My Soldier came to visit!

[EnumclawGramma]

You guys are such a wonderful group! Thanks for all the nice comments. Really though, this was a labor of love and I was honored to be able to do it. Isn't that what quilting's all about?

[Nidan_07]

That is just beautiful. A really great thing for a soldier to receive something so special whilst they are away. I think that is a great cause to donate a quilt to. As I know that such a thing as quilts for Valor exists, I have googled it and found one here in Australia. I will be onto them to see what quilting I can do for our brave Aussie men and women. Thanks for the post. Really enjoyed your message.

[Loonwatcher]

OMG! That is the best story I've read in a very long time. I'm all choked up. WAHOO and HOORAY for you. You did a wonderful thing.

[Genny]

I read a thread on here yesterday about Quilts of Valor and it reminded me! Had intended to post this last week and totally forgot!

Some of you may remember my soldier quilt. A few of the ladies on here....5 I believe, jumped in and made quilts as well. My soldier was a high school friend of my son and was serving his 4th tour in Afghanistan. I sent him a quilt. I had perused the Quilts of Valor sight and found it way too restricting for me. I wanted to know WHO my quilt went to.

So anyway, Kelly got my quilt and loved it. He made sure that quilts from the ladies here went directly to guys in his group that needed a hug from home We made several soldiers feel the love, for sure!

A couple weekends ago I was sitting out on my deck after a long day of yardwork with my family. I heard a motorcycle pull up out front and stop. I thought it was my middle son dropping in on me. Within minutes, out the back door comes my DH and he says "Libby, there's a Kelly here to see you..." with a lil' joking sound to his voice. I looked up and there standing on my deck was MY SOLDIER - Kelly! I jumped up and hugged the stuffin' out of him! He rode his bike an hour and a half to see me! He wanted me to know how much he loved the quilt and how good it smelled when he pulled it out of the bag (I put it in a spacebag after washing it). He talked a LOT about how much the quilts the ladies made meant to his soldiers. He loved being able to present each one. He told me how they just could not believe someone who didn't even know them put so much care and concern into each one. The whole time we were visiting I just kept thinking "I can't WAIT to tell the ladies about this!" He stayed for a few hours, sitting on the deck enjoying the peace and quiet and just had the best visit. I'm so proud of him. He loved it here and wants to come back for my son's surprise birthday party July 13th. He'll be bringing his wife and 3 daughters with him.

My DH and I walked him out to his bike to watch him go. He rides a beautiful black Harley. We chatted a little more as he got all his gear on. He started his bike and as he left a few cars went by and I said to my husband "Those people in those cars don't even know they just drove by a real American Hero.

Quite a wonderful surprise and end to my day.

To the ladies who participated and made quilts: YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A SOLDIER.

What a beautiful thread to post! I had tears in my eyes reading this . Thank you so much for sharing.

[ilive2craft2]

Libby, this is such a great story! I love that he came to see you. It obviously meant a lot to him too!

[tamsterg7]

Oh Libby, thank you so much for posting this. As I read it I thought about the pic of 'my soldier' with his quilt! I think about him often, pray that he is safe, but wonder where he is now. I will share the details of your visit with my girls at work that contributed to our box for Kelly's boys too. When you see him in July please give him a squeeze from us, and tell him Thank you for his service and that we still think of him!

[Blondie]

Libby, you have made my day. God bless YOU for blessing others!

[pcbatiks]

Libby, thank you so much for sharing this story! just love the way Kelly surprised you after what you did for him! You both made each others day! Your story made my day!

[Monique]

Made me cry too. Thanks for sharing your story with us.

[MRoy]

What a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing it with us Libby.