Friday, March 5, 2010

While She Was Sleeping

On my way out the door to meet Sara on Thursday, I was stopped by the site of a rather large parcel sticking out of my mailbox. It was addressed to me and had traveled quite a long way to find me--more than 11,000 miles (or 18,000 kilometers). While the sender of this package likely slept on the other side of the International Date Line, I opened her gift. I knew she was sending me something--after all, she had asked for my address. But what I thought she was sending and what she actually sent...well let's just say I never imagined opening up a package the likes of this.

Inside, was the most beautiful and unexpected treasure. Though it looks like a quilt, let me tell you, it feels like a hug. As I write this, I'm sitting here with a cup of tea in my hand and a work of art covering my lap. While there is still some winter chill here in Detroit, there's none in my heart, which is full to overflowing.


Ruth, who doesn't blog, is a fellow nurse in Perth, Australia, and has been reading and commenting here for a long time. We first became acquainted on a nurse's group on Ravelry and through emails. She belongs to another group on Ravelry of knitters who also quilt. She made this gift as part of a quilt-a-long with the intent to give it to someone whose life was indicating they needed something to cheer them. Several of the pieces of fabric she used have great meaning to her from previous quilts she's made for loved ones.


Included in the package were some Australian souvenirs including an apron, an oven mitt in the shape of my state of Michigan (like all oven mitts seem to be, but this one has famous places in Australia printed on it!), a koala key chain, cell phone charms and a package of chocolate biscuits called Tim Tams. I'm going to be breaking into that package of treats a little later.

Ruth, if your intent was to give comfort, you've succeeded. I'm so very thankful for your thoughtfulness and warm spirit.

Today, I feel particularly blessed to have such a friend as you.


24 comments:

Michaela said...

OMG, that quilt is SOOOO beautiful! What a wonderful friend. One day I will make a quilt for a friend and make their day just like she has made yours Rudee. xx M.

Stephanie V said...

What a beautiful gift...your words say it all. Enjoy your warm hug.

Jane said...

You deserve a hug, enjoy it, it's beautiful

Lisa L said...

i don't know what to say. how awesome is the love? so proud of my fellow aussie to do this, and so proud of you to have reached out to her. connections...they are so wonderful. how i love the blogosphere. it has truly been my lifesaver..... living in rural hawaii, yet being able to reach people from all over the world. rudee..you're awesome. my mum tried again, and again, and again to teach me how to knit! all in vain.. i just couldn't get it. oh how i wish i had the talent!

Jeannette StG said...

Wow, what a thoughtful friend you have:) Enjoy and savor her hug!

Michelle said...

I'm so happy to say that Ruth is one of my friends, has made my baby a quilt and is a totally wonderful person. I also have to say I saw this quilt before it was sent....lovely.

Michelle

Rose said...

How very lovely and thoughtful. And kind and generous. Wow, such a nice gift but I agree with her that you deserve it!! Hope you have a nice weekend and can sit some, after your knitting class tomorrow!

SkippyMom said...

What a lovely gift and such a kind, thoughtful woman. Ruth you are a treasure.

And Rudy - once you have a Tim Tam? You will be bribing people from AUS to send you more. They are that good.

Enjoy the love. :D

Gail said...

Wonderful! She sent just what the doctor ordered.

Beautiful work, I have always loved samplers.

Enjoy the warmth, not only of the body but also of the soul.

Anonymous said...

That is absolutely gorgeous. And she chose well when she chose the recipient.

Unknown said...

Lovely, and the thought behind it even lovelier. Can you wear it like a cape when you meet your a** of a mortgage lender??

Celia said...

Gorgeous!

Ruth said...

Thank you all for the comments - I am so thrilled that a small quilt has brought so much joy. I am so glad it feels like a hug becaus that what it is meant to.

Rositta said...

Now that's what I call paying it forward. What a beautiful thing to do. I once received a package from a young blogger in New Jersey full of lovely things at a particularly bad time in my life. A year later on what was to be her last post, she wrote that her mom was diagnosed with brain cancer. She has not answered email or blogged since that day and because of a computer crash lost her address. It makes me sad that I couldn't do something for her during what I'm certain was a difficult time. Enjoy your treats, you deserve them. The quilt is spectacular...ciao

sandy said...

Oh wow, that is great!! Fantastic quilt and I'm jealous! ohhhhh.

Brenda said...

Ruth sounds like a wonderful friend Rudee. It is beautiful and I know you will cherish it and her. Maybe it will plant a seed for the "quilting bug" someday. Hint Hint...

knitconvict said...

Well I am very lucky as Ruth is my Mum and I see her all the time :). Glad you felt loved and cheered by the quilt hug Rudee. Vicki.

Anonymous said...

Oh Rudee what a lucky girl you are. That is beautiful. How wonderful of you all to hook up with.
QMM

laurie said...

i can think of no one who deserves that more. excellent ruth! excellent rudee!

Anonymous said...

That is totally gorgeous. You have some amazing friends.

CJ xx

Quiltluver said...

That's awesome!!

Anonymous said...

You are blessed, to have such a special friend. That quilt is so beautiful and made with love. You deserve something that beautiful, and your friend sees what we all see in you. Ruth, you are very special to send something like this to Rudee. Rudee, you work so hard, helping other people, giving us your friendship here, taking care of your family and just being such an overall good person. This post made my day.

Enjoy the beauty of the quilt, and do consider it as a huge hug, every time your have it around you. A hug from one special woman to another.
XXXXXXX

Miss T said...

Wow! What a lovely gift. Amazing.

Jane said...

Beautiful, thoughtful gift for a beautiful thoughtful person.