Courage and Treasures

Cooper's Quilt

We need to share with you the story of probably the most courageous woman we have ever met.   Michelle, the mother of Cooper, asked us to make a quilt from Cooper’s T-shirts and bed linens.   Cooper, her two year old baby, had died just three weeks prior to the call.  When we met with Michelle she was so filled with genuine love of life and of Cooper, we immediately knew that we were privileged to be in the presence of a very special and courageous woman.

Michelle and her husband had shown the deepest  love in caring for Cooper.

Cooper

They were relentless in making sure that he  experienced as many parts of  life as possible – trips to the beach, baseball (even if he rooted for the dreaded Boston Red Sox!) and even airplane rides to help others.   They started a campaign in Cooper’s name to focus attention on his very rare disease and continue even today to hold his memory high.

We were so blessed to be able to contribute in some small way to the healing of his family,   Yesterday, we presented a completed quilt to Michelle,  her Mom and her husband David (over a  cell phone).  It contained many T-shirts, baby towels, diaper covers, socks,  crib bumper fabric, parts from a mobile and even the crib bed shirt.   The most special part was in the center – angel wings from one of Cooper’s onesies.

Cooper's Wings

When Michelle saw the complete quilt,  she immediately fell in love all over again.  She stroked it and we knew she was reunited with her baby once again.   Her Mom used words describing the quilt as a ‘gift and a treasure’ but she surely was also referring to her daughter, son-in-law and Cooper himself.

Cooper "The Cowboy" socks

The back of the quilt with the crib skirt

A quilt can be many things;  this time, it was the perfect thing – something very real and tangible to wrap oneself in and feel the love.   It can be a treasure to hold onto in a very real way.  A memory quilt can also remind us of the joys, challenges and ultimately the gift we are given by every person in our lives.   And to also help speed the healing when we hurt.

Learn more about Cooper and his young life.

Visit www.coopersquest.com and  www.caringbridge.org/visit/coopaloop