Language is such a limiting entity when it comes to matters of the heart. Thank you is only 8 different letters out of the 26 we use to create all the expressions, thoughts, ideas and understandings we have. How big is love? Who knows...it can't be measured like fabric, but is just as beautiful...or sugar, but is every bit as sweet...or time, but is enduring...or even space, yet it can fill every void.

What is the politically correct response to an outpouring of the eternal and powerful love, sent to you from above, through a group of friends connected by invisible pathways and a love for making beautiful articles to be used in and incorporated into our daily lives?

On Monday a wonderfully large box arrived at my home. I recognized the return address, but since it is Secret Santa time, wasn't sure it was meant to be opened until Christmas. After asking the person who sent the box, I was informed I should open it ASAP. A little nervous and apprehensive, I waited until it was quiet and I was alone...you know...just in case. I also got out a new box of kleenex. I didn't know what I would find in the box, but the love pouring from every pour in the cardboard was tangible.

Pictured here are the contents of the box. The most beautiful and exquisite quilt every made, a large pile of appliques for use in a never ending host of projects, fabric squares and fat quarters, a cute bunny, a cozy, card, letter...it seemed the box had no bottom.

Last April, when Randy died, I thought my world had fallen completely apart. None of us could have predicted it. I was lost. If I hadn't had this wonderful group of quilters to help me along each day, I wouldn't have had the strength to support my children as they moved through their own grief process. Individually and collectively you all kept me going during some really dark and lonely days. You were my Jesus-with-skin-on.

The beauty of this quilt, the fabric, small gifts and cards is beyond words. You have ministered to my heart in ways I can't even understand. I am truly humbled. Thank you...Thank you...Thank you

Oh wow!! Our little mousie did a wonderful job making this quilt. I can see the love that went into it. You are a well deserving recipient of this beautiful quilt. May you have many hugs from it.

So sorry for your loss, and what a great love package you received, i have read so many times on here of love and heartfelt wishes for people, this is such a generous and loving group of people, they really do help us get through our troubled times. Bless you and have a wonderful quilting day. Denise

Enjoy you love package and remember you are not alone.

Thanks for sharing. The quilt is beautiful!

Thank you so much. This is the best group of people I have ever met. Quilters Rule!

I am so proud to have a square in this quilt. Mousie, thank you for everything you did and put into this for Gwyn. You are an angel.
Gwyn, your way of expressing yourself is awesome. I love each syllable in your post. My heart broke another small piece each day as your life progressed to widowhood. I wanted so much to be there for you, clean your house,do your laundry, cook a meal, run an errand. I couldn't but Mousie and Charlee gave me a way to offer you a hug. I so much value what that quilt means and how the quilt came to be.
When it is cold or lonely, wrap yourself up in that quilt and feel all our hugs.
Regards, Dorothy

Gwyn, we all hope this quilt brings you comfort as you continue to heal. Please use it whenever you need a "Group Hug"

No, Gwyn-thank you. Thank you for letting us be part of your life, good and bad. You share your knowledge, wisdom, and warmth with us everyday. You taught us to handle heartache with dignity. Enjoy this little part of each of us and when you have a bad day just reach for "us".

I slept under the quilt last night. It was like having a huge group sleepover with all my best friends. Holding the quilt in my hands is a tangible way of holding my friends in my heart. I really do feel your hugs.

Gwyn, I can't think of anyone that deserves something like this more! You are so sweet and kind to everyone here...and I love that you help children learn to sew and quilt!!
I was thrilled when Mousie suggested it, and happy to forward the suggestion onto others. (That's all I had to do with it, really!)
I'm so glad that you feel the love and hugs!! :)

What a beautiful quilt!!!!!

Wow! What a treasure and comfort for sure. Blessings on you and your friends. I know the feeling of loss. Mine passed nine years ago today. Still missed dreadfully, but so blessed having him for 30 years.

What a beautiful quilt -- Mousie you did Good! :thumbup:

You are a blessing to us Gwyn.

Mousie did an awesome job putting it all together. It turned out so beautiful!

I hope you find many many hours of warmth, comfort and good memories, and hugs from us all.

We love you.

I'd seen snippets of the quilt, but seeing it as a whole is awesome! I hope this does give you the needed comfort in your time of need. Take comfort in knowing that this quilt is just a small part of the love all of us on this wonderful board have for you. {HUGS} and prayers are being sent your way.

Aww, Gwyn, you and Mousie are both Treasures to us here on the Board. And we wanted to let you know that you are not alone. And Mousie, let me tell you, you ROCK!!!!!! You did a great job!!! Hugs to both of you.

Ditto. :thumbup:

Gwyn, I just want to say you made my day this morning just by having such a way with words! It sounds to me you are very deserving of all the lovely and cute items you found in the "love box". That is a precious quilt to whoever made it!
I just hope each and everyone has a blessed Christmas Season.

:XD: :XD: :XD: :XD: What a beautiful thank you that you have written.

Sometimes the only way to give a hug is to send loving wishes in a quilt you can wrap yourself in. **((GWYN))**

Nice work mousie girl! I love it and all the work you have done to make it happen. Thanks so much!

I am so glad that you like it Gwyn,and it is bringing you comfort. Mousie did a beautiful job of putting this quilt together :D:D:D

What a beautifully written post and a special quilt. I don't even know what to say except I think I found a great group of quilters here, I'm thankful for you all.

