I love to take my children to the library, especially my youngest son. We scour the shelves for books with bright pictures and lively stories - not too short and not too long since he's still a toddler. Sometimes I discover one that touches my heart.
The Quiltmakers Gift by Jeff Brumbeau and Gail de Marcken is such a book. This is a charming fable that celebrates the joy of giving by pitting a generous quiltmaker with magic in her fingers against a greedy king who demands gifts from everyone in his town.
Even though the king has everything he is searching for one special gift that will make him happy and he believes it's a quilt from the quiltmaker who lives high in the mountains. When he threatens her with bears and drowning, she smiles and says that she never sells her quilts. She won't give him one either because they are for those who have nothing and he has everything.
She tells the king that each time he gives away one of his treasures to someone else she will put a piece in a quilt for him. Eventually, the king learns that giving made him happy in a way that receiving never could.
Since the publication of The Quiltmakers Journey and The Quiltmakers Gift, the authors began collecting stories of generosity and sharing from around the world. Some people were inspired to act after reading the two books. Others wrote into the website to tell stories of generous people and organizations who reminded them of the quiltmaker in the books.
One such group was Fresh Youth Initiative of New York City. Since 1995 the youth of Washington Heights have gathered together to make sleeping bags for distribution to homeless people in their neighborhood. Andrew Rubinson says that nearly 1,000 youth have participated in making 400 hand sewn sleeping bags. These children are like the Quiltmaker who walked the darkness putting blankets on the shoulders of people sleeping in the streets.
I stumbled upon another group that carries on the tradition of the Quiltmaker. I don't know if the women of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Ministry from Chapel Hill, NC, have ever read the Quiltmakers Gift. They certainly embody her spirit by making quilts that they've donated to Lutheran World Relief, hurricane disaster relief programs, nurseries at local hospitals, and grade school children in need.
Quilters are known to be generous, creative people who love to share their gifts with those they love. Look to the fictitious Quiltmaker of Brumbeau's story and to the real women and youth of this world reaching out to help others in need. Giving indeed is better than receiving.
2 comments:
Lisa thanks for sharing this wonderful story. I find that lot of children books have really lovely meaningful stories, and I think that adults should read them too to learn or to be reminded. My piano teacher is making quilt too, its been long time, but looks like she is again full of energy to finishe it. Thanks again Lisa for sharing, Anna :)
Oh Anna, I agree. Have you ever read "The Giving Tree"? Now that is one powerful book. Made me cry the first time I read it to my son. I'm sure he thought I was nuts but it really touched me.
Quiltmakers tend to be very generous people. My mother-in-law is a quilter and she is always making and giving away her hard work. They are so beautiful. I just love them and her.
Peace,
Lisa
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