an extra special gift

Another baby shower in the books means we are getting even closer to our little girl’s entrance into the world!  I know I have said this with the last 2 showers, but I have felt so completely loved and blessed to have such wonderful friends + family in my life.  We have received so many wonderful gifts and more support + encouragement than I could ever have possibly imagined.  Thank you cards just aren’t able to express that appreciation I have for these wonderful people in my life.

With all the gifts we have received so far, there was one gift I received this weekend that stood out above all the rest.  It was nothing expensive or anything I particularly wanted, but it was something that meant the world to me and I will cherish it for the rest of my life – and I hope my daughter will cherish it just as much as I have.

I had just opened a gift from my mom and was getting ready to open another one that I helped her bring in, thinking, of course, that it was also from her.  (If I didn’t think I was going to spoil my little girl to death, I’m sure my mom – and Matt’s mom – would make up for it!)  However, as I put the gift onto my lap, my mom locked eyes with me and told me it wasn’t from her.

It was from my grandma…

I carefully untied the white ribbon and slid my finger across the pink polka  dotted paper.  I slowly lifted off the top of the box to reveal a beautiful pink afghan with pink flowers made with my grandmother’s own 2 hands.

I don’t know how I didn’t cry.  I just tried not to think about who it was from and the meaning behind it.  I knew that if I let one tear fall, there was no way I’d be able to finish opening the rest of the gifts.

Before my grandma became ill earlier this year, she had started this blanket and was able to finish it before passing away last month.  And here I always thought that she didn’t even remember that I was pregnant when I would come to visit her.  Little did I know she had this beautiful blanket tucked away in her basement for her kids to find once she had passed.

My grandma has made afghans for as long as I remember.  My brother + I would stay the night at Grandma + Grandpa’s wrapped up in her handmade afghans.  We would build forts with couch pillows and her afghans.  Anytime I see an afghan, I always think of my grandma.

We have received so many beautiful handmade blankets from our friends + family.  I love each and every handmade blanket we have received because I know the time + effort put in to creating such a beautiful gift.  However, as much as I love those other blankets, this blanket will always hold a special place in my heart.  I will forever think of my grandma when I see that blanket and I cannot wait to be able to cuddle with my own little girl in it and share memories of the great grandmother she was never able to meet.