Wednesday 3 June 2015

A Quilty Hug

Recently, I gained a new online friend in the form of Maria, who started commenting on my blog. I mentioned how she has donated quilts to a favourite charity in the USA, Happy Chemo! in my last post. She contacted me and said she would like to send me a quilt for comfort during my chemo sessions. As you can imagine, I was overwhelmed by this kindness and accepted with alacrity, although I felt I did need to remind her that I was located in the UK and that the postage may prove too much, but this did not deter her one bit!

Today, my beautiful quilt arrived, and I was so excited that I could hardly contain myself as I struggled to open the box and reveal the treasure within!

Here it is.

01 Quilt

02 Quilt

03 Detail of Pattern

04 Detail of Border

05 Folded Back to Reveal Underside

06 Detail of Maria's Message to Me

07 Underside of Quilt

08 Detail of Underside Panel

09 Detail of Main Underside Fabric

10 Detail of Top Pattern

11 Detail of Border

12 Quilt Rolled

13 Quilt Rolled - End View

Isn’t it stunning and beautiful? I am so, so thrilled with this marvellous gift.

In with the parcel, Maria had put this hilarious postcard for me – a little education for an ignorant Brit, from a full-blooded Southern Belle, on how English should be spoke!

14 Fun Postcard from Maria

I hope all y’all are as moved as I am by my new friend’s generosity and kindness. She knows only too well what it is like enduring the rigours of chemo, and how much a quilty hug can mean. Hop over to her blog and just take a look at all the beautiful quilts she has made. Not only is she a very skilled quilter, but I love her turn of phrase – she’s an excellent writer too!

Reading about her, and about Happy Chemo! challenged me to do something to bring a little cheer into the lives of my own fellow chemo sufferers, which is why I have started making my little lavender sachets to give them, to bring them the healing and comforting scent of English lavender from our neighbour’s garden.

As I endure the rigours of chemo in the months ahead, I know that as I look at my beautiful quilt and feel its texture and warmth, and revel in its colours and patterns, I shall be comforted and lifted out of myself, and even when I am feeling at my most poorly, to know that I am loved and cared for, and that people all around the world are praying for me, and I have more blessings in my life than I could possibly deserve, and how impossible it is to count them all.

When we hear everyday on the news of all the awful things that people do to each other in this world, it encourages me no end to know that not everybody is like that, and that there are people who reach out across the world and perform acts of kindness to bless others that they hardly know. I have been challenged a lot of late with the knowledge that I really do very little for other people, and how I could be using my own God-given skills and talents to bring some sunshine into the darkness of the lives of others. Thank you, Maria, not just for this wonderful quilt, but for giving me the push I needed to start doing this in a small way. May God bless you.

9 comments:

  1. The kindness of strangers is very beautiful isn't it.How lovely. A heart-warming story.Hope the quilt gives you the comfort it was meant to give.
    Lovely post.
    Judy

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  2. What a wonderful generous and kind gift! Your thoughts will always go out to Maria when you use it! I've been following your journey as you start treatment and know that you will be a wonderful inspiration to many in similar situations. May God bless you and your hubby abundantly! x

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  3. Such a beautiful story and such a beUtiful quilt, it is nice to know that others love you too, may you endure the struggle you have ahead knowing you can pull strength from any of us if the need arises. Bless you dear friend and stay strong

    Hugs Eliza & Yoda

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  4. What a beautiful and generous gesture! The quilt is obviously made and sent with love and I'm sure you will feel much comfort using it. Thinking of you.

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  5. Dear Shoshi

    Been following you on your health journey for many years.You have had challenges ,and you have got through them with such humility.A beautiful gift for a beautiful lady ,both inside and out.Take care and god bless your friend THE MELTING POT LADY.

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  6. I was really moved when I read your blog. I look on inspire as I suffered a heart attack this year aged50. My mum has just started chemo and I am a quilter! So this was of personal interest for me. Quilts are made with love - so believe me, you are loved. I make quilts with special feelings for the special people in my life. Take all the hugs from that quilt and enjoy the love.
    Very best wishes for a speedy recovery.
    With love from Pauline xx

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for such a lovely response, Pauline, and I'm so glad you enjoyed this blog post. I really do feel loved, with my beautiful quilt, and all the kind thoughts and prayers for me going up all around the world! Thank you for your good wishes for my recovery.

      Shoshi

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  7. My sister was the lucky recipient of such a quilt, too, I thought then and do still that this is a wonderful charity. I'm not a quilter, but I crochet. My sister was always cold during her chemo --- she would sit up in bed under her quilt, but the top half of her was never warm. I crocheted a shrug for her to wear, and she loved it. Between the two items, she was much more comfortable. Your gifted quilt is so beautiful! Maria is a wonderful person for sure. Only those who have experienced what you're going through can truly understand what it's like. Keep on keeping on, Shoshi.

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  8. I am so glad you like it, and I'll be thinking of you this Friday as you go back for another treatment. Hugs to you!

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