Thanksgiving Quilt of Many Memories. For so many years, I encouraged, implored, and shamed Joe about wearing and saving his ratty t-shirts. He assured me each and every one was an important part of “Cole’s inheritance.” Turns out, he was right. Thank you Rebekah Russell! Joe’s t-shirt quilt is beautiful beyond anything we could have imaged, and we love it! Cole suspects his dad is laughing hard at getting the last word – one of many, I might add.
Our friends, David, Johnny and Andrea, were holding the quilt with Cole. It was bittersweet as all of them pointed to the t-shirts Joe was best known for wearing. The White Sox shirt (David noted this was where Joe turned traitor), the t-shirt with Cole’s baby foot print made for Joe’s first Father’s Day, the black tie-dye t-shirt, faded, worn, but still appropriate for almost any occasion, the bear t-shirt Cole brought Joe from Yellowstone, and the several coach t-shirts commemorating Joe’s love for coaching AYSO soccer.
It would be easy to want to take this quilt and protect it from dog hair and life’s messes, but then that would miss the point entirely, wouldn’t it? So, unfolding Joe’s quilt, tucking it around Rascal and me, I slept soundly last night, and dreamed a Winnie the Pooh quote, – “If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.”
Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for You and You and You.
Odd Loves Company!
This is so wonderful and creative…what a great idea…it will be with you forever.
Laughing and crying…..
Like. Like. And double like!
That is wonderful!
Wow! That is wonderful
Beautiful, just beautiful.
Wonderful!!!! I love it
The quilt is great. I can’t wait to see it in person.
M
I love it!
What a terrific idea.
I know Joey loves it too.
xo
e
Looks like a good “classic movies” blanket 🙂
I was very sure you of ALL people would love it. Not sure what a classic movies blanket it but I suspect Joe would love that! Its even more wonderful after a nap; now it has a little Rascal hair and some nap drool.
OXKb
Having held on to my Rocky and Shaun Cassidy t-shirts far longer then was safe…I just love this quilt. What a fabulous way to keep what was so important to Joe and the best is that this will always be in Cole’s hands. And with just the right touch of humor that was so Joe…
Just amazing!!! Joe would have loved this.
i love this.
It’s lovely. And the idea too that something that was, um, ‘challenging’ has turned into something deeply meaningful.
I think you could have the last, last laugh, though, by having a Snuggie made from any other t-shirts, or the scraps from the quilt ;p
All I can think is, “Thank GOD Joe didn’t collect exotic underwear!” That would not have made a presentable quilt, but it would have been a conversation starter.
The quilt’s awesome, by the by, and I’m happy you guys have something to wrap around yourselves at this time of year that’s a bit more of a happy memory than a snuggie.
There’s nothing more comfortable than a worn T-Shirt!
(I just noticed that the person above me in the comments said to make this a snuggie, but I think it would be a big mistake. A quilt can be shared.)
Best,
C-
🙂 P.S. I will be sure to FACEBOOK you in the future when I write something on MYODDFAMILY.COM
Thanks for sending me to your odd post to see your quilt. I would love to do one. In the future maybe I will. Cause all my family have tees that means something. A wonderful keepsake even when it gets worn some more and fades with the years.:)
This is so beautiful ! Really lovely ! I would have never thought to gather all the T-shirt like this and turn them into something to warm and soothe you both. Brilliant absolutely brilliant and beautiful !
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