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Judged by the Content of Our Character

Come Tuesday, we will have a new President, and whether you love him or hate him, you can't deny that the times they are a changin' here in America. (mind you, I am neither Democrat or Republican, I just vote for whoever I think will do the best job for my children, so please don't send me any hate mail asking if I drank too much of the Kool-Aid.) We have repeatedly been called to greater service to our nation and to each other, and people are beginning to respond to that call. Personally, I think it's fabulous that the 'Me' generation is finally starting to take a good look at itself and it's motives, and I find myself agreeing wholeheartedly with a recent comment left on my blog that seeing far too many women waltzing around with 'Princess' emblazoned on their chests is beginning to get a teensy bit old. It's high time we realize that it's not about 'us' with a small u, it's about 'Us' with a big U. For over a decade we spent too much, we borrowed too much, we got too greedy, and we forgot about what's important in life. It's high time we slapped ourselves back into shape, and there's no time like the present to get started. 

On Monday, we will be celebrating Martin Luther King Day, a day that was intended to bring Americans together in service to one another. Dr. King spoke of having his children grow up to live in a nation where they would be judged by the content of their character, and I ask myself what this great man would think of our character if he were alive today? In this new spirit of introspection which seems to be coming over me lately, I find myself questioning the content of my own character, and I find myself becoming more committed than ever to making improvements. How about you?

I have been very inspired by the activities of a friend of mine in Colorado. Her name is Alycia, and she is such a great person. If you knew her, you'd like her. A lot. She's way cool. She's got a ranch, she's got a passle of boys, she rides horses all over the place, and she's a quilter.  But the coolest thing about her is her commitment to the Quilts of Valor program. Despite the fact that she has a ranch to run and those boys to keep track of, she manages to produce dozens and dozens of quilts per year for QOV. She works quite closely with the chaplain at Fort Carson, and last year, he asked her to commit to making 100 quilts for the wounded combat veterans at the Fort Carson Hospital. And he wanted tham by May. Now, 100 quilts might make many of us, me included,  fall over in a dead faint, but not Alycia. She just said "Oh. Okay! I can do that!" and off she went. She teaches kids in her local schools to make quilts, she's got the quilt guilds in her area churning out quilts, she's got ladies stitching on bindings and teenagers sewing matching pillowcases. I'm telling you the woman is a machine.

However.

The chaplain asked for 100 quilts, and at that time there were 400 soldiers in the hospital. Obviously, 100 quilts will not cover 400 soldiers, so Alycia put out a call asking for help in making those extra 300 quilts, and the quilting world responded and sat down to sew. She just got her 300th quilt, but it's already January, and she still needs 100 more by May. And it gets worse. There are now 700 wonded soldiers in that hospital.

Seven. Hundred.

Do the math. 700 minus 300 equals 400 soldiers with no quilts. Now, how do you suppose that Alycia is going to explain that little problem when she arrives at the hospital in May without enough quilts? If you said "Oh. I wouldn't want to be in her shoes on that day!" I'm with you.

So, let's go back to what I was saying way back in Paragraph 2. Monday is MLK Day, and on that day, we as a nation are meant to set aside our own projects and work to assist others. Therefore, I challenge you. I challenge you to set aside your own quilt on Monday and make a quilt for QOV. It doesn't have to be fancy, you don't have to go out and buy all new fabrics, it doesn't have to be quilted to within an inch of it's life, it just has to be a nice sturdy quilt for a young man or woman who went off to serve our country and ended up hurt. It doesn't even have to go to Alycia's project, if you'd prefer to send it directly to QOV. As I've said before, and I'll say again, I couldn't care less if you're for the war or against it, these soldiers are our kids. They're the kids who went to high school with your children or grandchildren. They're the kids who came trick-or-treating to your house, dressed like little pirates and princesses, or in dorky Star Wars costumes with masks they could hardly see out of. They're the kids who used to goof off during church, and hang out at the local park, and work behind the counter of the convenience store until they signed up to go off and get shot at in service to us. Is it too much to ask for them to get a quilt to keep them warm as they wait to see the doctor again, or wait for yet another physical therapy appointment?

If we are to be judged not by the color of our skin but by the content of our character, let's make those characters clean and shiny and worthy of praise. Let's give service to others even if we are busy and have a million things to do. Let's act like MLK Day means something other than no mail and the kids being off from school. I challenge you.

If you want to learn more about Alycia and her way cool project, visit her blog at Alycia Quilts  and check out her No Soldier Forgotten project. If you want to learn more about Quilts of Valor, visit their site to read about the excellent work they are doing.

Please feel free to spread this post around. The more quilters who hear about it, the better. And remember, I'll be quilting QOV quilts (five of them!) on Monday. What will you be doing?

