You guys – we are close, so very close to being done with the house in California. We sign papers for the close next week and have a final walk through with the new owners and then we are heading up to Washington. It is just amazing! This has been the focus of life for so long. We are so excited to be nearing completion and so ready to move into the new house!
Much of the house looks like this! There is still a lot to be loaded into the last Pod and we have some movers coming to help with that next week.
Spring break is here in California. Julia went on a trip to New York to spend time with her brother and sister-in-law who live there. She seems to be having a blast. They have walked many miles and she has seen a lot. I am not exactly sure how she is suddenly an adult and able to travel across the country on her own. It is mind boggling because wasn’t it only last week she was twelve years old???
This sweet girl had her first T-Ball practice yesterday. She loved it. Today she went to a thrift shop and got some cleats which (obviously) make her run much, much faster. This grammy is pretty excited to go watch some fast paced T-Ball action once we get up there!
Last October this beautiful quilt was donated to Mercyful Quilts. It came from Deb in California. You might remember that the families of patients are offered the opportunity to choose a quilt as they say good bye to their loved one.
This quilt was chosen by a woman for her husband. One thing that makes this extra special to me is that the young man who passed away was an organ donor. This quilt was laid upon him as he was taken on the Honor Walk to surgery for organ donation. During this last walk, all available staff, and any family who is able to, line the hallway used to take the patient to the OR to show respect and gratitude for the gift being given by this person. This touches me deeply.
Clearly he and his family felt the great importance of organ donation and what that means to our community, giving to others, and being selfless. In a (much smaller) way, we quilters hold these same values when we make quilts for people we will never know and offer them up, being selfless, showing how much we value community and giving to others. This young guy passed away far too soon and will not be here to raise the baby they are expecting. I hope this quilt will bring comfort to his wife and maybe someday to their child.
As always, thank you for continuing to support Mercyful Quilts. Truly, these quilts you make and donate bring such comfort to people at a time when it is deeply needed. If you are participating in Hands2Help this year, Mercyful Quilts is one of the very fortunate recipients of quilts this year. We want to thank you all in advance for possibly choosing us to receive a quilt. For more information on this year’s event, click here and you’ll be taken over to Academic Quilter.
I am guessing that the next time I post, I will be a Washington resident! Yikes, that is so exciting!!
Bernie, oh my this quilt gifting brought me to tears. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving. So precious the young wife has such a heart warming quilt to share with their child someday. Happy sad is all I can say. It is such a blessing to be an organ donor and share the ultimate gift of living on.
I know how busy you are with the giant step to your new forever home but if you know the pattern name of this heart quilt, please share. I have been collecting fabrics for a very special young woman who lost her mother much too young to breast cancer and a heart quilt would be perfect for her.
Best wishes as you pack the last Pod (aren’t they the perfect way to move??!!!) and we look forward to hearing about your Washington adventures. Blessings! Dawn
PS: Yes, Julia was 12 last week!! They truly grow up too quickly. She is a very lovely young woman with a bright future ahead.
Hi Dawn, What a nice note. I do have a pattern – I am not sure it was the same one as used for this quilt but it would work. Here is a link:
https://stashbandit.net/free-patterns/to-you-with-love-free-quilt-pattern/
Hope this helps!
xo,
Bernie
Thanks Bernie this will be perfect for Julia’s memory quilt. She will love it. Thank you and best of luck with your move.
Dawn
It is touching to know that in the midst of all the ugliness we hear about in the news, there are people who still show kindness, love, respect and honor. To know of the Honor Walk touches me deeply as well. Thank you for sharing that. I’m so glad Julia is enjoying her visit with her brother and sister-in-law and seeing the sights of NYC. Of course H needs cleats – she’ll run even faster when you are in the stands, cheering her on 🙂 I’m so excited for you to be in your new home!
Well Julia is on a plane heading home. H had practice today and was running like an Olympian. We are about done packing and are spending time with a few friends here and there, saying goodbye. Life is good. 🙂
So excited for you. My own move is still months away in the future, but reading about your success makes me wishful for my own move. Looking at that quilt, I have to wonder how much quilting should be done on these quilts that are being given away? I’m thinking that my long arm quilting friend does a very large pattern in order to finish the quilt quickly. Because these quilts will no doubt be washed frequently, I imagine they should have more quilting, yes/no?
Hi Carol, Thanks for the note. As for the quilting density, I usually abide by the batting. Different battings need different quilting densities. It is usually noted on the packaging. I personally like to have lap quilts with less density because the quilt feels softer. Art quilts look great with dense quilting. But a lap or bed quilt needs to be cozy (in my opinion) and less quilting keeps it softer.
Does it matter if the quilt will be washed frequently? I wouldn’t want my quilts to fall apart in the wash.
Oh, my – the story of that particular comfort quilt touched me deeply. I knew about the Honor Walk but never considered a comfort quilt in that context, especially one with hearts. Wow. THANK YOU for sharing that story with us.
Hi Julie – when the nurse at Mercy reached out to me with this story I was so sad for this family. But also so satisfied to hear of a meaningful use of a comfort quilt. The heart pattern is perfect and I would love to make one for Mercy after hearing about this. It is a beautiful design for this purpose. Thanks for your note.
B.
I hope all the last details settle into place smoothly. Enjoy all these moments and I look forward to following along as you settle into Washington. Take care!
What a beautiful story, that such sadness will bring hope to others. Best of luck on your move, and I hope your new home brings you joy. Share lots of photos with us!
What a wonderful story of a quilt that gave so much comfort. I am amazed that your move is imminent and know the joys and sorrows of such a move. I still miss the house we spent raising our son in; I think I always will. I think that is a good thing – it means it was a good house for us and good memories. Good luck with it all! Quilts are in the queue, not sure which is a Mercyful quilt, but I am sure there is at least one or two going their way this year.
That story is so sad but amazing too.
Oh Bernie, this story is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. There is such a finality about Death and yet life keeps going on. I believe that the Mercyful Quilts help the families do just that – accept the loss, cherish the memories and keep on living. Lots of Love and Hugs for all that you do. Happy Easter to you!