Wrapped in loving comfort
“For as long as I can remember, my grandmother made patchwork quilts for members of our family, patients at hospitals and for people in need at shelters. She would cut squares from old clothes and spend hours handstitching each one despite arthritis and cramping in her hands. I often told her she didn’t have to go to so much trouble and that we had blankets in the linen closet. ‘Blankets bring warmth, but quilts bring comfort,’ she’d answer, smiling as she continued to stitch.
“Last fall, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to begin chemotherapy treatment. My heart hammered in terror as I sat down for the first infusion. Will it make me sick?
What if I have a bad reaction? my thoughts raced. Noticing my trembling, the nurse asked if I’d like a blanket. When I nodded, she came back with a patchwork quilt, explaining that it was one of many donated by a local woman before she died. As soon as she placed it over me, I recognized it as one of my grandmother’s and instantly felt her love all around me. Suddenly Grandma’s words made sense as I felt a peaceful comfort flood my heart.
“When I told the nurse that my grandmother had made the quilt, she smiled and said she’d save that one for me to use during each treatment.
“Happily, I am now in remission, but I still wrap myself up in one of Grandma’s quilts, cherishing the love lesson in every stitch.”