I am posting another baby blanket picture (I've made two of these) because I love the story that goes along with one of them. I did volunteer trail work & spent a lot of time with one of the sawyers (ran a chainsaw) - he cut, I swamped (cleared what he cut so he could keep going). We became friends (he is just THE nicest guy) and while I knew he was married, no one in our volunteer group had met his wife. Finally, at a summer picnic, she turned up and the reason why was because the couple's son had recently died. She was an RN & evidently, the son was born with profound disabilities - she quit nursing & stayed home taking care of him for 20 some years until he finally died. My friend's remaining child, a daughter, was also at that picnic - the whole family was making the attempt to come back out in public after the death of their son/brother.
Anyway, some years later, I was hiking with a friend in the part of the state where this sawyer friend & his wife lived (about 2 hours from where I live). They knew we were in the area and invited us for lunch. While we were there, they pulled out a wedding album - their daughter had gotten married and even more exiting, was expecting in a couple of months. For the first time, the sad, haunted look these friends/parents carried in their eyes was replaced with happiness and excitement, it was wonderful to see.
The thought occurred ... I would give them a special baby prayer blanket & this particular pattern came to mind - it's heirloom quality. So, I got it done, packed it up, included a prayer card & sent it. I never imagined how that blanket would impact them - they were completely surprised and truly loved & appreciated it. They sent me a picture of their new grandson wrapped in the blanket, being held by his mother. I did see this couple in 2017 & was thanked again & told that the baby was baptized in that blanket. This is one of the most rewarding baby blankets I've ever made (some prayer shawls are pretty close).
So here's a picture of the blanket and I'll post the prayer that went with the blanket on the gift card:
Terry Kimbrough pattern: "Exquisite"
Prayer on gift card:
Loving God, bless this child
who was brought into your world.
As the child's mother wraps her baby in this blanket, may she too be enfolded in Your Unconditional embrace.
Protect these two lives that are forever bonded.
Bless this child's father, too .....
He is the provider, the protector and guardian,
As his child grows, may he be given the strength, compassion and tenderness needed to be the best role model he can be.
Surround this family with love and comfort.
Wrap them in Your peace.
Bundle them in security and cradle them in Your hope for the future.
May their days together grow in joy, guided by Your tender, abiding love, blessing this family through all the generations.
Amen