February 14, 2013

Made with love...




"A Broken Heart"
made with love...by my Mom


Happy Valentines Day my "Dear Hearts" (expression courtesy of Mrs. Helwig, my "Dear Heart" of a high school English teacher).  The holiday of hearts, Cupid, waxy chocolate in heart-shaped boxes, sappy Hallmark cards.  Quite honestly, never one of my favorite holidays.  Too commercial.  Except if I can finagle a nice restaurant dinner out of it, then I'm all in. But for the most part, I just think it's better to try to show love all 365 days a year.  That's a hard walk to walk.  Not many do. But my mom has the gait down perfectly.  And so do all her fellow quilters who are part of "The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative" (check it out).

Since it is the holiday of hearts and love,  it's only fitting I share with you a cause that is close to my heart, because it effected someone I love.  Alzheimer's research.  The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative is a national grassroots charity whose mission is to raise awareness and fund research of Alzheimer's thru art.  Each month they hold an online auction of donated quilts pertaining to Alzheimer's in some capacity. Donated from all over the county. Quilts small enough to fit inside priority mailer-sized envelopes.  

When Mom told me she was getting involved in this charity, and was dragging her sewing group buddies along with  her, I immediately went to the online sight to see what mom got herself involved in.  The quilts, the quilts, the quilts.  The titles and sentiments they displayed told so many stories of love.  And I immediately found one in particular that tugged at MY heart strings.  #9965.  "A Broken Heart".  Without even knowing it when I hit the button to put it into my online shopping cart...I discovered it was my Dear Heart of a mom's quilt.  AKA #9965.  The heart works in mysterious ways.

5.4 million Americans are effected by Alzheimer's.  5.4 million minds who can't express what the heart feels.  And isn't that what art does so well.  No words needed. Making a difference, one quilt at a time.  365 days a year.  Just love.

Happy Valentines Day...

--Kathy


39 comments:

  1. That just sent chills through me. Hugs and Love to you ... and to your mom {does she read?...pass it on!) today!

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  2. ....and by read, I mean read your blog, not read at all - hope that was obvious!!

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    1. You are too funny! Last time I checked, she does BOTH :)

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  3. Good for your Mom...this brought tears to my eyes....I know!! Happy Valentine's Day, Kathy. May it be a sweet one.

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  4. So sweet. This was really heartwarming.


    Happy heart day.

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  5. This is so wonderful Kathy, and not only does it raise money for an important cause, but I think it gives people a sense of making a difference and I love that they can fit in a mailer size priority envelope!! Love to you! xo

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  6. As soon as I read the part when you realized it was your Mom's quilt my heart swelled.
    A beautiful story!
    Kudos to your Mom and her friends.

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  7. I think your sense of hearts is much nicer than the day (too commercialized is right) itself. I know you think of your Dad with this and it is close to your heart. I think a very worthy endeavor.

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  8. Thanks for the info, Kathy. I just bought a quilt. Tomorrow is the anniversary of my father's passing of complications from Alzheimer disease in 1994.

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  9. Oh so sweet, Kathy! This is just lovely. So glad you got your Mom's quilt!

    We are planning a quiet evening at home. Nothing commercial. Just a fire place, glass of red, and maybe some TV.

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  10. Hi Kathy, it's such an important cause - I love the book "Still Alice", where one can get little insight in how it might feel like getting Alzheimer's, also from the family's perspective. My eyes dwell on the pictures of the nature... The one with the up-down hill -biking makes me long for summer ... Wishing you a good Valentines, Nina

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  11. Beautiful post ~ and synchronicity and love are so wonderful! Glad you got your Mom's quilt ~ Happy Valentine's Day

    (A Creative Harbor)

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  12. Yes, I read your blog and appreciate all the nice comments. Happy Valentine's Day Kathy -- love you. Mom

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  13. What a great project to be a part of. We are so glad you like coming to visit us over at Communal Global. Thank you! From one Philly girl to another. Happy Valentines Day! Love, Becky

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  14. Ah Kathy, that is such a sweet Valentine's Day post. I love it. Isn't that the point of Valentine's Day? To share great love? It doesn't have to be romantic love. When I was young my Mom taught me it was for anyone you loved; parent's, grandparent's, siblings, friends or a special love. I love how you chose your Mom's quilt without knowing it. A special draw that you can't deny. Alzheimer's is a sad disease. My brother's father in law (his wife's Dad), my cool Aunt Lorraine and a dear neighbor LaRae have all contracted it and are gone now but lived the last 5-6 years in a fog. My Mom dreaded getting that disease and blessedly she didn't get it. She was sharp as a tack unto the day before she died. I love her for the love she taught me. Excellent Valentine's Day post, Kathy, excellent!!! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

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  15. Love your post. And we love our Barbie-sized quilts! FYI - I read Still Alice about 2 years ago...interesting read with some interesting ideas. Happy Valentines Day, Sis.