I am new to this board, but am moved to tears by the love and generosity all of you have shown Gwyn in her time of sadness. May you all be blessed for your act of kindness to a friend. Gwyn, my deepest condolences. I am happy for you that you have such special friends to wrap their arms around you with this quilt.

oh my goodness... I've stumbled upon this posting, and am not a part of this circle created to embrace another in her sadness. But I am so touched and warmed (and a bit verklempt) by this community of loving hearts. Blessings to you All for the thoughtful kindness extended to one another. And, gwyn, your Thank You reads as poetry.

Gwyn Thank you for letting us be there.

I'm fairly new here so wasn't aware of your loss. Thank you for sharing your story. Love here is just here always. This is the best group I have ever belonged to. I am so sorry for your loss.

Gwyn - it was just a small token to let you know how much we care {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}} I was honored to be a part of it -
Mousie- you really outdid yourself - AWESOME job :thumbup:

Beautiful quilt, Gwyn!!!! Great job....and I'm sure it's going to be a big comfort for you. :) {{{HUGS}}}

Gwyn:
Glad you liked the quilt. I was only a small part of it. I asked Mousie if I could machine quilt it for you. I hope you enjoy for many years. Thank you for everything YOU do.

I am soo glad you have your lil group of earthly bound angels, I sure wish I could have been part of thier support group in the healing of your loss. I know how it is Lost my dad in January.the whole is large and the need to close it only comes from the love of family and friends. I am soo glad you now have a group hug any and everytime you need it. I am so gratefull that I have gotten to be a friend to you also. You have filled a spot in my life when I needed it. So some of this love has already been sent back your way too.

We know this world has so many good people in it when we see things like this happen. Kindness is something each and every person can give and it is worth more than a pocket full of money. You are very lucky to have the kindness of al these people. I too know what it is like to have recently lost my hubby. This group has helped me with simple things such as understanding, a kind word, etc. And then there were those who truly acted like angels. Abig hug to you and all the kind people in this group. MaryM

As far as I can tell there were no 'small parts' to this quilt. Without any one piece it wouldn't be what it is. Thank you for taking the time for what ever part you played. They are all important to me.

What a wonderful gift!!!!

What to say? the mouse, speechless, lol!
I was so excited and concerned and honored...goodness, just a whole bundle of different emotions going on, while making the quilt and after it arrived.
I am not a real experienced quilter but I do have a lot of compassion in my heart to share, and I had suffered a loss myself when God gave me a way to reach out and do something about even one other person's pain.
I just prayed, Lord show me what to do with these feelings and let me be a comfort to others if I can. I certainly didn't do any of this alone.
I wish I could mention each and every single person, bc they all did so much. So much for the quilt, for you, Gwyn, and for me.
It is an awesome quilt just bc it is so filled with loving kindness.
A huge coming together of so many wonderful ppl...the outpouring from ppl just at the mention of your name...I didn't even know what I was doing really, except putting one foot in front of the other and asking God to help me.
Well, he sent me so many helpers, and help they did!
They came out of the woodwork and offered any and everything, from posting pm's, sending just gobs and gobs of blocks, cards, support, money to help with expenses and so much more that I can't even think of right now.
If I don't think to mention someone, please know, I thank you in my heart!
I was blessed beyond belief by being a vessel to do this!
I have to name a few ppl by name and I pray that ALL understand the heartfelt appreciation I have towards each and everyone that sent things.
There is no one contribution that is bigger or smaller than any of the others.
It was all done, by each person with so much love!
I wish I sounded as eloquent, Gwyn, in saying through my tears, how proud I am to be one person in this great big group of wonderful quilters, whether their name is on the quilt or not.
So many more would have sent blocks had they known, and had I known who to contact.
I only knew to go to your diary and to the condolence threads, but I know that all of this board is filled with wonderful ppl and we all wish you the very best!
Sewnsewer2 embroiderd the rose in the center, the rosebud borders and the label, and she even did this second one when I couldn't decide on a design and helped me with that too!
She was just ....I have no words. I couldn't have done it without her.
Born2Sew embroidered the angels and offered to do more, bless her heart.
Pvquilter contacted me and offered her lovely quilting skills and I about cried when it came back to me. Wow!
DKAbasketlady sent backing and blocks and wrote me a letter and was there for me all along.
So many sent so much, I can't name them one by one, but I can tell you, each and every name on that quilt...they were just moved and moving,...this truly was a "heartfelt group" project.
I could feel the coming together of all involved.
I will never forget this experience and even my dh is sitting here right now, bc he has been a loving support throughout. His interest and support means so much to me and he cares about this board too, bc it means so much to me.
He wanted to know that the quilt arrived safe and sound and is a comfort just as I do, with all my heart. I really prayed over this quilt while making it, to allow it to be infused with affection and comfort.
I hope it brings that to you and so much more Gwyn, bc you deserve it. You are a "rose" of a lady! love, Mousie

I have no more words...So much love, so much work, so many hands, such large hearts How can 'thank you' be sufficient? Well, it isn't, but it is all I've got. Thank you

So glad we were here for you when the need came.

Blessings on you and your house....remember Footprints.

Janice

I am so sorry about your loss and those words just don't really express the depth of feeling. I don't know you but I do know you are loved, deeply and completely by your friends and family and God above. May you feel that love in a tangible way each time you snuggle under your quilt "hug" and may the good Lord hold you tight in His arms. Many blessings,
Wendy

Its lovely, absolutely lovely!!!

What a fabulous gift from some of the most wonderful people on the planet .

(I am honoured to have made new friendships with but a few of you. )
Humbled and touched by such a thoughtful act .