As many of you know, one of my good friends lost her husband just a little over a year ago. He had a TON of Wrangler jeans that she was not sure what to do with, so I offered her the idea of turning them, along with his flannel shirts, into memory quilts. So together we cut the jeans into squares, she and her children each picked out a flannel for the back that reminded them of him, and I sewed it all into 3 quilts. I finished one of them completely and let my friend put the finishing touches on the other two herself. It kind of turned into a family affair as Olivia and Eric stacked the jean squares as I cut them and Eric and I reminisced about the good times we had with our friend and guessed about the different stains and tears on the jeans. It was an honor to be able to do this for such a great family. As I put the quilts together I couldn't help but think about all the times their family had spent together, him wearing those Wranglers, and I wrote a little poem to keep with the quilts:
Behind the Squares
Behind the squares of this ratty ol’ quilt
The first time they met, the relationship they built
The love that they shared, how much he cared
Behind the squares of this ratty ol’ quilt
Behind the squares of this ratty ol’ quilt
The rodeos he rode, the ground that he hit
The ground in dirt and the ground in cow sh*!
Behind the squares of this ratty ol’ quilt
Behind the squares of this ratty ol’ quilt
The miles he drove, the chew that he spit
Behind 18 wheels - that bumpy old seat - her waiting for him, he tired and beat
Behind the squares of this ratty ol’ quilt
Behind the squares of this ratty ol’ quilt
A daddy and daughter - a love that is truly felt
A precious jewel in her daddy’s eyes - to her he’s and amazing hero on the rise
Behind the squares of this ratty ol’ quilt
Behind the squares of this ratty ol’ quilt
A dad and his boy - their Wranglers a perfect fit
He wants to be just like his dad - A father and husband, the best any ever had
Behind the squares of this ratty ol’ quilt
