Quilts for Youth by Youth

From the Open Files of: NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center (715) 833-1153 Contributed by: Velma Larson, Clayton, WI

Dear friend of children: Think of a teen-age paraplegic former athlete, an adolescent boy with muscular dystrophy, a toddler roaming city streets, a teenage amputee with a stillborn baby, an orphaned preschooler; now, ask yourself what these children -- who have never met -- have in common. The answer? Each one received a special quilt as they struggle to survive this "bump in the road of life". In 1995, teens planning a retreat for Lutheran high school youth chose "Have Compassion" for their theme. Planned activities were motivated by compassion. Participants painted squares of fabric to be made into quilts for young people who were experiencing some sort of difficulty. Two Gatherings each year include this workshop, and more than 400 quilts have now been completed and donated. Each time, the young people hear stories about recent quilt recipients. At the beginning of each workshop, the rules are defined: leave 1/2" of fabric around each edge, so that the seamstresses can assemble the blocks into quilts; and any design is acceptable as long as it's something the artist would be willing to let their Grandma see. Artistic skill is not necessary; willingness is the only prerequisite. Sometimes artists have a clear picture in their heads of the way the block "ought" to look, and they get frustrated and discouraged when the paint smears or their hands don't produce the exact replica seen in their minds. Then they hear words of encouragement and support: "the kid who gets this quilt won't see the smudged paint. They will only see that lots of people took time to provide something special for them." Just as God does not throw them away when they make mistakes, so these blocks don't get thrown away. Though the picture may be different than originally planned, it is still a valid picture. And so it is with their lives: though they may be different than planned, they are still acceptable to God. If the picture is smudged beyond recognition, the blocks are turned into abstract designs. Sometimes the fabric is crumpled into a ball, then smoothed out. A contrasting color of paint then can be used to write a message, such as "out of chaos, God..." over the smudged area. And miracles happen. Each year, adult chaperones are stunned to observe a perfectionist teen admit to producing something less than perfect. The adult shakes their head in amazement as the teen explains God's redemption and the discovery that "less than perfect" can still be "okay". Sometimes a teen who has obviously spent a great deal of time on their personal appearance will ask about the kids who get these quilts. So they'll hear about the 11-year-old with incurable cancer, or the 4-year-old who needs a liver transplant, or the 13-year-old girl who was sexually abused and is now in a foster home, or the tornado (or flood) victims who lost everything they owned. Often the artist responds very quietly, "I guess my life isn't so bad after all." Recently a mom watched her daughter, who had been given a quilt to encourage her in her fight against a particularly nasty form of cancer, as the girl painted. The girl had insisted on taking her quilt with her to all of her chemotherapy sessions, and remained wrapped in the quilt throughout. When school began in the fall, she refused to go to class, because she was concerned that her classmates might laugh at her. However, she insisted on attending the Gathering, held in early November, because she wanted to be sure to paint lots of blocks for quilts for other kids! She thrived in this workshop, hat on hairless head, happily decorating block after block. One spring the Gathering was held in a St. Paul, Minnesota, hotel. One of the maintenance staff was particularly helpful during the setup, and he was full of questions about who did the painting, who qualified to receive a quilt, and how much each quilt cost. He was amazed that the quilts were gifts, that no particular religious affiliation was needed, and that no forms (or documentation of financial need) were involved. He sighed, "I wish I'd known about you people last year!" Then he spoke of his 6-year-old nephew, who was suddenly without his daddy, and who was still having trouble coping with his loss. His quilt was delivered within a few days. Perhaps the most heartbreaking request came from a woman who asked for a quilt for her own son. He was 12 at the time, and suffering from muscular dystrophy. He was so weak that he could not roll over in bed by himself, and he was so big that his mother could no longer take care of his physical needs. His heart was still strong, however, so the doctors told the parents to expect the battle to last "a while yet". Yes, his quilt also arrived promptly. Presently a dozen women help assemble the tops and tie and hem the quilts. Several youth groups, too, help tie and hem. Lutheran Brotherhood donates batts each year, but funding from Aid Association to Lutherans through their "Youth Serve" program has been discontinued; now new funding must be found. All donations purchase materials. Twin-size quilts cost $45 (batting and fabric to complete the lattice strips and backs); afghan-size quilts can be completed for $25. All time is donated. Contact your Synod office for information on how you can help make a project like this happen in your synod. The decision is yours. How many "bumps in the road of life" can you help smooth? Thank you for your generous contribution! Velma Larson, project coordinator Letter sent with each Quilt: Begin the Quilt picture tour here  Are you from the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin? Here's how you can help with funding! NW Synod Quilts

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