The Keeping Quilt

A few weeks ago Mommy had the chance to do something pretty special.  Mommy got the chance to meet children's book author Patricia Polacco.  Mommy has read many of her well-known stories to the children in my classes over the years.  One of my favorites has always been Thunder Cake.  One book that is another favorite for me and many others is called The Keeping Quilt.  

The story illustrates how a little girl's grandmother worked to keep the memories of family close by cutting pieces of fabric from the clothing of relatives left behind in Russia.  The quilt, with it's bright colors, was passed along from mother to daughter for almost a century.  It was used as a tablecloth for family meals, a wedding canopy, and a blanket for new babies.  

During her visit Mommy was able to listen to her tell stories.  I heard her tell the stories of her life as a child and of how that special quilt was used in her family.   She told the best stories.  Ones like your Poppy and Grandma Judy.  Listening to her made me think of you and your special quilt. 

Scraps of cotton from summer dresses and colorful bibs, pieces of soft minky fabric from the scraps of snuggly blankets your Donna Ma made.  Your Aunt Alex took these and created for Mommy and Daddy a keeping quilt of our own.  It turned out beautiful and it is easy to see it was made with a great deal of love. It was less than a year after you passed away.  

Just like in the book The Keeping Quilt, each piece tells a little story, in each piece there is a memory. We have used your quilt as a picnic blanket, a play mat, and a decoration in your sister's room.  Mommy has to be honest, I've been a little protective of it over the years.  Mommy wants it to last a really long time.  One day, when Jack and Layne are old enough to have babies of their own, Mommy hopes to pass it on as a way of keeping you close to them.

We will make a quilt to help us always remember home,” Anna’s mother said. “It will be like having the family in backhome Russia dance around us at night.”  

~From Patricia Polacco's The Keeping Quilt

Love you, miss you, and think of you always Baby Girl.

P.S. Jack & Layne are both asleep right now...tomorrow Mommy will try to snap a picture of them with your keeping quilt.  xoxo