UnaSpenser's quilt -- she wrote a beautiful thank you diary that I did not see until today
Vetwife is a warrior woman, fighting hard for veterans so that they may receive the benefits to which they are entitled and for all sorts of people suffering from misfortune. Her heart is huge and empathetic because she has survived a lot of suffering, herself.
She has survived cancer. For many years, she has supported her husband through the horrors of his Vietnam service related PTSD and now she is supporting him as he adjusts to being in a wheelchair. She has supported multiple family members through various health problems -- and is now raising a grandbaby because her daughter's health is so poor. Vetwife does so much -- and somehow manages to keep going even though the caregiving she so faithfully gives is extremely exhausting...
We are making a quilt to remind her how appreciated she is and how admired. We want her to know her friends are with her in spirit, all the time.
We are looking for 68 messages for this quilt. So far, we are 7 messages and $7 short for this quilt.
UnaSpenser's quilt, showing the backing
What is a community quilt? It is a colorful quilt containing words of love and support from you, transcribed by me onto muslin in archival ink. My sister and I sew the messages with together with vibrant fabrics -- and the result is something pretty powerful. When a quilt recipient wraps themself in loving words, they feel it. And that love never washes out. Vetwife will have the support of a community in a blanket she can use at any time she needs a little extra moral support.
UnaSpenser's quilt, detail
It takes time and material to make a community quilt. If you would like to help with the cost, here is a PayPal link - or message me for an address if you prefer a check. $15/message is suggested although some give more to cover for messages for those who can't afford to donate. My sister and I thank you for your support!
Dusty inspects paradox's quilt
These people have left messages for Vetwife so far:
1. Youffraita
2. glitterscale
3. llbear
4. Louisiana 1976
5. FloridaSNMOM
6. broths
7. Ojibwa
8. JekyllnHyde
9. BlueDragon
10. Ebby
11. chuckvw
12. blue jersey mom
13. ridemybike
14. cfk in the Thumb of Michigan
15. JaxDem
16. mimi
17. maggiejean
18. 3 goldens
19. Christin
20. weck
21. scamperdo
22. Dragon5616
23. escapee
24. Pam from Calif
25. Mapamp
26. Proud Mom and Grandma
27. Damnit Janet
28. Otteray Scribe
29. Diane in NoVa
30. ramara
31. Lissablack
32. Corvinus
33. Lorikeet
34. Navajo
35. Caddis Fly
36. Kitsap River
37. Arkieboy
38. racheltracks
39. glorificus
40. Meteor Blades
41. Joedemocrat
42. HedwigKos
43. Ooooh
44. 2thanks
paradox's quilt
Need inspiration? Here are a few of the messages so far:
You have helped so many others, actively and by example, always ready and able to help others, pushing through all odds and barriers to do what often seems impossible! May this quilt comfort you and remind you that your works and words and most of all YOU are loved and appreciated by this community. HedwigKos
Thanks to Vetwife I was able to get VA benefits for my Agent Orange-related condition. She is truly remarkable! No one is more dedicated to Veterans' causes. Arkieboy
You do so much for others, it's time for us to show our love for you. Wrap yourself in the quilt and feel its magic. Lorikeet
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you. - - Ancient Celtic prayer translated from ancient runes Otteray Scribe
Your battles are our battles. You never march alone as along as you're a Kossack. scamperdo
Although there are many miles between us, let the stitches bring you smiles and this quilt remind you of the big hug we will give each other when we finally meet! weck
paradox's quilt, showing the backing
These community quilts have been completed to date:
1. othniel (cellulitis and ensuing complications, RIP)
2. exmearden (cancer of heart and lung, RIP)
3. MsSpentyouth (brain tumor)
4. Moe99 (lung cancer, RIP)
5. Michelle Caudle (ovarian cancer, RIP)
6. BFSkinner (lupus)
7. Kitsap River (long wait for kidney donor that ended 2/18/11)
8. Frederick Clarkson (blood clots)
9. Dreaming of Better Days (lymphoma)
10. one bite at a time (lost house and belongings to fire)
11. Timroff (cellulitis)
12. Sol Fed Joe (multiple cancers and health problems)
13. Brubs (AIDS, immune reconstitution syndrome)
14. rserven (gall bladder infection with dangerous complications)
15. grndrush (brain tumor, RIP)
16. ImpeachKingBushII (needs liver transplant)
17. andsarahtoo (lupus)
18. Frank Cocozzelli (muscular dystrophy)