Comments

• 12. Jennine Jones (20 January 2009 at 10:03 a.m.)

  Kim,I admire your determination and inspiration. I, unfortunately, am unable to even walk upstairs, let along do sewing or quilting, but once I am well, I will commit to contributing to Alycia's cause. I felt guilty sitting around yesterday knowing all of you were busily quilting. Oh well. Just wanted to comment that while I neither love nor hate the new President, I respect him and the office and am awed at the historical nature of what has happened in this amazing country in electing him. I hope that as Americans we can take this opportunity to let go of the toxic hatred that has marked politics lately. One way to do that is to get involved in service, and recognize that those we serve are fellow Americans or human beings and it is meaningless what political party they belong to. I bet when those quilts are delivered, it never crosses the mind of the person giving or receiving to wonder or care about the political party of the other person. Just like those people standing on the wings of the plane last week, I bet there were no political discussions or animosity while waiting to be rescued. Off my soapbox. Thanks for being a leader and an inspiration in helping those brave members of the uniformed service who so deserve the gratitude of us all.

• 11. Karen K. (19 January 2009 at 10:58 a.m.)

  Just what I needed to get me motivated! Will put my piecing away and get busy with my pre-cut baggies and get that sewing machine whirring. Passing this on to my buddies who are very prolific too.

• 10. Judy Woodworth (18 January 2009 at 8:55 p.m.)

  I am trying to get my Western Nebraska Panhandle guide involved. I also posted it on Linda Taylor's new forum. We can all pull together to get this done. Way to go Kimmy for getting the word out. Your friend, Judy

• 9. Laurie Tigner (18 January 2009 at 12:20 p.m.)

  Just found out about it from another quilter. Awesome. As a new quilter, a disabled Air Force veteran and a proud Obama supporter, I think it is a great way to celebrate MLK day and the new presidential inauguration while helping the soldiers... Can't wait to get started.....

• 8. Denise in PA (18 January 2009 at 9:35 a.m.)

  Hi Kim, I accept the MLK challenge too. I was going to set aside tomorrow for quilting, but instead of my own as planned, I will make a quilt for a soldier. Thanks for the nudge to make my day off a day of service.

• 7. Jessica Vaughn (18 January 2009 at 9:05 a.m.)

  I accept the MLK challenge. I, for one, have been judged by the color of my skin, and I agree, my character is something bigger. I will forward this challenge to my quilting friends, and together, we will improve our characters one quilt at a time. Alycia is a friend of mine also, and I have already donated 12 quilts to her through an organization that I am passionate about....So way to go Alycia!

• 6. Carol Williams (18 January 2009 at 8:54 a.m.)

  Thanks for the call to action and reminding us of the purpose of MLK day. I will be finishing at least one QOV tomorrow. After I post this, I will be sending an email to my guild members challenging them to quilt tomorrow in service of others--QOV, Project Linus, Quilts for Children, etc. God Bless!

• 5. Rieann (18 January 2009 at 12:29 a.m.)

  Hope you get a great response, and a lot of quilts find their owners. Could I send a quilt top? Would someone be able to quilt it? Happy to send money for batting and backing. Would rather send a top and some money than pay a lot for postage from Australia. Private reply please, not through Q'ville Chat. gemama@iinet.net.au

• 4. Linda in NE (17 January 2009 at 11:44 p.m.)

  I dug out my drawer of r/w/b strips and precut 10" foundations to make a string/Heartstrings quilt for Alycia's project. Will start sewing tomorrow & hope to get it quilted, bound and a pillowcase made before too long.

• 3. Ronda (17 January 2009 at 6:25 p.m.)

  While I am not an Obama fan, I believe wholeheartedly that it is about time many people get off their "I'm the beginning and ending of everything" attitude. Our country is one of the most giving countries in the entire world, but we have had too many who lack charity as a guiding force in their lives. I am positive that Alycia will get the quilts she needs. Quilters are among the most generous and loving people. I am working on a couple myself. Thank you for your compassion and zeal. There will be many who will catch on to that zeal and meet the challenge you have put forth. Many blessings to you.

• 2. Sue Moats (17 January 2009 at 6:24 p.m.)

  Hi Kim, I had already planned to quilt at least one QOV on Monday. Thanks for Challenging others to work on the No Soldier Forgotten and/or QOVs on MLK Day on Monday.

• 1. Nancy Reis (17 January 2009 at 5:52 p.m.)

  I too will be quilting for the No Soldier Forgotten project! Thanks for the challenge, Kimmy -- and Alycia will get the quilts she needs. We quilters will make sure of it!

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