Quilt #115 Cindy Vernon donated by member of Book Club

 

Quilt #115 was given to Cindy Vernon by members of her (our) book club. Cindy is such an example of giving to all of us. She constantly seeks to cheer and connect. Just this week I was the recipient of chocolate and flowers. But better than chocolate is the way she listens with compassion, humor and encouragement. 

These last few months she has had a few challenges of her own.  Multiple wrecked vehicles, a case of Covid and family members needing additional nursing care.

This quilt was given to let her know, she is seen and appreciated by so many.

The note that accompanied the quilt written by one of the members, says exactly how we feel:

This is a belated birthday-friendship-you've been through a rough patch gift (quilt). We love you! We think the world of you. You are a constant in our lives we appreciate your calm, loving spirit. You enjoy beauty and you have helped us look at the world and seek out the beauty found in the arts.

We have learned to be more "family first" because of you. Your gracious spirit is the epitome of GRACE. You are a true disciple of Jesus Christ and we want to be more like you.

I recently read a quote from Donna Ashworth that applies especially to Cindy and frankly to all the members of Book Club, a group of women filled with gracious givers and receivers.

If every single person who has liked you in your lifetime, were to light up on a map, it would create the most glitteringly beautiful network you could imagine. Throw in the stranger you've been kind to, the people you've made laugh, or inspired along the way and that star-bright network of YOU would be an impressive sight to behold. You're so much more than you think you are. You have done so much more than you realize. You're trailing a bright pathway that you don't even know about. What a thing. What a thing indeed.

A bucketful of love is in these stitches...

Quilt #113 Wes Brown donated by Mary Duke

 

Quilt #113 was donated to Wes Brown by Mary Duke. Wes Brown had a very close call with an aneurysm a few months back. He was very blessed to beat the odds.

There is love in the stitches for this miracle man.

Quilt #112 Gabby MacConaghy donated by Esther Russell and Mary Duke

Quilt #112 was created and donated to Gabby MacConaghy by her friends Esther Russell and Mary Duke. Gabby has had diabetes for several years. She has had all kinds of struggles with it since she was diagnosed. She moved to an assisted living facility a few years ago with her husband and often feels completely overwhelmed by her health problems.

This quilt was given to her to remind her that she is missed in the old neighborhood. These ward sisters  think of her often and love her dearly. 

We add our love in the stitches for sweet Gabby.

 

Quilt #111 KayCee Sawyer donated by Kelly Chinn

Quilt #111 was presented to Kaycee Sawyer by her friend Kelly Chinn. 

Kelly writes:

My dear friend KayCee Sawyer's family was forever changed on July 25, 2021. Six family members were involved in a horrible dust storm accident on !-15. Five of the six family members did not survive the accident. KayCee lost a son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.

KayCee is a wonderful example of selfless service, charity and has a genuine love for everyone she meets.

The pattern for this gifted quilt is called, "Layers of Love." In the middle of the quilt are the names of the precious loved ones lost. There are so many people who love and adore KayCee. I hope this quilt will help her feel the "Layers of Love" and comfort from all those who do.

The names were embroidered by Leanne and the quilting was done by Donna.

It is interesting to note that this quilt was donated by Kelly Chinn, the sister in law of one of my dearest friends Toni Martin. Toni passed in 2019 and at her funeral the pews were covered with the many quilts Toni had gifted in her life.  The memory of her service continues to inspire.

There is such love in the stitches for KayCee and her loved ones.

 

Quilt #110 Denny Gunderson donated by Mary Duke

Quilt #110 was presented to Denny Gunderson by Mary Duke.

Mary writes:

 Denny and his wife Jerry have had a really rough couple of years with health concerns. This quilt was going to go to Jerry who was in the hospital and a rehab center for a couple of months. The quilt was almost finished when suddenly Jerry passed away. So it was given to Denny instead. I hope it brings some comfort. The quilt is done in Jerry's favorite colors of blue and white (Jerry was Dutch). It's quilted with circles, the symbol of eternal love.

There is love in the stitches for this couple who were married by nearly 60 years. Their loving relationship lives on.

 

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.