In Part 8, Milly and the children were guests of honor at the one-year anniversary of the Boston Fisher House. With a full crowd in attendance, including members of the Fisher family, we presented the God Bless America quilt. And, a Command (Challenge) Coin was pressed into Milly’s hand. Shortly thereafter Milly became sick.
Part 9
The following year Milly made many trips to school, playing with children. Gloria was always thrilled to see her BFF.
Milly taught the children how to sew, using plastic needles and yarn on cardboard punched with holes. She was the queen of Go Fish and Bingo. Every Milly visit was a very good day at school. Often the children made things for Milly. We were in the middle of learning about kings and queens, and children wanted to make Milly her own crown.
Our director had always wanted a Milly quilt at school. Well, everyone did. And so, Milly and the children designed a beautiful quilt that had everything important to the children- our school, the playground, rail trail, library, Johnson’s ice cream, our school’s Peace Pole and dove, on and on.
The quilt took a good part of the school year to make. Children especially loved picking and adding buttons as windows in the houses. The following fall the quilt was ready. It is called “Our Towns.” We had a lovely celebration at school! The quilt hangs ‘front and center’ in the main hallway at school.
And that year we welcomed a new baby guinea pig, Ella the Fella. He brought so much love and kindness to the children. Things started to grow yet again when we learned a new song, “Bells of Peace.” This song became the hit of the year and continues to be a favorite to this day. Then there was “From the Seed in the Ground”, another wonderful song. That school year seemed to be filled with extra joy, giving, and caring. It felt good.
Peace was creeping in again…
Every May my husband and I take Milly to her favorite restaurant for her birthday dinner. Milly’s classroom visits had dwindled, as she was now getting dialysis three times a week, and walking was very difficult for her. Asking her to do more at school was, well, nervy at best. After a (large) glass of wine, I summoned up my courage.
“Milly, remember the Peace Quilt? Wasn’t that one of the best?”
Milly smiled. “Yes, it was.”
So, I just plunged right in and said it. “The children absolutely love peace. This past year it has been big. Really big. Milly, I want us to make another Peace Quilt. What do you think? Can we do this again?” I think I ordered another glass of wine.
Milly never hesitated. She said, “I think that would be wonderful. I’d love to!”
Here we go again!
Milly’s first visit in the fall was nothing short of wonderful. She arrived wearing a costume. And she gave the costume to Gloria. That was fun. And, ‘so Milly’!
Then we went to work! Children brainstormed their ideas. Milly had been listening carefully. The wheels were turning in her head. Suddenly, she had an epiphany! It was the best idea of all:
“These images of peace are seen through the eyes of children. Why not make the quilt showing children and their family looking outside, through a window, at all these images?”
Brillant! And, just perfect. This was our sketch:
Three children and their family looking at dancing, reading, playing, the ocean, a new baby, hearts falling from a tree, butterflies…
Milly did her magic with the children. Every little thing was a work of art. The little girl’s pony tail was 3-D, the hearts – every one – were puffy and raised, the swings were made with real, tiny chains, the butterfly wings actually flew. And at every visit the children hovered, watching in fascination, as their ideas came to life. It was a wonder!
The quilt was finished at last.
But things were far from over. I bumped into a past parent whose child had been part of the first Peace Quilt. She knew nothing of the new quilt. The conversation went something like this:
“Hi, Jennie! Have you made any more quilts with Milly? I’ll never forget going to Philadelphia with the Peace Quilt. We still talk about that. It was amazing.”
So I told her about Milly and the quilts we had made together.
“Rosanna, we have just made another Peace Quilt! It is stunning, with children and family looking out a window at Peace.”
“Another one? Wow! Jennie, I told you before that the first one needed to go to the White House. That’s really what needs to happen with the new one. The world needs peace now more than ever.”
And the lightbulb went off! Oh, did it ever! I knew where this quilt needed to be. Not the White House. Better! Stayed tuned for Part 10, the grand finalé.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Oh, I love all of this, so much!
I’m so glad, Ritu!! The next one is the biggie. 🥰
Looking forward to it!
