Center block for hopeful's quilt -- the top will be done this weekend
Our friend, 2thanks (or William), is the caregiver to his wife, a woman in very fragile health. She suffers from a number of autoimmune disorders that have left her weak and physically helpless. William is her support -- he is their breadwinner and he cares for her around the clock, as well. The love these two share is very deep and so touching -- and it keeps William going even when he is exhausted. Caregiving is exhausting.
He recently had another stress and sadness...William's sister had end stage renal disease. Her kidney transplant didn't take and she chose to let nature take its course and to pass away in hospice. William was there, supporting her spirit, as she prepared to leave this mortal life. It was a peaceful death -- but it is still hard to lose someone close to an illness like that.
Let's put our arms around William with words of love -- words from which he can draw energy when he needs a boost.
Phil N DeBlanc's quilt
What is a community quilt? It is a quilt that contains loving messages from you, transcribed by me in archival ink on muslin. My sister and I stitch the quilts together with colorful fabric and love. These blankets do resonate with the love of many people. William will be able to use his anytime he needs a lift in spirit. What a powerful gift!
Phil N DeBlanc's quilt, showing the DFH paisley backing
It takes time and material to make a community quilt -- and it is our small living. If you would like to contribute toward the cost, here is a PayPal link -- or message me for an address should you prefer a check. $15/message is suggested but some give more to cover for messages from those who cannot afford to donate. All messages are welcome, regardless!
Phil N DeBlanc's quilt was Pootie approved by Betty
These people have left messages for 2thanks so far:
1. Pam from Calif
2. broths
3. mettle fatigue
4. JoanMar
5. JaxDem
6. Joy of Fishes
7. Avilyn
8. Dave in Northridge
9. commonmass
10. nancyjones
11. cfk in the Thumb of Michigan
12. kishinev
13. bigjacbigjacbigjac
14. FloridaSNMOM
15. nomandates
16. LilithGardner
17. Kitsap River
18. joedemocrat
19. Yasuragi
20. Louisiana 1976
21. navajo
22. One Pissed Off Liberal
23. rebel ga
24. peregrine kate and ProvokingMeaning
25. a2nite
26. hopeful
27. Kit RMP
Center block of the quilt for The Packhorse and irishwitch
Need inspiration? Here are a few of William's messages:
2thanks~ May this quilt offer warmth and knowledge that you are loved. Pam from Calif
2thanks
May you feel the love and admiration for all you do, from this community, in the warmth of this quilt. broths
Holding 2thanks in our hearts. mettle fatigue
To 2thanks with love. 2thanks has touched hearts on this site and he deserves every good thing. Hugs. JoanMar
in the stillness
admire all the beautiful things
you do each day JaxDem
Holding you in the light. Joy of Fishes
Meteor Blades' quilt patches -- 200 make the star
These are the community quilts 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, RIP)
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)
107. LoreleiHI (reversals of fortune, homelessness, hearing loss, PTSD)
108. Vetwife (caregiver to husband and other family members)
109. namvetkato (PTSD, Agent Orange related illnesses including heart disease, spinal stenosis, and intense chronic pain)
110. Annalize5 (lung cancer, diabetes and other chronic ailments)
111. The Packhorse (heart disease and diabetes) and irishwitch (caregiver)
112. Phil N DeBlanc (grieving widower)
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
Vetwife's quilt, detail
These quilts are planned:
triciawyse (multiple health problems)
MA Liberal (caretaker to her mother who has dementia)
Ellinorianne (rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia)
MsGrin (life long heart problems requiring multiple surgeries)
Dusty liked Phil N DeBlanc's quilt, too. We're hoping Phil's twelve cats will like it, as well!
PAYPAL LINK FOR 2THANKS' QUILT -- THANK YOU!
Boots says, "Thank you for supporting community quilts!"
Namaste.