A Special Holiday Gift of Long Ago

Many years ago, after we moved to Illinois, my grade, high school and forever friend, Mavis in Hawaii would send us amazing works of fabric and woven art each holiday season.

Mavis has always been incredibly talented in every way. She was one of the smartest, most thoughtful kids in high school and then a super talented designer of all manner of clothing, quilts, you name it, she created it. Some of the adorable items she created for my children and grandchildren are framed on my wall or passed down to our grandchildren. 

And when Art retired from the U.S.E.P.A. I asked her if she could use Art's many old ties for any of her projects. She said she could. So I happily sent them to her and promptly forgot about it. 

What a surprise when she sent this retirement quilt to us to commemorate Art's work at EPA!

It’s now proudly hanging in Art’s office here in Hawaii. 😁

Mavis knew about our cold Chicago weather and surprised me one year with this incredible fleece cardigan. I was astounded to think of the time it took her to crochet all those snowflake like doilies to add to the cardigan. 

I used to enjoy wearing Mavis' cardigan to my Illinois classroom because my 1st grade students had fun seeing it. I imagine they were trying to count how many snowflakes were attached to me, or maybe the colorful buttons.

I  didn't bring much cold weather clothing with me when we moved back to Hawaii, but I had to bring this. 

Anyway, I've always hated going into that super cold refrigerated room at Sam's Club here in Hawaii to pick up our salad, blueberries, grapes, milk or whatever.  

One morning, I wondered if  it would be a good idea to wear Mavis' fleece cardigan into that freeeezing ❅ room. 

And yes, it was perfect. I was probably the only warm person in that room and could take my time finding which salad had the longest expiration date. 

When all my friends and I got to a certain age, we have taken pity on each other and are not sending gifts anymore. However, whenever I look at Mavis' creations, I have to smile. And that's the best gift of all. The memories.