Handmade from the Heart

When I was young, we lived in a wonderful, rambling Victorian. I loved my bedroom at the top of the stairs, with its hardwood floors, gabled ceiling, and tiny Juliet balcony.

My mother sewed beautifully, but arthritis made it too difficult for her to sew by hand. Knowing my love of all things pink and old-fashioned, for Christmas one year, she secretly arranged for a friend to sew the loveliest quilt that was perfect for me and my bedroom. The coverlet was made of wild rose pink and cornflower blue printed cotton squares and backed with a blush-toned flannel sprinkled with darker rosebuds.

I kept that quilt well into adulthood and was very thankful for its comfort and memories after my mother passed. Sadly, it was lost during a move, but I’ve never forgotten the trouble she went to to give me such a special gift.

GLENDA EMERSON

Penticton, British Columbia

My childhood friend’s mother was the only person I knew