I write this journey backwards in time, as it tells a better story.
Juliet, fourteen years later.
Juliet noticed everything. She loved to draw, and her pictures were detailed and beautiful. Little did I know she had paid attention to our Starry Night poster in the classroom. I always had art hanging, and Starry Night was a mainstay. Where would we be without art?
When she went to MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) in New York, she saw her beloved Starry Night. Her mom took this photo for me.
When Juliet was in sixth grade, the assignment was to paint one of the famous works of art. Yes, she painted Starry Night. Wow!
There is more – much more – that all started before Starry Night.
It happened like this…
After visiting the Bennington Museum in Vermont and seeing their display of Haitian quilts, I was thunderstruck. We had just created a Peace Portal in the classroom, yet I could tell the children needed and wanted more. I knew we could create a Peace Quilt.
It began with Juliet’s mom sketching out children’s ideas.
Juliet was eager to decorate the big drawing.
Ta-Dah!
When the quilt was finished, I compiled all the photos into a book.
Fast forward….
Juliet and her mom and sister visited. It had been a long time since I had seen them. Juliet’s mom had just repainted her Peace Dove in the parking lot.
After all the hugs and smiles (which took forever), I talked about the Peace Quilt. We reminisced about making the drawing. I pulled out the Creating a Peace Quilt book and read it aloud. It was a walk down memory lane.
And then, the best. I had saved that original drawing of the Peace Quilt. I gave it to Janine, Juliet’s mom. She was overcome.
The quilt hangs as a permanent display at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia. Milly was the quilter who took the drawing and children’s ideas and made the quilt.
Juliet drew a picture of the quilt for Milly. Every triangle along the border was in the exact color. Her drawing was the greatest treasure Milly received.
Jennie
P.S. Milly made more quilts with the children, and they hang in places of prominence. I have written many blog posts on Milly.
A Teacher's Reflections 
Lovely seeing how everything and everyone grows 🙂
Same! So cool!
Thanks, Sarah!
Thank you, FR!
I have such happy feelings reading this!
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Posts like this make us all smile, Jennie!!
I’m so glad! Thanks, GP.
How wonderful to be able to reflect on this journey, Jennie.
It was, Dan. Thank you.
How very special. Isn’t it wonderful to see this little girl grow up to be such a lovely young woman? Your influence spans the years. How proud her mom must be to have been the artist who drew the picture for the peace quilt. I love this post!!
It was very special, Darlene. Thank you! Her mom was proud, and shocked that I had saved the drawing for all those years. Giving it to her was the best!
I like that you don’t throw things away. That you know one day the item will find the right home.
I love purging, but not when it comes to my school treasures. 🙂
Wonderful and beautiful pictures on peace and so nice to see the children painting. Awesome post Jennie 😊
Thank you, Kamal.
Welcome Jennie 😊
A great story about Juliet, and such fond memories of Milly too.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Pete. Yes, wonderful memories. I miss Milly…
What a wonderful, and beautiful journey you’ve all had and all through art! Millie must be smiling in heaven.
Yes, it truly has been, and I feel very lucky. Milly certainly must be smiling in heaven. I think of Wilbur’s words about Charlotte, “Charlotte was in a class by herself.” Milly was, too. ❤️
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This was heartwarming to read on an early Monday morning. Such a beautiful girl with a mom that supports their artistic endeavors. You have a magic touch with those children and I’d bet you have a profound effect on many of the parents too. You are creating art through those children. My guess is Juliet will end up an artist somehow in her adult life.
I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this, Marlene! Thank you for your very kind words. Yes, Juliet is on her way as an artist. She painted a hallway mural in her high school that is incredible. I can’t believed I saved that drawing all these years. Giving it to Juliet’s mom was just wonderful!
Wow! That’s just wonderful. The world needs more art.
I knew you would feel the same way! 🥰
That reproduction is amazing from a 6th grade hand. I hope she sticks with her art.
Yes, I was blown away! 6th grade. She is sticking with her art, and painted a hallway mural in her high school that is incredible.
A very special day for you!
Yes, it was. Juliet and her mother felt the same way, too. Thank you, Liz!
You’re welcome, Jennie!
A fabulous post, Jennie. I love how the circle continues.
Thank you, John. That circle continues, and her art is already over the top. I hope van Gogh is smiling in heaven.
I’m sure he is.
Me, too!
So incredibly moving Jennie.
Thank you, Cindy!
Full circle with perks! I especially appreciate you crediting the ‘artist-mom’ who also was/is Juliet’s mom.
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You always have a wonderful way with words, Laura. Yes, it is full circle. Mom and daughter both had so much to give, and the art unfolded and bloomed like a flower. Many thanks!
what priceless gifts you shared and continue to share with each other
Thank you, Beth. You do the same thing, and know how priceless it is.
Ooh, this is a classic Jennie story. You’ve shared much about Millie before, and I think we’ve seen the photo of Juliet before Starry Night before. It sure looks familiar. How great that Juliet’s mom painted the peace dove. What a beautiful symbol!
It is a classic, and a story finally pulling in all those bits and pieces. I’ve written about Juliet and Starry Night, and Milly, and the Peace Quilt, and the Peace Dove, but never connected all the dots. Besides the wonderful memories, the best part was giving the mom the sketch she had done so many years ago. Thank you, Pete!
Tears prick the corner of my eyes Jennie as I remember Milly’s quilting skills .. Who is still a treasure I am sure in many hearts.. How wonderful you kept the original drawing to be past on and treasured by Juliet. Another treasure in the world…
We cannot have enough Art.. Or Peace in our world.. or treasures.. And you can add yourself to that list also..
Much love dear Jennie… ❤ xxx ❤
That is very kind of you to say. Many thanks, Sue! Art and Peace and Love are a wonderful trio. ❤️
A brilliant Trio xx
Yes!
Beautiful story! Thanks for sharing it
Thank you!
A stone of hope was thrown, Jennie, and you’re still seeing the ripples it made. How lovely is that?
I think that’s as lovely as it gets. Thank you, Mitch.
Hi Jennie, thank you for this wonderful post!
I remember Juliet’s Starry Night painting from another post. So fun to see her all grown up and to hear the story about how the Peace Quilt came to be. Great post, Jennie.
There were many pieces to connect here. Yes, Starry Night was one thing, and there was the Peace Quilt, and her mom’s drawings. It is a wonderful evolution. She is so grown up! Thank you, Diana.
🙂
Love the stories about the peace quilt.
I’m so glad you do. Thank you, Don.
What a truly splendid, heartwarming post, Jennie. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Hugs.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Teagan. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. 💕
What a wonderful walk down memory land, Jennie. It is wonderful that you made such a difference in so many lives that they still come back to see you so many years later.
Thank you, Carla. It really is wonderful. I guess that’s why I teach. 💕
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What a talented artist Juliet is, and what a wonderful quilt! Great post, Jennie.
Thanks so much! She is very talented. It’s wonderful that she was part of Milly’s first quilt.
What a beautiful young lady she’s grown into, Jennie. Such an artistic family.
Yes, she is beautiful, inside and out. I’m so glad that art has been part of the family.
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