Now... for the story!! Brace yourself, it is a very COOOOL story!!!!!! Let me know what you think....
I have always been fascinated with quilts, even as a little girl. Since I've lived in Blairsville, I've said I want to learn to quilt. "One of these days...."
Last week, I got a slip of paper in the mail. A package was waiting at the Post Office, it could not be delivered because the snow on our driveway!! The next day, Chris and I ventured out to do some errands, one of which was picking up the mystery package. I had no idea what awaited me. I've always LOVED surprises, and was getting a little more than curious~
Once I got into the Post Office, waited in line, patiently awaited as the clerk retrieved my package, I could hardly stand the excitement!! The first thing I did was look at the return address. I didn't have a clue who this person was, and why they would have absolutely stuffed this box full of whatever it was stuffed with!!
As soon as I got back to the car, Chris helped me open the prized package. By this time, I was REALLY excited. As I opened the end of the box, I could see it was a quilt. I completely fell in love with it immediately, still not having a clue from where it came!!
Neatly folded in the folds of the quilt was a brightly colored paper. Here is what it contained:
"Dear Krista,
I am wirting to you about this gift from my heart that I have sent you. Back in March of 2010 Amy W nominated you on my blog for a chance to be the recipient of a "RAndom Act of Kindness." You were one of 3 to win. I have 3 grown daughters who read all of the comments and picked the winners. My daughter Shannon picked you.
Your story of faithfulness and suffering has touched our lives. To be a Mother, ministers wife and a teacher is a true example to us all.
My plans were to five you a quilt that my Granny made but about a month after I posted this, my Granny passed away. My heart was so sad and I didn't know what I was going to give you and the other 2 winners. I just knew the Lord wanted me to give you a quilt. My granny was 96 and still made 3 quilts a week. She was such a blessing to me. Once she was gone I put the "Random Act of Kindness" on the back burner and started working on another gift for you all. But in my heart I just knew I was supposed to give you a quilt.
My Dad (76 years old) had started quilting right before Granny passed away. He could not make a quilt for months after she left us. He was so sad and missed his MOm. Then out of the blue he brought several quilts over and asked me to sell them for him. I was so happy to see him quilting again. And then it hit me.... I was suppose to give you a quilt!! The Lord sent my dad to me. Daddy's quilts are not perfect, just like Granny's weren't. But they are wonderful, cuddly, usable quilts made with love. I want you to use this quilt with your children. Let them play on it, eat on it and then let them snuggle under it with you and their Dad. Please consider this a gift from me to honor you are you serve your family, church and community. And give Amy a hug for nominating you and sharing your story. I admire you more than words can say. enjoy your quilt."
She also included the kind words that Amy used to nominate me.
There are not words for what I felt at this moment in time..... overwhelmed, humbled, sad, happy.... plus so many more....
Of all the gifts I've received during the last year, this has to be the coolest. Not because it was a surprise, or kind words were used, or because someone made me something. I am convinced this is a God thing... "The Lord told me I was suppose to give you a quilt...." I have heard the analogy before of ones life being compared to the differnt components of a quilt. Seperately, the pieces may not be very attractive. Sometimes there are ugly things that happen in our lives. Sometimes, there are some pretty cool things that happen. There is the mundane and even the occasional surprise. Much like a quilt... these things are woven together to paint the picure of our life.
To me, this quilt is much more than a gift from some strangers heart. It is such the reminder that the analogy is so true. I (like we all) have had some pretty crappy things in the past several years. (The death of family and really close friends, my own battle with breast cancer, and all that comes with 'regular' life). I've also had some pretty happy times (our oldest graduated and is doing well in college, I have been so very blessed with TRUE friends, there have been some really fun family vacations and time with others and many more) I've also had mundane things... just every day life... cooking, laundry, cleaning, etc. There have also been surprises. Gifts here and there, precious cards, phone calls, a sunset. (There have also been some not so fun surprises, but that is just 'life'...)
As I look upon this beautiful gift, I see all those things in my life. There are some beatuiful pieces of fabric pieced together. There are some straight stitches (mundane) and some not so straight ones (the surprises in the mundane)....
The other reason this is such a beautiful gift is this: I think, for both parties involved, it represents healing. For me... this is almost a year after I was nominated, and I am WELL on the road to healing!!! (Thank the LORD). For the family who sent it... it represents healing because the father was able to pick up and go on with the art of quilting after the passing of his mom.
So. That is the story of my quilt. The most precious gift...
Thank you, Amy, for the nomination. I know that you had no idea at the time that the time you took to do this would turn out to be such a big thing for me. God used you in a huge way. Thanks for your obedience!!
Pretty cool story, huh??
