Usually it takes me months - even years - to make a quilt. I've done a few quick quilts (including one for The Most Adorable Granddaughter#1 who happens to prefer the back of her quilt because it has hundreds of dogs marching across it and since the fabric was chosen with her in mind I'm not offended) but they are the exception rather than the norm.
So what madness made me start cutting out fabrics squares late last night and spend today sitting at the sewing machine despite a sore back?
A friend, that's what.
A friend who has just been diagnosed with MS and who has spent the time since Christmas in hospital.
A friend who can't do any of the simple things that we take for granted.
I decided on a quilt. A comfort quilt. Not an art quilt. Not a special occasion quilt. But an everyday-use-until-it-falls-to-bits-quilt. A quilt that could be used at home, in hospital, in a wheelchair, or wherever her heart desired.
So for nearly 24 hours I've been working on this quilt. The Prayer Quilt.
I've mentioned in an earlier post that she's not a Christian so why am I calling it a prayer quilt? The answer is simple really. As I've made the quilt I've prayed for her and for her to come to know the Lord. I'm also hoping that the quilt will be a tangible reminder to her of the people who care about her and perhaps even help point her to the One who loves her more than she can dream or imagine.
I've made it a scrap quilt and I think that's quite appropriate. Friendship is often made of little fabrics of life. Some are beautiful. Some not so beautiful. But when put all together they form a whole that is strong, offers comfort, and is beautiful to behold.
I hope she sees some of that in the quilt.
(I still have to put it together with the wadding and backing and quilt it but hopefully it won't be too long before it's finished and I can give it to her.)
Comments
Busymomof10, your words touched me (as did everyone's) because you know what it is to see someone you care about ravaged by MS. I've really wanted to help but didn't know what to do. I'm glad that you think the quilt is a suitable gift.
Daisy, I've made very few quilts for friends because they usually take so long to make. I must admit I prefer the 'art' ones over the utility ones, but on this occasion I thought a utility quilt would say more than a small wallhanging. I never thought of it as being love in action. Thanks for your words.
SchnauzerMom, I brought a whole lot of scrap fabrics back from Australia a fortnight ago that my Mum had given me. I hadn't really wanted to bring them back - I already had enough scraps - but am so glad now that I did. I had no idea then that I was going to need - and use - them so soon! But the Lord knew and I just hope that my friend likes the quilt.
My husband has MS, as does one of my best friends and my SIL. I would just like to say that it isn't always all downhill. My husband was unusually young when he got sick. He could not walk, went blind, lost the use of one arm (and he was a musician) and had a host of other problems. Thirteen years later he is up and walking, has regained his sight in one eye, can play guitar again (albeit not as well), and has a fantastic job that he spends WAY too much time at. (He says he wants to work hard while he can because MS is so random and he could go down at any time, but he pushes too hard, IMO.) I am not so naive as to think that it won't get worse again, and he still has lots of fatigue and sensory symptoms, but--it isn't always all downhill. Sometimes it is, but sometimes it isn't. It just depends. The thing that is so scary about MS--it's total unpredictability--is also a weird source of hope. As, I guess, in all of life.
My good friend also has been up and down since her diagnosis--she has had some really bad points, but right now is relatively "well." (My SIL is also doing "well," but her MS has never been very severe.) So your friend might not always be as sick as she is right now.
I ran this comment by my husband and he said to add two things: first, that here are some really good medicines these days--my husband and my friend both take Rebif shots three times a week and that seems to help. He recommends getting one one if she is not already--he put it off for years and regrets that. Second, MS is not usually life threatening--only in one half of one percent. Believe me, that still seems high when it's someone you love, but her odds are quite good in that regard.
In any case, she is very lucky to have you for a friend. (This is a really long post, so you don't have to display it--I just wanted to write you.)
I know that with treatment my friend may get better and lead a productive life. It has certainly been a shock to see her go downhill so dramatically but I've heard that the drugs and treatment can make a huge difference and I'm praying for that.
I had assumed that the percentage of those for whom it is life threatening would be much higher. I'm glad that it's not. But as you say, for those that lose a loved one to MS (and yes I do know of some) it is devastating.
I hope and pray that my friend does improve, that she can care for her family (she has three young children), finish her studies, do all that she hopes to do, but most of all, that she comes to know the Lord. And I hope my quilt speaks to her of how much she is loved (especially on those days when she's struggling with her illness).
Blessings, Jules
I've been hearing lately that there has been a rise in the diagnosis of MS cases. I hope your friend is doing okay.
In the report I was listening to they were saying even small things, like fake sugars, can make these cases worse, but most people don't even realize it. :?
Praying for you and your friend,
Emily