Wrapped in Quilted Memories

The doctor’s words echo through my head,

“No weight-bearing on that knee for 6-8 weeks….
and keep it elevated!”

I’m down on the couch…and wallowing in the dumps feeling sorry for myself, when Pa gently wraps me up in the warmth and memories of my favorite family quilt.

I smooth it out over my lap, and my hand runs over a block of material that I know without looking.  This is a piece of Faye Faye’s seersucker pedal pushers she wore each spring.  All of a sudden, I’m lying in her lap as she reads, Raggedy Ann's Wishing Pebble to Kim and me.   We’re rocking in the swing under the pear tree.  A tear rolls down my cheek as I remember those special moments. 

Faye Faye, my grandmother, taught us to love books, poems, and storytelling, and gave us her lifelong love of learning!

Moving up to get more comfortable, a dark quilt block brushes against my leg.  Pulling it close to get a good look, I find myself smiling as I realize that this is a square from Granddaddy’s wool suit that he wore every Sunday.  It brushed my arm each time I walked hand-in-hand with him into the First Baptist Church where he was a deacon.  Granddaddy helped me to see God!

Now what is this?  I feel something hard and cold on an edge of the quilt.  Snaps!!!  Why, it’s PaPaw’s workshirt!  My fingers held tightly to those snaps on the front of his shirt as we plowed the rows up high on his tractor.  PaPaw taught us to love and respect the earth and the food and bounty she gives us.

My eye catches a pattern.  I hold it close and inhale deeply.  Its’s a piece of MaMaw’s stained apron.  It still smells like it did when she brought it in off the clothesline.  And, for some reason, as I gaze at the vintage cherry print, I can still taste that Jones Cake frosting that I always stuck my finger into when no one was looking.  MaMaw taught me the importance of serving those you love in everything you do.

Let’s see, what other treasures can I find?  There’s a bit of Mommy’s polka dotted dress that matched her blue eyes.  Daddy says he still gets goose bumps when he sees that picture of her wearing it.  My mommy taught me how to love one man with all of my heart…just like she and Daddy did.

Look at this!!!  I’ve not noticed it before.  Why, it’s a piece of Daddy’s old swim suit.  He wore it at the lake where he taught me to ski and swim, at the beach where we body-surfed and walked miles in the sand, and in the creeks where we camped and caught fish and crawdads.  Dad taught me how important family is and that the family who plays together, stays together…..and we did!


Ah, here’s a small edge of Katie Faye’s baby blanket which I often “borrowed” to put around Marybel, my Madame Alexander Doll.  My precious sister has always taught me that the love of a sister is far more precious than gold and that our friendship is one that can never be broken.

Today, memories sewn together with the stitches of time have made me thankful for the family God gave to me.  They’ve reminded me that no one He gives us is insignificant.   Each one becomes part of your story and teaches you the lessons you need to tackle life and make a difference in the lives of others. 

This old broken leg slowed me down a bit, but it helped me stop and take the time to remember how blessed I am.  I’m wrapped in a family quilt of love that is hemmed in God’s grace.