🥰
“Ella the Fella”. 😁
Those designs are cool, and Milli too.
I am remembering the line – “ Creativity is a way to express yourself ”.
Thank you, Lokesh. Excellent quote.
So beautiful children ♥️🌹🙏🌹 Best Wishes 👍🏼🌹
Thank you!
So welcome 🌷🙏
You’re welcome.
🙂
This is being the loveliest thing to read Jennie.
I’m so glad! Thank you, FR.
It just keeps getting better and better!!
Milly was such a wondeful lady. Even during illness and dialysis nothing stopped her!
Best wishes, Pete.
She really was. Her sense of humor and outlook on life was fabulous. Best to you, Pete.
this just keeps getting better and better, like a wonderful dream
What a lovely thing to say! Thank you, Beth.
Those quilts are Milly’s legacy. She will never be forgotten.
I feel the same way! I sent all of this to her granddaughters. You’ll meet them in Part 10. Thank you, Pam!
Such beautiful and lasting memories you, Millie and the children have created Jennie. I can’t wait for the finale!
Thank you so much, Kim. The finale is a bit longer with much that happened.
How can it be that each new installment is even better than the last?!
Awww… thank you, Liz. The finale is even more so. Hang on! Oh, there’s an epilogue, too.
You’re welcome, Jennie. I look forward to the finale–and the epilogue, too! I think I’ve mentioned this before, but reading about what you’re doing with the children gives me hope for a better world.
Thank you so much, Liz! If I can bring hope into the world, that’s as good as it gets. The finale is a bit long, but jam-packed. A tissue alert might be in order. Thursday! I never get tired of reading this. Never.
You’re most welcome, Jennie! I look forward to the finale tomorrow. (I have a box of tissues by my desk.)
😀
Between you and Millie and Gloria, you’ve got me wishing I could go back to Kindergarten and be in your class.
That is so nice, Anneli. Thank you! I wish you could be in my class, too!
Reblogged this on Simplify things.
Thank you!
More smiles, Jennie.
Thank you so much, John.
Keep passing the peace… You are all wonderful!
Thank you so much, Bette. I will! 🥰
💞
This is an amazing story, Jennie. Total smiles.
I’m glad you had total smiles! Thank you, Dan.
If someone hasn’t already said this, Jennie, this entire story should be published. Such a fabulous tale of a special lady. What a legacy to have left behind!
You’re the third person to say this, Pete. Thank you! I do love the story. It was a pleasure for me to reread it again, and Milly certainly left a great legacy. Hang on for Part 10!!
Ok, so I back peering round the curtain, worrying away at the next instalment….!
The next installment is a biggie. Hold that curtain tight. 🙂
This is so uplifting. Thank you, Jenny (and Milly and your students!) ♥.
Thank you, Nikki!
My pleasure! ♥.
What a great story. I am tuned in for Part 10!
Thank you, Jacqui. It’s quite an episode!
I can’t wait to find out what happens to the quilt next!
It’s coming soon… a bit long, and very full. Tissue alert. Thank you, Deborah. 🥰
I love this story, Jennie. I think I may have missed this episode first time round so I’m pleased to have caught up now.
I’m glad, too. Honestly, the next one you won’t want to miss. Thursday.
I’ll see how I go. They’re always in my inbox until I read them, however tardy I may be. 🙂
Tardy is my middle name. 🙂
You always appear to be on top of things to me. 🙂
Thanks, Norah. I wish I were. 🙂
That’s a feeling I recognise.
🙂
I love how Milly and the children are able to take those ideas and turn them into such a beautiful quilt. It must make your heart happy to see that quilt hanging at the school everytime you pass it. I am sorry to hear that Milly had some health issues, but thrilled that the children and their ideas encouraged her to continue with her quilting endeavours. Can’t wait to see what comes next.
Yes, it does make my heart happy! Thank you, Carla. You will enjoy part 10. 🙂
It was a brilliant idea to have the children and their families looking at the whole peace scene, Jennie. A lovely quilt.
I thought so, too. I remember the moment she and my assistant teacher came to that idea. Thank you, Robbie.