Blogger’s Quilt Festival: Anna’s Gift

When I was a kid, I had lots of aunts and uncles. The coolest aunt, naturally, was the youngest and childless one. It’s unfair but true: the one who doesn’t have her own kids has more time and attention to lavish on everyone else’s. I had a time as the Cool Aunt but ceded the title to my younger sister when I had offspring of my own; it’s a privileged position and a very special relationship unlike any other I’ve known.

Anyhow, Cool Aunt had two children of her own in due course; a girl and a boy. They were both neat kids and fun cousins for us. She shepherded her kids all the way into adulthood, then tragically lost her girlchild to asthma. The pain of losing her adult child was too much for my aunt: she lost her smile.

Her boychild continued to grow into his own adulthood; a few years after his sister died, my cousin got married. My aunt was thrilled, of course, but her overwhelming sadness remained. A couple of years later, along came Anna. Ordinary, delightful, sunny Anna. Cool Aunt’s first grandchild has been her saving grace, the one who pulled her up from the depths and brought back her ability to fully enjoy her days instead of trudging through them.

I recently met this child for the first time when we went to her state for a visit; we talked kidstuff together and I played blocks with her. Who am I to her? Nobody special, just a lady who stopped by to play. Who is she to me? She’s the one who made my Aunt find her joy again. The label on the back is very simple, just my initials, town and year; but in my heart this quilt is called Anna’s Gift. The quilt is a special thank-you to a child who will never know how sweet her gift has been, or how many lives she has touched merely by being a child and happy in the world.

I enjoyed making these gentle curves with the walking foot; see the cool pattern that emerged?

This is my first Drunkard’s Path, the blocks cut on an Accuquilt Studio at a local quilt shop and assembly begun in one of their classes.  Machine pieced, machine quilted with the walking foot. I generally give my quilts away upon completion; when I selected these fabrics I knew it would be a very Happy quilt, but I had no specific recipient in mind. Then I met Anna and realized that she was the perfect fit for its bright colors and happy feel. I hope it gives her a fraction of the warmth she has given to someone dear to me.

Enjoy the Festival; there are loads more quilts and stories to discover!