendy Bybee donated by Mary Duke and Sylvia Milner

Quilt #105 was gifted to Wendy Bybee.

Sylvia Milner writes:

Wendy Bybee is a champion for self-sufficient women. She has striven for independence as she worked and raised two boys, despite being blind. 

Wendy ran a cafeteria for several years before becoming a teacher's assistant in the Granite School District. Wendy has been assigned to blind students and work with them daily to learn the school curriculum and braille. She is responsible to transcribe all the students classwork into braille prior to their classes. 

Every morning she has traveled early in the morning--in cold temperatures and extreme weather--taking two busses only to make the same difficult return trip each evening.

Wendy has received national recognition for beginning and operating a yearly summer event for Utah's blind students called the "Bell Program."

Wendy is as adventurous as she is independent, always willing to learn and try new things. She is cheerful, kind and optimistic.

Nearing retirement age, Wendy was hoping to retire this year when she began to feel ill. She is currently on medical disability as she begins dialysis while waiting for a kidney transplant.

This quilt is beautifully crafted by Wendy's friend, Mary Duke, in vibrant purple, Wendy's favorite color. We hope this quilt will comfort, cheer and encourage Wendy as she does dialysis  and waits for a new kidney.

There is so much love in these stitches for this courageous woman.

Quiilt #103 Superhero Kyler Smith donated by Mary Duke

My dear friend Mary Duke is one of the most generous people I have ever met and has really helped The Duncan Project complete what we will now call "the first 100 quilts."

Quilt # 103 was given to this cute 5 year old superhero Kyler Smith.

Mary writes:

Kyler is 5 years old and was born with a few heart defects. 

Last week he had surgery to correct those imperfections and make his heart whole. The doctors said his surgery went well and he should be able to do anything any other healthy boy his age can do in just a few months time. He may need one more surgery when he is in his 20's but we are hopeful that this will take care of all of it.

When I took the quilt to him, he was up and running around. He is doing GREAT! You would never guess that his surgery was so recent. He is healing with Sonic speed. 

His grandpa says that Kyler's whole world revolves around Sonic thus the inspiration for the quilt.

A quote from the Sonic movie, "I'm Sonic, and I never give up no matter what comes my way." I think Kyler is following that advice.

He is a Super Hero for sure!

Interesting to note that Mary designed the appliqued Sonic. She is truly a gifted quilter.

There is such love in the stitches and hope for healing for this adorable Superhero Kyler.

Quilt #102 Gay Davis donated by Sandy Solt and Mary Duke

 

Quilt #102 was presented to Gay Davis. It was made with love by Sandy Solt and Mary Duke.

Mary writes:

I wanted to make a quilt for her (Gay) because I miss her so much. Gay is one of the sweetest people I know, she is always so happy and positive. She lives in a senior center, so she has been very lonely since Covid started. She doesn't even have a window we can go to to visit.

She has some memory loss and doesn't remember much which causes her to feel very lonely. Before Covid we could visit and go on small outings but all that has stopped. It just breaks my heart that she can only receive phone calls these days. 

Just before Christmas this year her dementia got really bad as a result of other physical issues. She had to spend Christmas in the hospital. But one bright spot in all of this is that I was able to visit her the day before she went back to the senior center. It felt so good to talk face to face and even hug her. Yay! 

Since no one can visit and she has had such a rough year, I wanted her to have a quilt that she can wrap up in and feel some love and comfort.

These are hard times for our seniors. Call your loved ones!! Doesn't this sunny quilt just suit Gay.

There is love in the stitches for this sweet lady.

Quilt #101 Stacey Tate donated by Book Club

 

A week or so ago I got a text from one of my dear friends asking if I wanted to walk the Lagoon Trail. We set up a time and then she mentioned a few others would join us. After the walk, we headed to Cafe Torino for breakfast. After the meal, these amazing women presented me with Quilt #101. I was gobsmacked (I've always wanted to use that word and there never was a more appropriate time) . Tears were streaming and as I reflect on the generosity and kindness of these bookclub women, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. These enduring friendshiips, many spanning 25-40 years, have been woven deeply into the fabric of my life. Through moves and changes, joy and heartache, bookclub has been a loving constant.. It reminds me of the scripture in Colossians 2:2 "That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love..."

There were many who supported The Duncan Project, but these women were my greatest support. We lost two sisters during the project, Marilyn Eyre and Toni Chinn. Both received and initiated quilts that were given to those they knew needed them.

There was a card enclosed with my treasured quilt. It reads:

This is a celebration quilt--we all congratulate you on gifting 100 quilts. Your project has blessed both receivers and quilters. Love is in the stitches, the mistakes, and sore fingers (Mary's). Your 100 quilts have comforted many lives across the the nation. You have inspired us to jump out of our comfort zones and reach out to anyone in need of a cozy fabric hug. 

We all love you, Stacey! We thank you for allowing us to be part of The Duncan Project. We are grateful his sweet name is associated with LOVE! Love is in the stitches of our lives all pieced together. Love, your bookclub

Later that week I received a text saying that Quilt #102 had been gifted. And #103 and !04 we become synonymous with reaching out in love and comfort. We are HIS hands.

The love in these stitches is happily reciprocated. 

Quilt #100 Soliven Family

Quilt #100 was gifted so the Soliven Family. 

Last fall I received a message from Alisa Beach, Duncan's mother.. She had heard that the Soliven family from her former Wapiolani Ward has lost their little boy named Dan. She asked me to create a quilt for them. Alisa knew the painful road they would travel and wanted a quilt to show her love and support.

I had a quilt top with Hawaiian fabrics that I had started years before and decided this might be the right quilt to finish and gift.

