Jean
Phifer
OWP
Paper
3
The following is a letter to
my daughter, Tana, documenting the story of the quilt I made her for high
school graduation in 1998. It will be made into a book along with a picture of
the quilt and individual pictures of twenty blocks with their stories. The last
page of the book will be a picture of the quilt label on the back of her quilt.
Dear Tana,
As I write this it is three years after your high school
graduation and I am finally putting into writing, the story of the quilt I made
for you.
You knew I was going to make a quilt for your 1998 high
school graduation and that green would be a main color, as that was your
favorite, but that is all I told you. I started the planning process for your
quilt about two years before your graduation. This shouldn't surprise you, as
you know I like to be organized and have time to enjoy what I am working on. I
hadn't found the pattern I wanted to use but I did know that I wanted it to be
some kind of star pattern. You have always been such a bright spot in our lives
and a sparkle always seems to radiate from your eyes and smile. I also knew that I wanted to use fabrics
that would depict many aspects of your life. So even before I knew what pattern
I would be making I started my collection of fabrics. Going into fabric shops
is like going into a candy store. There are so many tempting choices. The
thrill of finding those special fabrics, that seemed to have been made just for
you, gave me so much pleasure and satisfaction.
When I saw the pattern for this quilt I knew right away
that with a few slight changes it was perfect. The sixteen stars around the
large star in the middle would be where I would use the fabrics I had been
collecting for so long. The four stars in the corners would be for each member
of our family. When I found the fabric decorated with the small stars to use
for the borders, I knew the quilt was meant to be. Now the difficult task of
keeping the quilt hidden from you as I worked was upon me.
Quilts aren't perfect and neither are parents. As you look
at the quilt you may see places where seams or points don't quite match. Just
count these as the mistakes I made as a parent. I did my best and learned as
much from you as you hopefully learned from me. We've had our share of
arguments and shed some tears together. The past twenty years has been an
amazing experience that I could never have dreamed of the day you were born. I
know Dad and I helped you become the person you are, but it was God who blessed
us with a daughter like you. Thank you for the joy you have given us.
These stars
are you and your memories.
Love,
Mom
Quilt
blocks - in parenthesis is a description of the fabric used in each
block.
(little girl with a crown
and holding roses)
How proud Dad and I were
when you were elected homecoming princess your sophomore year and prom princess
your senior year. You were always our princess, but how special that your peers
chose to make you theirs too.
(dresses)
Even as a young girl you
loved clothes. We've had so much fun over the years shopping for bargains. Will
we ever have closets big enough for everything?
(schoolhouse)
What a great student you
are! Of course there were some classes you liked better than others, but your
love of learning was always evident. Thank you for being so responsible, even
though I asked you a million times, "Do you have any homework?" Your 3.88
G.P.A. speaks for itself.
(dachshunds)
Weiner dogs, you have had
one around just about all your life. You were six when we got Ginger. You
cuddled and played with her for eleven years. Then came Rosie who joined our
family in the spring of your senior year.
(shoes)
Shoes, shoes, and more
shoes!
How many pairs do you have? "But I have to have these as they are
perfect for this outfit!" Who has more,
you or me?
(messy room)
The only thing I don't
remember finding on the floor of your room was food, but everything else
somehow found its way out of the closet and dresser drawers, from "My Little
Ponies" to "Barbies" to school books to clothes. You always said your room was
too small. I only know if you had a bigger room there would just be a bigger
mess. Every so often you would clean it up without being told to. What a nice
surprise!
(buffalo)
You became intrigued with
this massive animal on our road trip through Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, South
Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Washington the summer of your twelfth year.
I pointed out a small herd in a distant field as we were traveling, only to
find when we got closer that they were round hay bales. You and Tony laughed so
hard. To this day when we see hay bales in a field you say, "Hey, Mom, there
are some buffalo!" We all laugh again.
(actresses and stars)
We should have known after
you starred in "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" in kindergarten that you would continue
to entertain people. Drama is one of your passions.
(cat)
Norma, was the little kitten
that found us the summer of your freshman year. Our walk down Maple Drive
brought her out of the bushes. Apparent that she belonged to no one you asked
if we could keep her. What could we say? She's the sweetest cat we've ever had,
perhaps because she picked us.
(friends)
We are very proud of your
wide circle of friends. You love being around people. You are fortunate to have
the special gift of relating to people in a respectful and caring way.
(tennis)
A sport you started in high
school and one you will be able to enjoy throughout life.
(soccer)
You were one of two freshmen
who went out for the soccer team that first year of high school. You had never
played before and ended up playing all four years. This enthusiasm was always
apparent as you tried just about every sport during your school years.
(sheep)
From bottle feeding the
bummer lambs, watching the ewes give birth, and to showing your sheep at the
4-H Fair, you were lucky to live on a small farm where these opportunities were
available.
(crosses & churches)
God has truly blessed our
lives. We are grateful that He is a part of your life and hope that He always
will be. Remember that He is the one who is in control of our lives.
(red car)
Remember how we looked for
that just "right" first car, your 1985
red Camaro. Thank you for being such a responsible driver.
(tiger)
The tigers of Junction City
provided you with many memories that I know you will always cherish.
(birds-Dad)
Birds, birdhouses, and
birdseed will always remind you of your Dad. You could not have been given a
better one. Thank you for the love and patience you have shown him.
(sewing machine-Mom)
Sewing is my passion and
therapy for me. I receive so much joy
every time a special object is created and given to the ones I love. I remember
all the dresses with ruffles and lace that I made for you over the years. How
honored I felt when you wanted me to make your first prom dress. I still think
there is teal blue fuzz from the velvet on the floor.
(dog & ducks-Tony)
Tony, with his love for the
outdoors, has always been there to watch out for you. Your big brother has this
sly way of hiding his caring feelings. He is the brother who talks when he has
something to say.
(Mickey Mouse-Tana)
Your love of Disney reflects
your cheerful disposition. May your life be full of happiness and dreams come
true.