Monday, September 24, 2007

Blessings!

I feel a strong need to share a few things with you - I hope you'll indulge me and keep reading. :-)

I've been doing something free of charge for a couple of quilt pattern designer friends as they are preparing to show their wares at the Houston Quilt Market next month. I don't want to tell you who they are or what I'm doing because I don't want to embarass them. Anyway, last week I was chatting with a local quilt store owner and one of the employees about what I've been doing (they guessed I was doing it free of charge) and they both told me that I would be repaid in so many ways for helping my friends. I don't expect repayment - I'm just doing it because I want to (that's who I am). A few days later I received an adorable card with a gift card for Chili's from my designer friends just to say thank you and that they love me. I felt loved and appreciated!

A few months ago I pieced, quilted and wrote a pattern for a store sample for the same local quilt store owner using fabric she provided. This sample helped her more than we thought it would. As Martha would said "that's a good thing". A simple thank you was enough for me however today she gave me the quilt. Needless to say my eyes were brimming with tears.

Last week I received an e-mail from Carol in Florida telling me that a little bird told her that I'd been coveting the book "Prairie Children and Their Quilts" so she put a book in the mail for me. The book arrived and she'd included a sweet note on the inside front page. I'm not sure what I did to deserve this special treat from Carol but I appreciate her thoughtfulness very much!

Today a package arrived from Carole in Upstate NY and I couldn't believe what I found when I tore open the package. Inside was the cutest Halloween tabletopper - oh my goodness I was shocked. Again, I'm not sure what I did to deserve this special treat from Carole but I appreciate her thoughtfulness, as well.

The pumpkin pillow I showed you in an earlier post came from Wendy recently! Just because she wanted to send it. Another appreciated special treat.

I won some squares on Sharon's blog in July and when she sent them to me she also included a birthday gift. Yet another appreciated special treat.

Bren was bagophobic like I am and she sent an adorable bag, beautifully made by her, just for me. Another appreciated special treat.

Since I started blogging there have been many other surprises at my door and in my mailbox and I do hope that I've been kind and publicly acknowledged every little treasure. If I haven't mentioned you here today please know that I appreciate you, too.

Blessings are not necessarily things that you can feel and touch - they are sweet e-mails, they are offers to help with learning how to do something. Like Vicky and Patti inspiring me to learn how to do hand applique. Linda and others doing exquisite stitchery projects that inspired me to jump into doing stitchery when I thought I'd forgotten how. Linda and Kim making sure I received a coveted publication!

When the special surprises and treats arrive I struggle with whether or not I should publicly thank you on my blog or just send a thank you via e-mail. I hope I've done it the right way every time!

I don't know what I've done to receive so many blessings however I want to say thank you to each and every one of you for your special friendship! I hope that I've been a friend, as well.

Of course, I must say thank you for indulging me and reading this!

In Friendship!

30 comments:

Unknown said...

All well deserved blessings Darlene, and their reward will come. You wondered why.... because you are YOU....

May Britt said...

I know exactly how you are feeling. When your surprised came on my door I also felt so happy and apriciated. Quilt friends are the best!!!!!!!!!!
And you deserve all your surprises.

~Bren~ said...

It is a spiritual law...nothing that you do can change it one way or another. God set it on motion at the beginning of time. It is something I teach my children from the second they can understand..."You reap what you sow"...if you do bad, you get bad...if you do good you get good!

Doodlebug Gail said...

You deserve each and every one of those gorgeous blessings. As Bren said .... "You reap what you sow" ..... it is so true. Hugs

Anne Heidi said...

Nice things happen to nice people! It is true that you should treat others the way you would like to be treated- so since you are a lovely giving person, in return others will be good to you!

Quilter Kathy said...

One of my favorite quotes (I wish I knew the source) is..."be the change you want to see in the world". You are blessed because you are such a blessing to all of us! Enjoy every special treat you receive!

Juliann in WA said...

Darlene - You are so easy to like and it is fun to do things for people who are gracious and kind. I so enjoy reading your blog. In a world of many who view life as half full, you are a "my cup is overlowing" gal.

CONNIE W said...

Darlene, Anyone as sweet as you deserves to be treated just as sweetly by others. Your heart is so big and full of giving to others. How wonderful that others feel like showing you their appreciation in these lovely ways. You are special.
Hugs...

Anonymous said...

Darlene, all that you do is coming back to you... it's as simple as that, and you deserve it a thousand times !
In understand what you mean by "struggling whether to blog it or not", I also often feel the same when I get some treats, because I'm always thinking about our shy, lonely, quilty friends who are not so lucky....

But, by all means, ENJOY, my friend !

((HUGS)) & smiles to you !
NADINE

Anonymous said...

People give from the hearts because they want too:) You're kindness must come naturally, you're very lucky to have friends that notice your kindness. Which makes your blessings well deserved

Susan said...

You are so dear to all of us. You are just reaping the rewards for being the good friend that you are to all.

Quilts And Pieces said...

All well deserved I'm sure! You keep our days bright!

Wendy said...

I always say to treat others in which you would like to be treated in return. You are very kind and giving person. It's so easy to want to give back to you. Thanks for all your kindness and inspiration and mostly your friendship.
Hugs :-)

Floss said...

You are blessed, but you only get back what you give out, so you deserve it.

Carol said...

Darlene you are VERY special and have become a very special part of my life. Quilt friends truly are the best!
Thank you for being that "my cup is overflowing" gal as Juliann so perfectly said.

Happy Zombie said...

Give, and you shall receive. So true and so deserved Darlene!

Thimbleanna said...

You've obviously been a very good friend to have so many special friends. What a very sweet post!

Sweet P said...

You give blessings and so you receive them in return. Enjoy all your new gifts. Perhaps you could take your new book to Chili's and read it while you enjoy your meal.

Red Geranium Cottage said...

Aren't blogging friends and quilty friends just the best?? I think they are. They just make you feel so good when you aren't even expecting it. And let's not forget we also recieved a lovely pincushion from a girl named DARLENE!!!!!

Mar said...

I know I'm new, but I can already tell...you and your friendship is a blessing to all of us

Nan said...

Isn't it wonderful when all the marvelous things you do for others comes back to you? You deserve all you have received and then some, my friend!
We're lucky to have you in our lives, Darlene!!!

atet said...

What you've done is be a kind, caring and generous person. The kind that makes you want to do things for them -- sometimes the universe does reward those who deserve it -- and you do!

Vicky said...

Blessings beget blessings. You've been such a wonderful blogger and friend to so many people. You deserve the goodies!! (Hugs)

Yvonne said...

I ditto what everyone has said....I know that I am really glad to have you as my "friend" and I can understand how you have been showered with so many "blessings". Enjoy and know that you are loved by many!

Doe said...

One word, KARMA! You've done a lot of nice things to people without asking for anything in return. And it is ever so sweet to receive something when you're not expecting it.

Pam said...

My husband always says "quilters are very special people" And he is right - and you are a quilter who gives of yourself to others and ask nothing in return. This is a nice little community in which we belong :))

kcdi said...

Darlene, you are a true sweetheart and you deserve all those blessings and more... you are a blessing to all those you come in contact with. Thank you for being you!

Cheryl said...

My mom always said, what you put out is what you get back! The kindness you show to others has come back to you. You are a good
person!

Jeanne said...

Isn't it wonderful how the kindness goes around from one blogger to another? You deserve each and every surprise, Darlene. I'm so happy that I met you.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

Reaping blessings, life IS good! :)

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...