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  16. Amazing how out of all the quilts, you chose your Mother's without even knowing it was hers...LOVE ties heartstrings together in the most simple ways. Wonderful post!

    -Marissa
    Visiting from the Valentine's Day Blog Party

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  17. beautiful quilt and i loved this post! your photography is gorgeous! visiting from the valentine hop so happy valentine's day :)

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  18. Such a lovely post! I am visiting from the BMB party!

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  19. that, my dear, is kismet! i'll go check it out now...sounds like a wonderful charity.

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  20. How serendipitous to get your own mom's quilt, and what a wonderful cause. know it is one dear to your heart. What a lovely quilt and will check out the site. Visiting you from the blog hop and already am your follower! Have a lovely dinner out on valentines... because I know you could easily finagle that! Don't forget james dean

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  21. How beautiful! I am a huge quilt person. I will have to go and check it out!

    Happy Valentine's Day! (I'm with you on your thoughts for this day. Normally we go out, but for the last couple of Valentine's we wait until the week-end and then go and celebrate it in a restaurant that isn't so mobbed. I mean seriously, who wants to go and do that tonight?)

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  22. Alzheimer's affects so many people, and so many more live in fear of it. There are new research results that are looking hopeful, at least with mice, so I have my fingers crossed. My MIL was affected, and lived with us for ten heart-breaking years. I think it is so great that you picked your mom's quilt! A lot of crazy quilters make pieces for this yearly auction.

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  23. Thank you for sharing this, Kathy. I lost my mom to Alzheimer's a year ago last November...actually it was more like ten years ago due to early onset. My mom loved art and what a beautiful thing this group is doing!

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  24. That's very special, thanks for sharing the info and your story...H♥ppy V♥lentines D♥y♫♪ Here's my CC effort: http://lore-eleven.blogspot.com/2013/02/winsome-weeds.html

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  25. You have posted probably the most meaningful Valentine's Day post of anyone. Alzheimer's is a horrible disease. I have witnessed its silent destruction of brilliant people and ultimate consumption of their soul. I love that your mom felt strongly enough to join in and that it in turn fostered your involvement. Lovely quilt piece. Lovely post.

    Happy (belated) Valentine's Day, Dear Heart.

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  26. My mom is a quilter also and made a square for the AIDS quilt. I'm all in for Valentine's Day for the dinner also!!! Thanks so much for sharing with Cool Clicks. I so love your introspective and honest writing in your posts and also the uniqueness of your photography style...I don't comment much but I just wanted to let you know I love what you have to share.

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  27. That is a wonderful cause! My grandpa had Alzheimers, and so I can understand the need for this all too well.

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  28. Loved this post. I have quilts that my mother and grandmother did together and they are so special. I think it's wonderful that your mom was involved in such a worthwhile project.
    Your photography is beautiful and unique and you have great taste in shoes. LOL
    New follower from BMB~ Have a great weekend!

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  29. Ahhhh.. Such a heartfelt post.

    Hugs

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  30. What a lovely post. You are so lucky to have her and appreciate her. If you feel like checking out my snow photos they are
    here

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  31. wow, Kathy, that's so neat. I know it speaks to your heart -- your broken heart. Hoping you're doing well, my friend.

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  32. absolutely lovely, kathy. amazing that you chose your mother's? my mom quilts, too. i've avoided it b/c i love the fabric and the fabric stores. i can see it now... piles of unfinished fabric. maybe in another season. :) i'm going to nose around your blog a bit again, then go check out your link. and pass it on to my mom, too...she'll love it for sure.

    belated happy valentines. :) and thanks for linking at 1440 again! :))

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  33. its beautiful, and it was certain,y meant for you. A lovely post and a wonderful cause. Sorry I'm late getting here...thank you for adding your wonderful blog to the Thursday Favorite Things hop. xo

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  34. Thank you so much for sharing
    this photo & these words!

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