So Very Much More Than Fabric ....

Saturday I made another blanket delivery to 4E and although I say I,there would have been absolutely no possible way for that delivery to happen if not for the selfless giving of so many others.The generous giving of peoples time,talent and treasure made this 3rd delivery of The Heart Blanket Project a reality.Boxes of blankets arrived on my porch from friends,family and even strangers.Money was donated anonymously to purchase fabric.Local friends and even those on their vacations,took time out of their lives to pitch in.Blogging friends,caring for their very own families and caring most especially for their very own fragile children,helped me get this done.So to all of you,that continue to astound me,support me and keep me humble,I thank you from the very depths of my very,very grateful heart.

When we began The Heart Blanket Project,that project was born primarily out of the desire to bring color,warmth and a piece of home to the often sterile environment families and children find themselves thrown into.It was that simple.On Tuesday March 30th,all that changed.Mid morning that day I received a text message from our sweet friend Christopher's mom.I asked her the other day if I might share with you what she wrote.I think Marisa,Christopher's mom,is exceptionally brave and I stand in awe that during her grief, that she would allow me to repeat such a personal,intimate and profoundly heartbreaking part of their story,Christopher's story,with you.That morning,she wanted me to know, that Christopher died wrapped in the blanket that I made for him and that blanket would remain always, a most precious,precious gift to her.I had no words then,nor do I now.However,what I do know,is that I will do all I can to make sure this project keeps going.For although we know that each blanket is cut and tied and presented with great love and abundant prayer,we now know that these blankets are far more than the fabric they are made from.I will never again shop for fabric or make another blanket without pausing and thinking of our beloved Chris.I will never again hand another blanket to one of these warrior children without realizing that I may never know what that blanket will come to mean to them or their families.

Another gift left behind by one of our friends,gone too soon.I will never,ever be able to reconcile that but I will strive to move forward and honor them in whatever way I can and I thank you for helping me along the way.