With Honor

(affiliate links to my fabric designs)

I did this really stupid thing the week of Thanksgiving. I always forget something when we go on the road. Always. I forgot my helmet one year for Ride the Rockies. Had to buy a new one in the first town. Forgot my cycling shoes the following year and had to buy a new pair in the starting town. The first time we were able to visit my in-laws after March 2020, I forgot my computer mouse and had to buy a new one so I could work from away-from-home. It never fails. I always forget something.

For my mother-in-law's birthday, I forgot to take her birthday present I worked so hard to finish in time. Now I have a choice of mailing it, or giving it to her at Christmas along with the matching quilt I hope to have done by then. (I mailed it, and she should receive it today.)

I had ordered two fat quarters for her husband's Christmas present, a pin quilt he requested. The first fat quarter seemed too dark to me. The second one was pastel and just what I thought he wanted. He asked to see a photo of it during the Thanksgiving holiday, knowing it would spoil the "surprise" of the Christmas gift. Good thing I showed it; he decided he wants something completely different. Together, we designed it just the way he wants it. After I ordered the Spoonflower fat quarter, he asked if I could make one more change. I was just about ready to silently throw in the towel and try not let him see me roll my eyes, but all he wanted was a buttonhole beneath the insignia so he can attach a lapel medal he earned during his wartime service. Whew!

The pin quilt will be what he leaves to his remaining daughter and two grown grandsons. Although Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time of gathering, celebrating and enjoying, there were many memories shared by Lizard's parents and uncle, each of whom lost a loved one in the last year. The passing of Lizard's half-sister, aunt-in-law and uncle resulted in many conversations of what we leave behind when we, too, pass. Even though I am making this pin quilt for my father-in-law, it really is for those he will leave behind when he passes, hopefully not too soon.

The pin quilt will afford my father-in-law the opportunity to organize his war medals and patches in a way he can be proud of his accomplishments right now but also a way to pass them on in a way they might be appreciated and properly cared for. He seemed to really enjoy showing me many of the treasures which will be displayed on the finished pin quilt. I was hoping to have the pin quilt finished this week, but the new fat quarter has not arrived yet.

Now I just have to decide what to do with the first two fat quarters. I'm tempted to use them as pillow stuffing!!!

Linking up with Alycia Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

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Fingerprint Friday

My thoughts today are with those who can't be with their families.

One of my co-workers helped found a non-profit organization that sends shoebox-sized care packages to the troops each Christmas. Almost everyone in my office contributes every year. This year was harder, and donations were down. But we just received word the total sent this year was more than 2,000 pounds. I find that simply amazing!

An even brighter Christmas miracle is that all 527 packages arrived before Christmas, even though they were sent late this year to accommodate one unit's relocation. We have been receiving emails this week from some of the recipients, people we may never meet but who feel like part of our family now.

One commanding officer wrote: "Your generosity is touching. Like many of the Soldiers under my command, we are here for our 2nd and 3rd tours in Iraq, and so we see how out of touch back home in America many people are. It is people and families like you guys that help remind us there are people in the States who still live by a set of values and morals that we should be passing along to our children, not those of materialism and possession. Thank you for your kindness and goodwill; the snacks and toiletries would be taken for granted by many but not those of us here. Thank you and enjoy your holidays with your families. In the end, family is all that is truly important."

The Lizard and I didn't have much to send this year, just like many others. The wishlist included, among a host of basic necessities, MP3s and magazines. So I sent about 400 songs from my 80s and 90s CD collection, and The Lizard parted with some of his favorite cycling magazines. The best Christmas gift is not the one you receive. It's the one you give.

Merry Christmas!

***

Steven Curtis Chapman sings:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with
The fingerprints of God

PamperingBeki challenges bloggers each Friday to discover, recognize and see God's fingerprints and share them with the rest of the world. See instructions to join in here. Also check the other blogs linked there to see more great Fingerprints!

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