Gifts Given

For two months while I was confined to bedrest, my dear friends Mike and Margaret brought me the greatest Gift on earth every single day: my Savior Jesus Christ under the disguise of a humble piece of bread. The gift of the Eucharist was the highlight of my day while I rested and prayed for baby Nathanael to grow strong in my womb. I know the Eucharist helped me to grow stronger in my faith those two, long months. Each time I received Him, I could feel the anxiety leave my soul and be replaced with peace and joy. I treasured those minutes with Mike and Margaret every day... reading the Scriptures together, praying together, and being in the Presence of Jesus together. Receiving Jesus daily during that time on bedrest made my love and hunger for Him grow in a very beautiful way, and once my time on bedrest was complete I made a commitment to receive Jesus in the Eucharist as often as I could, for there is no greater Gift on this side of Heaven. I also made a commitment to find a way to thank Mike and Margaret for bringing me such a Great Gift. And so I started making them a gift of thanks...

My gift started with a simple rose, frayed around the edges to give texture and dimension (a tecnique called "French Roses" taught by quilter Heather French).

I followed with 9 more roses to represent the 10 roses we offer to Mary in a decade of the rosary (the word rosary actually comes from the word "rosario" (Latin for "rose") because each "Hail Mary" that we pray is like offering a rose to the Queen of Heaven).

Mary is our Queen and our heavenly Mother; how fitting to offer her roses just like a little child picks wildflowers to delight his or her mother! :) Let's surround Mary with roses every day!!!

As I stitched Our Blessed Mother's glowing halo and her tender hands folded in prayer, I tried to offer prayers of thanksgiving and blessing upon Mike and Margaret who, like Mary, glow with God's love.

For over 9 months I worked on this gift for them, designing every inch from Mary's rose-covered feet like she appeared to St. Bernadette, to the moon upon which she stood like the miraculous image on Juan Diego's tilma. Although Mary's true beauty far surpasses any image ever created, I prayed that Our Lady would be pleased with this humble quilt, and that Mike and Margaret's hearts would be touched as they touched mine.

What a sweet memory I will always carry, presenting them with this gift from my heart.

Margaret is such an inspiration to me...her deep faith, her love for Jesus and His mother, and her passion for defending the unborn. Margaret has faithfully prayed at Planned Parenthood every Friday for many years and has led numerous 40 Days for Life campaigns with me as her humble side-kick :) I wonder how many babies her prayers and loving witness have saved from abortion? I feel so blessed to be her friend.

Mary, my mother, I pray that you bless Mike and Margaret with graces galore for bringing me the Gift of your Son in such a beautiful way. And I pray that more and more people turn to you for help in times of trouble, for you are the loving mother to us all, guiding all souls to the only Source of Salvation, your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.