Mary Stevens estimates she's made about 700 personalized quilts for child cancer patients since she began in 1996, when her then-4-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia.
Mary signs all her hand-sewn works of art the same way: She writes her initials inside a tiny heart that appears in a corner, where it’s easily overlooked.
Virtual anonymity doesn’t bother the 47-year-old Canton resident at all. She doesn’t need to see or meet the strangers who unexpectedly receive one of her exquisite quilts.
“I know all about their journey,” Stevens said quietly.
Stevens makes quilts for newly diagnosed young patients of the Aflac Cancer Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Cheerful quilts whipped up in shades of pink, yellow and green, their surfaces sprinkled with puppy dogs, skateboards or flowers.
One-of-a-kind quilts personalized for Ashley or Brody or whatever other names the hospital’s nurses and social workers pass along to her on a regular basis. Cozy quilts designed to make treatment rooms feel less chilly and the overall circumstances not quite as scary.
While her son, Michael, endured long hours of chemotherapy, Mary tried to keep herself calm by stitching a quilt covered with ladybugs and strawberries.
She overheard another 4-year-old patient named Carly tell her mother, “I want one of those.”
“When I finished, I gave it to her,” said Stevens, who works in the lunchroom at Nicholson Elementary School in Marietta and learned quilting from the grandmother of her husband, Terry. “And that’s how it started.”
Michael is 17 and in remission now. Most mornings, Stevens drops him off at Kell High School, then quilts in the Nicholson library until her workday begins. She pays for all the materials herself, which eat up her entire paycheck most weeks.
For patient confidentiality reasons, the nurses tell her only the first names and ages of the youngsters who’ll end up cuddling in her quilts. Recently, though, she became reacquainted with Carly at a social gathering.
Now a teenager, Carly didn’t recall their long ago meeting in the hospital. She still had the ladybug quilt that started it all, although that wasn’t what had Stevens so quietly elated.
“I never knew what happened to her until I saw her again last year,” Stevens said. “I was relieved. I knew she had made it.”
Excerpted from an article by Jill Vejnoska, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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On 12/25/2009, Ruth Landon said ...
Happy Christmas Susan.
Thankyou for sharing the story of Mary Stevens another of our angels on earth. Its amazing how many lives 1 person can quietly touch.
No white Christmas in this part of Canada, only rain to come later.
Hugs Ruth
On 12/25/2009, Donna said ...
We never know who lives we may touch. Love the story. I hope you have a good day.
Blessings
On 12/25/2009, Sandy said ...
The spirit of Christmas every day. How nice. We can all learn a lesson from this story.
On 12/25/2009, molly said ...
Merry Christmas Susan, what a wonderful gift of a story of a gifter! LOVE it!! Hope you have a relaxing, love-filled day today.
On 12/25/2009, Debbie said ...
Most quilters I know have big hearts and this was just one more example. Thanks for the story. I hope you're having a good day!
On 12/25/2009, Linda said ...
Thank you for this inspiring story!
Blessed Christmas, Susan.
On 12/25/2009, Kai said ...
THAT is the meaning of Christmas. Love given freely and unselfishly. Kindness shown to strangers. It's the beginning to peace on earth. If everyone could do just a LITTLE to add to this world's joy, there WOULD be peace because no one would have time to contemplate war. Thank you for a beautiful reminder. Merry Christmas, dear friend! I love you!
On 12/25/2009, Whidbey Woman said ...
Someone makes quilts and donates them to the local cancer center. My husband got to pick out one... he chose blue, his favorite color. Nice post. Thanks for sharing!
On 12/25/2009, Barbara Anne said ...
Merry Christmas, Susan!
Hope your day has been rich in love.
Thanks for the story your posted. It is inspiring in the simple step to make a positive difference that Ms. Stevens chose and chooses to take. Her quilts sing!
Hugs!
On 12/25/2009, Jan said ...
What a wonderful story Susan and God Bless you for sharing it at the most perfect time! It truly warmed my heart :) Merry Christmas my dear :)
On 12/25/2009, valerie said ...
This is such a gift of love. I admire her so much. Thank you for sharing this.
On 12/25/2009, Arlette said ...
Mele Kalikimaka, Susan! I hope you and Sophie had a beautiful Christmas.
Aloha!
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