AnnieO

My mom was known for her quilts; especially the baby quilts she made for each grandchild. She put a lot of planning, thought and love into each quilt. The colors, the pattern(s) selected and threads resulted in a quilt that was not only stunning, but also seemed to reveal the child's personality as it would emerge in the years to come. While sitting by my Mom's bedside day and night as she passed away from breast cancer in November 2012, I made her a promise; one that I found emotionally overwhelming. I told her that I would take great care in making the baby quilt for her 11th grandchild which was due at any moment. I knew after a week of sitting with her that she was trying to hold onto life so that she could meet this baby and make one more quilt. As I saw her frail body declining, I knew her desire was not attainable. I promised I would follow in her footsteps and make sure that not only this child, but all the children born into our family would receive a special quilt made by me personally, Although she could no longer open her eyes or speak at this point, I knew she was glad she began teaching me to quilt 27 years ago. I also hoped she knew that her love would stretch all the way from heaven to this new baby and also to the future babies as well. Her love would travel through the gift of a special quilt that was birthed in her heart. Since her passing, I have made 7 of these baby quilts. The first was the hardest to make. There was nothing I could do to make it "good enough." Nothing seemed like it could ever come close to comparing with one that would have been from Grandma. Her quilts were far too perfect in every way for this to be a worthy gift. Every quilt since has gotten a little easier as I have settled myself into accepting that my style and my skills are my own - and can't be compared to anyone else - even to my Mom's. I have made each quilt carefully with lots of time and love, adding a similar heart shaped label just like she placed on the back as her quilts. The differences being that mine are machine embroidered and read "Love, Auntie Annie" instead of "Love, Grandma Vesta." Not only are quilts a wonderful gift to give, but the gift of teaching our children to quilt is as well. Both of my daughters are learning to quilt and ask to quilt with me all the time. These special hours will never be ones wished spent differently. In closing, I just want to say a special thank you to my Mom in heaven for teaching me to quilt. Also to all the moms and grandmas out there who are passing on this timeless skill. It is truly priceless!!