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Losing a Grandchild
Loss of a young child is devastating. After the grieving grandparents of Alexie June learned of her accidental death, it changed their lives and left a big hole in their hearts. Alexie June’s grandmother Junette contacted me for a memory quilt, explaining that she just had a few items of her clothing and hoped it would be enough.
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Help with the Quilt
She and her husband drew a picture of what they wanted on the quilt, a beautiful rendition of Alexie June skipping along with balloons in her hand and butterflies floating around her.
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They even selected her outfit, including little socks they wanted her to wear.
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The Theme of the Quilt – Her Happy Independent Spirit
Alexie June had been such a happy child and they wanted the quilt to celebrate her love of life. They told me she was precocious and spirited and very independent for a little two-year-old. Having two older siblings probably helped her be that way.
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Using Her Clothes
After making the centerpiece of Alexie June in her little selected outfit (cut down considerably to fit the smaller image) I took my cue from the adorable clothes left and made imaginary scenes, using her clothes.
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I imagined what sort of little girl Alexie June had been from the descriptions Junette gave me, such as her independent spirit, which unfortunately played a role in ending her life.
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Imagination Plays a Part in Every Quilt
I also imagined her sitting on a cloud in the hereafter.
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Righting an Oversight
But I did overlook one activity which Junette had mentioned – how she loved to ‘play the piano’ with her papa. So after she received the quilt, Junette asked me to make a small wall hanging for William, showing Alexie June sitting with him at the piano. In the wall hanging, I used a part of Alexie June’s little sock to portray the piano keys.
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Grandparents Response
After receiving their quilt, Junette wrote:
“William and I just received and opened the box containing Alexie’s Quilt. It is beautiful!!!! We love it so much. We both cried when we first saw it ????. I love how you portrayed her and used the clothing in each block. And I especially love the center! Everything is perfect!!! Thank you so much.”
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