Wednesday, October 01, 2014

To My Students

Dear Students at AQS Quilt Week in Des Moines,

I was so excited to see you and spend this week with you.  The thought of teaching quilting always makes me smile.  You are the reason that I wake up stupidly early and fight the armrest wars.

In over a decade, I have never cancelled a quilt class.  Ever.  Sadly,  that changed this morning.  I received a phone call.  That phone call.  The phone call that no daughter wants to receive.  The phone call that changed everything.

This morning, my father died suddenly when an abdominal aneurysm ruptured.  This came as a total and complete shock to all of us.

I miss my dad already:



I have spent all day traveling and am now at home with my family.

Many thanks to AQS for handling a tearful early-morning phone call with grace.

Many thanks to Handi Quilter.  They sponsored my classroom at the quilt show.  With one phone call, they sent their team to pack up my classroom for me.  "Don't worry about anything," were their words to me.

Many thanks to the Marriott.  They jumped into action, drove me to the convention center and then to the airport to catch the first flight out.

Many thanks to Delta.  I made one phone call and they handled all of the details.

Many thanks to the lovely and talented Angela Walters who offered to adopt my students as hers for the week.  You, my students, are in good hands.

This morning, I received countless hugs, squeezes, and tissues from quilters, both friends and strangers.  My phone has been buzzing with emails, texts and calls of support.  Quilters are amazing, and I love and appreciate you all.



22 comments:

Judy D in WA said...

So sorry for your loss. Deepest sympathies Debby.

Kathy@KayakQuilting said...

So very sorry. Losing one parents is difficult no matter how old or young they are.

LiahonaGirl said...

Debby, you have my heartfelt condolences. As a daddy's girl myself, I can't even imagine how great a loss. My dad just turned 85 last week and is in very frail health. I know that I'll need to face this myself in the not too distant future. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult and tender tine.

Paula, the quilter said...

My thoughts are with you as you go through the process of saying goodbye to your father. It's never easy, no matter how you were or weren't. I hope the good memories will comfort you in the weeks and years ahead.

MyQuiltingLady.com said...

So sorry to hear this Debby. May God grant you peace during this difficult time. Laurie

Celeste said...

So sorry to hear about your loss of your Dad. It is so hard to lose them without the chance to say a final good bye. Sending positive thoughts your way to make it easier for you to get through this.

Margo said...

Hugs....

Pepper Cory said...

Much love and good vibes to you andyour family. My situation with Parent's passing was the same. God bless and I'll see you up the road.

Janet Myers said...

Debby. So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

Jacqueline said...

So sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.

Barb Johnson said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Losing a parent is hard enough when it is expected (long illness, for example) but when it is unexpected... how devastated you must be.
I'm so glad that everyone jumped in to make the trip arrangements easier on you so you didn't have to deal with any hassles.

QuilterMary said...

My dear friend - so very sorry for your loss and sadness.

Unknown said...

Debby, So sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you. Debbie Jacoby

Eileen said...

Debby, my heart hurts for you. May God bless you and your family at this sad time.

KathyD said...

Hugs go out to you with the loss of your father. I hope all the wonderful memories you have will help you through this difficult time. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Queenie Believe said...

Thoughts and prayers ascend for you and family during this very sad time.

Sue Halter said...

Debbie, I am so very sorry for your loss. Cherish the good memories.

Kim said...

I am so sorry, you know I am with you in spirit.

Hugs

LindaGosselin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
iamaquilter2 said...

Debby, so sorry for the sudden loss of your father. I truly know how it feels as I received the same phone call over 10 years ago regarding the sudden death of my dear Father. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

Sharon said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. Sending prayers to you and your family.

ytsmom said...

I'm so sorry for your loss.