AND FINALLY

Patching up families with hopeful love

AS REGULAR readers know, this column often champions older people. Some of my saddest letters have come from grandparents missing their estranged grandchildren — and now I have been moved by the special story of ‘The Quilt of Love and Hope’.

During the first lockdown many grandparents were bemoaning the fact they couldn’t see or cuddle their grandchildren. But for some it is even worse, because they are permanently estranged through family turmoil.

One such grandmother heard about the story of a quilt created in Canada to highlight awareness of fractured families.

The plan took off from there, after a call was put out by Lorraine Bushell, of the Hendon Grandparents’ Support Group, asking grandparents to contribute a patchwork square for a quilt which, once finished, would proclaim enduring love for the grandchildren they never see.

Over the following year a steady trickle of patchwork squares arrived.

The only instructions were the measurements and that the design should reflect the grandparents’ feelings about their family estrangement. I’ve seen touching pictures of individual squares embroidered with ‘A grandson is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart’, ‘Forget Me Not’ and ‘Longing to Hug You’ — and other messages.

People responded from all parts of the country — all grandparents who welcomed the chance to express their care and love, fortitude and hope. The quilt is something tangible that binds their feelings.

It has been displayed all over the country, starting in Salisbury, then Durham, Wales, Cambridge, and churches in South London. From today until August 6 it will be in the beautiful Coventry Cathedral.

Do go along and have a look if you can spare the time — and maybe say a little prayer for those who dreamt of becoming loving grandparents, only to find that family problems have taken away the chance — but not their love and hope.

Bel answers readers’ questions on emotional and relationship problems each week. Write to Bel Mooney, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, london W8 5TT, or email bel.mooney@dailymail.co.uk. Names are changed to protect identities. Bel reads all letters but regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence.