| From Mayhem to Quilts | | | | twenty of my foster children has had a design quilt |
| I'm taking a rare break from my hectic life to have a | | | | given to them as well-even if their stay was as short |
| cup of coffee and consider the new direction my life's | | | | as a month. Yes, these quilts are beautiful and colorful . |
| journey is taking me. Won't you take a short break as | | | | . . they are warm or lightweight depending on their |
| well and let me share my story? | | | | needs and season . . . but this is not what make them |
| We have a bustling household with my husband, two | | | | so special. |
| sons (21 and 22), and legal guardianship of three | | | | What makes a design quilt so special? It is the love |
| grandchildren (4, 8, and 12). We have also been foster | | | | imparted and the emotional impact it can have on not |
| parents to more than twenty foster children in the last | | | | only a small child, but an adult as well. Foster children |
| four years of varied ages for some time periods of | | | | are pulled from everything and everyone they know . . |
| two weeks to three years. Outside of the home, I | | | | . their whole little world is totally shattered in a matter |
| have been in the work force for more than 32 years | | | | of minutes when pulled from their homes. Often they |
| and a State of Kansas employee since 1974 - which | | | | are placed in several foster homes before a |
| makes my life very busy juggling both a large family | | | | permanent placement can be arranged legally. These |
| and career. | | | | little ones have nothing and no one, except sometimes |
| It is no wonder that my journey in life needs to change | | | | a sibling and even then, they are often separated into |
| now to accommodate my family's needs. If I retire | | | | different foster homes. A design quilt wraps them in |
| from government work, my grandchildren and foster | | | | love; they feel secure - like being hugged and it goes |
| children will have someone that can devote herself | | | | with them no matter where they are finally placed. A |
| more to family and school activities. Something my | | | | quilt is something that belongs to them and is not |
| own children had to only get in quick snatches of time | | | | jerked away from them, they can curl up in it and |
| between, my job and running a home . . . now we will | | | | remember the giver's love and feel safe from all the |
| be able to enjoy and enrich each other's lives more | | | | craziness of their little lives. |
| fully. I'll be there for them when they need someone to | | | | A newborn infant will cry out and scream as if in pain, |
| talk to, help with homework, someone to cheer them | | | | but when swaddled tight and secure in a blanket will |
| on, or simply share the day. | | | | feel safe and loved. An elderly adult can have a |
| Retirement will also offer a new adventure for me. | | | | design quilt with them to not only keep them warm, but |
| Since our family grew so quickly and unexpectedly, | | | | help them remember they have loved ones in the |
| we had to purchase a six-bedroom home to | | | | world that care. A quilt wraps you in love and some |
| accommodate everyone. The extra housing expense | | | | how seems to help with all the troubles that may be in |
| means that we will need an extra income during | | | | your life at the moment. |
| retirement to help with our family's finances. However, | | | | That's why I'm excited about this aspect of my life's |
| this has led us in a new direction that is exciting and | | | | journey. Giving to others the wonderful gift of love and |
| fulfilling. I've decided to open an online store for quilts! | | | | security, while being able to share and impart more |
| You might ask how is quilting so fulfilling? I have | | | | love and caring on my own extended family. My life |
| personally seen the love and emotional impact quilts | | | | might be a quieter life, but some how so much more |
| can have on little ones that have been tossed about | | | | fulfilling. Thank-you for spending time with me today |
| by life and hurt emotionally. My six grandchildren have | | | | and maybe you can give a design quilt to a cherished |
| had several design quilts made out of fabrics they | | | | loved one of your own. |
| have personally chosen and patterns that they liked. All | | | | |