Thursday, November 12, 2009

Special Delivery


M is for Most generous.
Most kind.
Most delightful.
Most unexpected.


This is the bed that Geoff and I saw in a resale shop. I think it was about 18 months ago, and we knew we were not going to find a better fit for our romantic and feminine daughter. With no place to put it, but the garage, we brought it home. You know how excited I was about putting this in a room for Maria... a room of her own? I waited her whole life to make a beautiful room just for her.


Waiting. In the middle of waiting there can be so much angst and frustration. And I think it is strange how suddenly it can seem that the waiting is over, and now we find ourselves where we were waiting to get. Home. What a journey. What an arduous and challenging journey, and yet we are done waiting and the things we stored in our hearts, and garage, can be unpacked and fulfilled, put in place and enjoyed.

The difference between preparing a baby's nursery and setting up a little girl's room, is that one is all about anticipation and personal choices, and the other is all about knowing who will live there and what she would choose and love. Maria loves pink. And for several months she has been acknowledging that her color preferences also include red, "which is like dark pink," and green and yellow and orange and blue. She delights in the realization that we do not have to restrict our color favorites to one shade. She swoons over lace and ribbons, tulle with sparkles are cause for dancing, flowers make her sigh, rainbows and hair bows make her exclaim her adoration.


There is no end to the manufactured glitter and glam in the decorating world, but I wanted to create a room with homemade touches and natural femininity, where her own imagination could build a fairy tale and rainbows. I imagined gathering the art and furniture from here and there, seeking vintage charm and meaningful images to surround her. I was busy packing and moving and keeping things, as best I could, in working order, so I was not sure when or how I was ever going to achieve this vision. Yet the vision of a homemade room, with personal touches and Maria-esque flavor was always on my mind, right down to the quilt I hoped to make for her bunny bed.

We were still learning how to find one room from the next, still opening closet doors and discovering the best corners of our Bird House, when we heard the first knock on our door. It brought the first package.

Pause.
My heart paused.
My thoughts paused.
I remembered a blog giveaway, a contest. I remembered something about vintage sheets cut in squares for quilt making. I remembered when I left a comment on the blog, thinking "I have no business coveting fabric in the middle of this moving madness."


Tears.
Maria and Max didn't pause and they eagerly assisted, opening the big package in record time, while I tearfully began to comprehend what had happened. Tearfully, because I can never get over how kind "strangers" can be, because I was stunned by how delightful and perfect Tara's gift is. Tears because it was all so very unexpected. And thankfully, Max and Maria knew these were happy tears. They were stunned and delighted as well, as I explained where this beautiful gift came from.


Thoughtful, busy, talented and generous Tara did not send me cut squares for me to stash away until I could maybe some day make a quilt. She knew my situation and she sent us something she had already made herself. Pink and yellow and green and red and orange, feminine and charming, vintage and handmade, and complete with an M for Maria. The pink M monogram has a bunny print, a perfect match for the bunny bed.


Doily heart... so sweet.


No one knew about the bunny bed waiting in the garage, and it had been a long time since I wrote anything about wanting to decorate a room for my daughter. I wish I could really convey that sense of enchantment I feel about what Tara did, how she brought magic to our home. She rejuvenated my dreams and gave my hopes flight... And you really mustn't think I am over stating this, because sometimes when we least expect it, when we are struggling, we can be overcome with gratitude and wonder and it's good to try and find the words to express that joy and awe.

Thank you Tara. It's so beautifully made. I love the soft fabrics, the nostalgic look of those sweet prints. All combined, the old sheet squares make such a comforting and gentle quilt, sure to keep Maria smiling, even in her sleep. It is just what we needed, in so many ways.

12 comments:

Sproglet said...

Ahh, this just brought a little tear to my eye. How thoughtful, and how funny about the bunnies. Sixth sense.

I hope Maria enjoys it :o)

tara said...

I cant tell you how happy your post made me. It does seem that things happen just when they are supposed to. And your blog today is just what I needed. So, thank-you.

Teresa Stenson said...

Yeah, having a moment here too...

judy in ky said...

It's a perfect house warmingj/bedroom warming gift for Maria! Very sweet.

gardenmama said...

It always warms my heart to read of a mama's love for their little one. The beauty you are surrounding your daughter with is so comforting, how lovely to have such an exquisite and deeply thoughtful gift arrive at your door step! Many warm wishes!

Katie said...

People like Tara (and you) restore my faith in humanity. Thank you.

OIJOY PHOTO - the blog said...

how thoughtful, how awesome! Such a sweet story:)

Dallas said...

Wow, that is an absolutely beautiful quilt, and such a gorgeous little girl room. What a wonderful surprise to have the quilt sent and already completed.

Laura Jane said...

Oh! How wonderful, and so meant to be, and just what you all deserve, and generous of Tara.

(Sniff)

Marcia said...

Oh that's so sweet! Those little one's rooms are soooo important and exciting!

Em said...

You're absolutly making me cry! Tara's so sweet to do that for Maria and you!

Simone said...

Tara's kindness moved me. So much love going round!