19. luvsathoroughbred (breast cancer)
20. Predictor (stroke and HIV)
21. Austex54 (caretaker to othniel)
22. Theodore Olbermann, RIP
23. cskendrick (antibiotic resistant infection)
24. Keith Olbermann (caregiver to father)
25. Juan (cancer)
26. Ana (a young horse belonging to Juan, hit by truck)
27. MA Liberal’s mother (Alzheimer’s)
28. Charles CurtisStanley (caretaker to Kitsap River)
29. Lorikeet (cervical cancer)
30. Dr. Lori (metastatic cancer)
31. ulookarmless (cancer, heart condition, stroke, RIP)
32. riverlover (caregiver to husband suffering from liver failure, now widowed)
33. Melody Townsel (caregiver to dying father, now deceased)
34. dadanation (AIDS)
35. Dr. William F. Harrison (leukemia, RIP)
36. Larry Bailey (sudden loss of partner to heart attack)
37. ramara (adopted son with fetal alcohol syndrome)
38. Noor B (herniated disk from car accident)
39. Louisiana 1976 (fibromyalgia, severe arthritis, depression)
40. stumpy (MS, stroke, RIP)
41. bleeding heart's niece (cancer, RIP)
42. escapee (failure of corneal surgery)
43. SarahLee (lymphoma, Lyme Disease)
44. Bustergirl (ovarian cancer)
45. mimi's niece (cancer, RIP)
46. ZenTrainer (breast cancer)
47. Miss Blue (severe injury to shoulder, anxiety over coverage for surgery)
48. Granny Doc (bladder cancer, RIP)
49. mango (heart attack)
50. nudger (ovarian cancer, RIP)
51. DaNang65 (heart condition)
52. Lt. Choi (exhaustion)
53. Nurse Kelley (spinal stenosis)
54. Ben Masel (lung cancer, RIP)
55. Otterary Scribe (caregiver, grieving grandfather, grieving widower)
56. Aji (autoimmune diseases incl. fibromyalgia, inflammatory arthritis, & Chronic Epstein-Barr Virus Syndrome)
57. JaxDem (suddenly widowed)
58. DavidW (AIDS and other undiagnosed illness)
59. Jester the Marine (facing amputation of leg)
60. peregrine kate (endometrial cancer)
61. mimi (grief due to family illnesses)
62. alliedoc (endometrial cancer, RIP)
63. labwitchy (diffuse scleroderma)
64. Daily Kos (celebrating community)
65. belinda ridgewood (sudden loss of her mother)
66. princesspat (blood clots, deep vein thrombosis)
67. Scott Olsen (severe head injury)
68. SensibleShoes (caring for sister with brain cancer)
69. Joanna (cancer)
70. cany (grieving caretaker of mother with dementia)
71. Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse (breast cancer)
72. Scottie Thomaston (intense chronic pain from spine, kidney stones)
73. paradise50 (throat cancer)
74. woodtick (caregiver to mother with Alzheimer's)
75. BeninSC (mulitple fractures from bicycle accident)
76. Adrian (colon cancer)
77. Smoh (breast cancer, stroke, depression)
78. slksfca (sudden onset of arthritis requiring hip replacement)
79. arizonablue (grief and exhaustion)
80. Lorikeet (grieving widow - this quilt was a gift from the Rescue Rangers)
81. remembrance (breast cancer) and Glen the Plumber (her caregiver)
82. MassHarry (colon cancer)
83. Regina in a Sears Kit House (severe immune problems from Lyme Disease)
84. nannyboz (grief for father, crippling back pain requiring surgery)
85. raina (grief)
86. earicicle (breast cancer)
87. AntKat (cancers of the throat, RIP)
88. Alma (breast cancer)
89. DarkHawk98 (lung cancer)
90. llbear (brittle diabetic)
91. michelewin (grief and trauma)
92. Dave in Northridge (grieving widower)
93. racheltracks (complications from knee surgery)
94. Ebby (grief and stress)
95. Leaves on the Current (cancer)
96. Carol in San Antonio (cancer)
97. commonmass (grieving widower)
98. Clytemnestra (DES daughter, debilitating abdominal pain and bleeding)
99. Oke (survived life threatening pulmonary infection, COPD, depression)
100. shanikka (diverticulitis, intestinal abscess and life threatening infection)
101. Serpents Choice (grief)
102. smarx (caregiver to mother who has dementia)
103. FloridaSNMOM (COPD, chronic pain, anxiety over access to health care)
104. Timaeus (enormous hernia requiring major surgery)
105. paradox (cyclic vomiting syndrome, PTSD, depression)
106. UnaSpenser (Lyme Disease)
See also these three posts about the community quilt project:
KosAbility: A Virtual Quilt for Sara and Ann, from Community Quilt recipients
We Have Something to Say to YOU, Sara R and winglion!
Community Quilt FlashMob Brightens up NN13
Timaeus' quilt
These quilts are planned:
Annalize5 (lung cancer)
MA Liberal (caretaker to her mother who has dementia)
Ellinorianne (rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia)
MsGrin (life long heart problems requiring multiple surgeries)
FloridaSNMOM's quilt, detail
PAYPAL LINK FOR VETWIFE'S QUILT - THANK YOU!
Boots says, "Thank you for supporting community quilts!"
Namaste.