What to do with a Loved One’s Clothing

I was helping a friend sort her mother’s belongings after she sold her home to downsize. The activity brought back memories of sorting through my own Mom’s belongings in New York after her death.

Once my family and I made our selections from Mom’s personal possessions, I prayed. “Dear Heavenly Father, please guide me what to do with the rest of Mom’s things.” In no time at all, her possessions were given to friends or those in need. But when it came time to dispose of her clothing, I couldn’t part with them.

As I looked over the various items, they brought back special memories. I recalled the fun we had trying on clothes during shopping trips. And watching her smile when she unwrapped the beautiful blouse or sweater I’d given her on a special occasion like Mother’s Day, birthday, or Christmas. And seeing her wear her new flannel pjs around our home during the holidays. And discussing with her which hand painted t-shirt she would like when we attended the local art show on her summer visits. And ironing her jeans and being amazed how short her legs were compared to mine.

“Why don’t you just take them to Goodwill,” someone suggested. “I can’t,” I insisted. At that moment I recalled seeing a memory quilt years earlier at the home of my husband’s godparents. Made from the baby and childhood clothing of his godmother, it made a lasting impression. I called my sister right away and discussed having quilts made from Mom’s clothes. She loved the idea and even offered to pay the cost. I packed up Mom’s clothing and shipped them to my home back in Virginia.

I searched for a local quilter experienced with making memory quilts. After several interviews, I found the perfect person for the task. We met to discuss size, pattern, fabric, etc., with my sister participating from New York via telephone. A year later we received the bed quilts, lap quilts, pillow shams and throw pillows. “Do you want me to throw away the scraps?” the quilter asked holding up the bag of remnants. “No!” I shouted as I grabbed the bag and stared at what was left of Mom’s clothes. “There must be something we can do with them.” I then commissioned her to make tote bags from the scraps.

Overjoyed with the project, I called the local newspaper suggesting an article about memory quilts so others could know about this special way of using their loved one’s clothing. The newspaper liked the idea as the following month was National Quilt Month. The story was printed with a large photo of me wrapped in Mom’s quilt. After the article was published, the quilter received so many orders she had to hire extra help. Months later I received the beautiful tote bags.

I don’t believe the timing of receiving the quilts was a coincidence. It was all part of an answer to prayer. God just so happened to bless a lot of others in the process.