Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Jackie's Quilt

 Odyn will be starting preschool soon - and with the sweet comes the sour because we will no longer be seeing his speech therapist Jackie every week. We first met when Aries needed services and we knew she would be back if Odyn decided to wait awhile to talk. She has become a friend and we often chat about things unrelated to how Odyn is pronouncing things. This time it will be much harder to say thank you because there are no other little ones that may bring her back to our door.
Aries was very delayed in speaking. We joked that Damien did all the talking for her. When she turned 2, and only knew how to say momma and dadda, we knew she would need someone to help her. Then Jackie came into play. Everyday that she pulled into our drive way Aries would be there greeting her at the door. In just a few months Aries was able to tell me with words what she wanted.
While Aries had her lessons, Odyn was only a couple months old, sitting in his seat quietly watching. The day came where Aries started preschool and Jackie had to go help other children. When Odyn turned 2 we again knew Jackie would be paying our family a visit. He was much different than Aries. She was bit more stubborn , not wanting to try new things or say new words. Odyn on the other hand was willing to try everything.
Today was Jackie's last visit. Next week Odyn will be 3 and ride the bus to preschool. How do you give thanks to someone who gave you the ability to understand your children? Because of her Odyn was able to tell her that the present she gave him for his birthday was, in his exact words, Awesome! So to pay thanks I broke out the sewing machine and got to work. Taking ques from her clothes, love for Anthropologie, and cute blue polka dotted clipboard - I picked the perfect fabric (Heather Bailey's Freshcuts). 
What came about was a lovely quilt, just big enough to keep at the foot of the bed or on the back of the couch. My hope is every time Jackie feels the slightest chill she reaches for this blanket for warmth, thinking of us. She has warmed our hearts in more than one way.

7 comments:

Ina said...

Lovely...the quilt AND the story. ;p

Anonymous said...

You did a great job. :)

Jenniffer said...

So fantastic- what a gift of love! I'm amazed at how deftly you can pair all those patterns and colors!

And I know first hand how wonderful child therapists are: my youngest has seen many.

Miss Val's Creations said...

What a wonderful thank you gift. People like Jackie, who really help children, are amazing! The quilt is so gorgeous and feminine.

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Lovely quilt and lovely story of how it all came about!
V x

Lora said...

that quilt is absolutely gorgeous! i used some of those same prints on a little patchwork quilt for my daughter that i made a few years ago. (http://eagerhands.blogspot.com/2007/04/blog-post.html)
thanks for entering my giveaway!
lora

amy said...

love the quilt! and I really love seeing combinations of fabrics that I wouldn't have normally used looking so awesome together. very inspiring! xo amy