I am so honored to be the person that made your memory blanket. I'd like you to know how much this project meant to me, and what I can only imagine it will mean to you and your family.
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| right before final piecing |
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| graphs used for layout |
What started out as 5 big bags full of your childhood history turned into a carefully crafted family heirloom. Over the past seventeen years, your mother selected and saved pieces of clothing from your childhood and teenage years with the intention of having them all combined to create one precious TRULY priceless keepsake. When I started cutting the tiny baby clothes I could not help but imagine a tiny little girl dressed in each sweet dress. I imagine that your parents lovingly admired you when you wore each of them. I imagine photos being taken, words being exchanged, smiles, laughter and memories- lots of sweet memories that will grant you joy and comfort as you navigate your way into adulthood.
The bathing suits, jackets, jeans and the t-shirts from gymnastics, swim school, girls scout camps, soccer, races, charity events, cheerleading, concerts, and Broadway shows made it clear that your parents gave you a full, enjoyable, happy life with so many incredible experiences. While I set aside piles of scrap pieces after cutting the perfect part of each piece of clothing to sew together on the blanket, I found myself hoping that you know full well how deeply you are cherished by your parents. No one needed to tell me that they made a happy, memorable childhood for their daughter a great priority. These seemingly endless piles of clothing showed me that their time, energy, resources, and loving hearts contributed unconditionally toward loving and celebrating you as their daughter.
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| marking and piecing |
As I worked on piecing this blanket together, my own children (boys ages 15, 13, and 10) along with many of their friends (mostly boys, too) pondered the project. Anything from "Manasquan SUCKS!" (hey, they're from Neptune, St. Rose, and Ocean) to "Wow. That's a lot of stuff." to "Uhmmm... this is a little bit extreme." to "Did her mom spend her whole life saving clothes for this blanket? Who does that?" to "Are you sure this girl isn't going to freak out when she sees that you cut her clothes?" to "Yuck. Justing Beiber!!!" Their comments were varied and unique (as they all are) but one thing resonated through their banter: they knew without question that someone cared enough and cherished you enough to save all of your precious things: they could see that you are deeply loved. I hope that during difficult, challenging times in the years to come that you will hold on to that fact and let it strengthen you. I hope that you know your family's love as well as you know your own name; it should be something you never ever forget or doubt. It is now seamed carefully together for you to ponder whenever you wish. Even when you are not cuddled comfortably under this blanket, I hope that the love that it took to create every single memory that every single piece symbolizes will always surround you.
My youngest son started assessing his clothing and telling me what he intends to save for his own memory blanket. What started as an exciting challenging project ended in inspiration in the mind of my ten year old boy to create his own family heirloom. We went to the beach right after your mother came to pick up the blanket and he said (as he took his t-shirt off and threw it on the sand) "I want this shirt- my fourth grade celebration shirt- to be part of my memory blanket," right before he ran toward the ocean and tumbled into the waves. What a blessing it is to me that he was inspired by your family.
As in all handmade items (and all of life) you will find little flaws if you look closely. Some things were very difficult to sew together. Some things were traced out or cut slightly askew. Some pieces are imperfect. As there is no precise pattern to our lives, there was no precise pattern to this blanket. Nonetheless, this came straight from the hearts of people who dearly love you and that is why this blanket is so beautiful. I hope that you see that much like in life, the little flaws or mistakes are insignificant when compared to the big beautiful finished product.
When you have children of your own, I imagine that you will share the joy and warmth of this blanket and all the memories it symbolizes. When you are an old lady rocking in your chair, I imagine that this blanket will be draped across your lap as you look at each memory with sweet nostalgia and fondness. I imagine that your grandchildren will marvel at it and ask you about all the little pieces. You may even tire of telling the same story over and over again as they sit with you and look upon it with wonder, imagining the full, joyous life their grandmother lived as a child.
This project touched my life and the lives around me in ways I did not realize when I agreed to do the work. Everyone who knew I was making this blanket also knew that I was deeply honored to be the person to make such a precious family heirloom. Every piece ran through my hands and my sewing machines. I thank you for this little part I now have in your family history. I hope that many years from now, you might contact me with the hopes of making a memory blanket for your own child. If by chance I am too old to take on the work (and perhaps rocking in a chair with a memory blanket of my very own) do not worry. I intend to pass my trade on and I trust that I will find someone else who will feel as blessed and honored to stitch pieces of precious history together as I.
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| memories sewn together- almost 10ft x 10ft |
Happy graduation, Jessica. May this blanket always always remind you that you are covered and surrounded by love.
Sincerely,
Tina
