When words come to life...

It's true what I said.  When the drawing was held for the online fundraiser, I prayed whoever received the beautiful quilt, would cherish it, as much as it deserved.  I wanted all of the pillows and baskets to be treasured.  But I didn't recognize the initials of the person who won the quilt.  So I asked Peggy.  She said she'd tell me, soon.  I just had to wait a bit.

You see where this is going, right?

It seems that the winner of the quilt, requested the quilt be given to someone else.  Still, when a big box arrived, I couldn't fathom what it contained. I was rushing through the house, back and forth, to the hospital, focused on making sure my mom wasn't alone for long.  I'd have to wait till later to open it. 

Later, my mom's sister came and gave me a reprieve and sat with my mom.  I scurried to get Nolan to his hockey game, then Nolan and I returned home.  There sat that box.  

Nolan helped me carefully cut through the tape on the box.  Oh. My.

Nolan just grinned, knowing, the tears that were falling, were sheer surprise and joy.  

It was me- the person who was the recipient of the quilt from the winner- was me!  

It's more beautiful, soft, and comforting, more than I can express.  

Growing up, I had a bedspread, made out of the same kind of fabrics so artfully worked into this quilt.  I'm filled with comfort every time I lay eyes on it.

I told Peggy I felt like Christmas came early!  

This morning, I got to read about the experience of Julie Garmon, who won one of the baskets- you can read her beautifully written words here: Life-changing love.

I was also gifted this book, that came with coffee and conversation with my friend, Roxane.  I'm excited to have something to look forward to reading, when things settle a bit.  I am smitten with the title right away- "The Grace of Yes."

A part of this one is a secret.  But, the part I'm sharing?  Is the part I get to fill in.  I think its a wonderful keepsake type of gift and I am craving to get started on it.  Thank you, Krystal! 

When my mother moved from observation to inpatient, this was the view out the window from the family room.  She got a really old room, with an old telephone with a cord.  It felt so familiar to me, I wonder if it was once the pediatric floor when I had my appendix out?  Even though it was a double, they moved out the other bed, and mom got the room all  to herself.  We were quite cozy in it.

As mom slept, I'd walk the halls, that are somewhat muted and dark at times, but loved when the sun shone brightly through the big old windows, casting light through the dark when it was needed the most.

I thought of these words from "Love Does."

“Grace works that way. It's a kind word from a gentle person with an impossible prayer. It's a force sometimes transmitted best hand to hand in a dark place.”   Bob Goff

Tuesday, Mom was discharged from the hospital.  Her doctors cautioned that with her spontaneous bacterial infection in the ascites throughout her stomach, that she could become infected at any time in the future again, and it could become difficult to treat.  

I appreciated his candor, he was optimistic, but also realistic.  

It was heartwarming to see the big send off she was given.  Lots of hugs, and lots of people expressing how much they would miss her "humor" and ability to laugh at things.  

Mom received lots of medicines, iv's, doctor's orders, stomach examinations and procedures.

But I think it was the compassion underneath it all that boosted her the most.

In turn, she was a magnet, with groups of aids and nurses stopping by in a steady stream of jokes, laughs, and conversations.

We all just want to feel like we matter.  As much as mom received good care, she gave good care right back.