I had a couple of spiritual experiences with this quilt that continue to remind me that we are all connected

The first has to do with the quilting on the quilt. After putting together the quilt top and bottom, I sent the quilt off to a woman named Donna who does longarm machine quilting (the sewing that holds the layers together). Donna is a true artist . She adds so much detail to each quilt.

I was puzzled when I picked up the quilt. She had added little fish between the squares, something I hadn't intended. I wondered if this was the right quilt for this family. After praying about it, I decided to let go and just trust that it would work out. I have had a number of these experiences where I thought I knew what to do only to be guided in a different direction.

A few days later I received a text from Dani Soliven thanking me for the gift, part of it read::

This is Dani Soliven, Baby Dan's mother. The quilt you made is beautiful. When I opened it up, it immediately made me think of my little local boy. How he loved the beach, looking for fish and just being outside in general. 

One of the patches on the quilt is the same fabric as a pair of shorts he had as well.

I had tears running down my face as I texted back about the addition of the fish. It almost felt like a little heavenly wink.

The second has to do with the timing of the quilt. When I received the request, I was working on Quilt #97. This should have been finished as #98. I completed the quilt and had it sitting ready to be gifted. One night as I walked across my room, the quilt was in my sight and the words came so clearly to my mind, "It all begins and ends with a little boy." This project, that has spanned nearly 5 years and has been source of healing and connection for me and so many others, would be book ended by these two amazing Spirits, Duncan and Dan. I know that these two boys are busily engaged in God's work on the other side of the veil and will be reunited with their earthly families in the future.

It is my testimony as the official project has reached the goal of 100  that God is in the details of our lives. He knows us, loves us and looks to comfort and bless us with comfort often accomplished by the hands of his children here on the earth.

This quilt in honor of Baby Dan has so much love in the stitches from all those who have experienced loss and come to understand the eternal nature of families.

 

Quilt #98 Marta Chapman donated by Mary Duke

Mary Duke writes:

Quilt #98 goes to a dear lady, Marta Chapman.

Marta has blessed our lives through the years with her kindness and generosity. She is a person who is always looking for ways she can bless those around her. I have been the recipient of that love and kindness, but my oldest daughter has been a recipient of her goodness over and over through the years. My daughter suffers with depression, and when she gets really down Marta sends love and prayers and little gifts that make my daughter feel special and love.

A few months ago Marta told me she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. I immediately decided that I wanted to make her a quilt. I was excited to give back a little of the love she so freely gives. Ironically, when I took the quilt to her, she, her husband, and son were super sick with Covid 19. But as you can see from the picture, they are recovering well. Her oldest grandchildren are pretty cute too don't you think?

Before I could even create this post, Marta had written a long, loving post about Mary Duke and all she does for others on Facebook (which is absolutely true).

This started to make me wonder about how these type of people are drawn into our lives. Those who are gifted at selfless giving. Does it come naturally or is it a talent that requires practice. I don't know the answer but I do know that the more we acknowledge these "hands of God" with gratitude the more we see the goodness in our lives. The more connected we feel to God and each other.

There is love in the stitches for not only Marta Chapman but also dear Mary Duke who has donated so many quilts to The Duncan Project and blessed my life personally in so many ways.

Quilt #99 Jaelyn Faye donated by Mary Duke and Terry Powell

Quilt #99 was given to this adorable 9 year old girl Jaelyn Faye by Mary Duke and Terry Powell. The quilt  was requested by previous quilt recipient  Heather Welch.  

This girl with the infectious smile has been dealing with the effects of her cancer for 4 years now. Heather Welch writes:

Jaelyn was diagnosed with a stage 3 supratentorial anaplasic ependymoma brain tumor July 17, 2017. She had a 6 hour surgery where they removed the entire tumor. Before and after surgery Jaelyn started losing mobility in the right side of her body. She then traveled to Seattle with her mom for treatment. They stayed at the Ronald McDonald house for 2 months while Jaelyn received 33 round of proton radiation. She goes to physical therapy to work on walking and waking up her right foot. She has very little mobility from her ankle to her toe. She has had clean scans since her surgery. She is 3 years cancer free! She now has MRI appointments every 6 months. With all that, this kid does not let all of this stop her from doing fun things with her family. You will see her running, ice skating, bike riding, doing gymnastics, singing and so much more! She's absolutely amazing!

She loves her purple quilt.

This little gal just inspires me. There is sunny love in the stitches for this amazing girl.

I also want to give a shout out to Mary Duke. She has been such an important part of The Duncan Project. I don't know the exact number she has donated but it is significant. In addition, she has inspired me to keep going. I remember one day when I came to her home with a quilt that I had machine quilted only to find out that the stitches were too loose. I knew I needed to unpick the entire back (hundreds of thousands of stitches). I was teary and my friend Mary grabbed two seam rippers and helped me unpick a large portion and sent me off with renewed energy to complete the quilt which became one of my favorites.

I am so grateful for all the talented quilters who has participated in The Duncan Project. You are my mentors, heros and friends. I have been richly blessed.

Quilt #96 Pat M.

Quilt #96 was gifted to Pat M. The quilt was requested by his sister in honor of Pat's son.

Pat's son was an amazing man. He served his country for almost 15 years. He served at the highest levels of the Army starting his career in the 82nd Airborne Division then becoming a ranger in 75th Ranger Regiment, and finishing his career as a Green Beret at 7th group . He was deployed for a total of six overseas assignments and was awarded the Silver Star, the nation's third highest honor for "his gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life."

Pat's son lost his life in July of 2020. 

It is my hope that this quilt honors this brave soldier and comforts his family. Love in the stitches...