The members of the Buckhorn Area Quilters’ Guild were treated to one of those special occasions at the April meeting. It came in the form of a story that was presented by one of the members. She was approached by a friend to see if the quilter knew anyone who would make a memory quilt from clothing, for his 40 year old ‘Little Brother’s mother’.  This lad had died and his mother was having a difficult time dealing with her grief.

One member of the guild made the top and another provided the batting and made the backing out of ‘fish’ fabric, as he loved to fish. A third quilter did the quilting on it.

Shawn’s mom was completely overwhelmed (in a good way!) and cried for a long time when she saw it.  She wanted to be able to thank the quilters involved. Her friends were hoping that this quilt would help her finally move on with her life. Below is the thank you note Shawn’s mom sent followed by a picture of the quilt. In the centre of the quilt is the nightie that Shawn wore when he came home from the hospital as a newborn. The other fabrics came from his clothes.

To the quilting ladies

Thank you so very much for my son’s memory quilt. It’s the most beautiful quilt I have ever seen.  I feel like I’m holding him again. To see all the work you have put into it warms my heart, no one has ever done anything like that for us. You are all amazing women and I’ll always  remember you did this for me and my wonderful son Shawn.  To see the clothes he wore and the baby nightie he came home in fills my heart again. I cried so hard when I saw it, remembering when he wore it and where we were, times I had forgotten, for the last 5 years all I remember is the last day,  my heart is so empty and I feel so lonely, but when I look  at the quilt I remember good things.  I will hold you all in my heart,  just saying thank you  is not enough, you are very special women and you have big hearts, my husband even had tears in his eyes, he said it was stunning. Thank you again  from the bottom of my heart.  I know my son thanks you to for giving me some memories back.  I will never forget you.