I never imagined that I'd be able to do it myself. I knew nothing about quilting. Besides, I thought quilts were made by little old ladies in stuffy old attics.

I've come a long way. And I am incredibly grateful for the journey!

When Daddy first died, about two years ago, I was at a total loss. Sure, I was happy that he didn't have to suffer anymore. (Cancer is a real bear.) But he was gone. Really gone. It wasn't easy. There was so much to do. So many people to contact. So much stuff to get rid of and donate or just hold and smell and remember. He had a whole closet just for his ties. My dad loved ties. Even the horrible ones given by little girls who had no concept of 'this matching with that'. Someone should make a quilt out of them!

I searched and searched the yellow pages for little old quilter ladies. I even took a quilting seminar in hopes of snagging one to do the job. I couldn't find anyone. I stuffed my dad's ties into old hat boxes. And left them undisturbed in the corner of my room. Months passed. 'Why don't you just do it yourself', said my mother. And, finally, after a year and a half of pricked and twisted fingers, and a back that ached like crazy, I finished my very first, very special 'Daddy' quilt. I never imagined I'd be able to do it myself. I'm glad I was wrong.

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