By Char Ross
In 2005, I was going through chemotherapy diagnosed with Stage 4 Cirrhosis of the liver. I was scared to death. During that time, I struggled with my treatment, to say the least. I was losing weight, experiencing awful side effects, just absolutely exhausted. My sister-in-law Sandy came to me with a surprise gift. She made this quilt herself and handed it to me and said, “Whenever you feel down and sad and feel like giving up, wrap this quilt around yourself and it’ll be like me giving you a hug". It was such a special gift that I have always cherished.
Fast forward to 2020: Sandy was diagnosed with ALS a few years prior. It is a horrifying disease. She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t eat. She couldn’t swallow. She always choked on her saliva so constantly had to suction. She always had to sit up to avoid choking. As each day passed, it became more and more difficult for her. She lived with her boyfriend who worked full time. I drove to her about 45 minutes away one day each week to care for her. It came to a point that I told my husband that I wanted her to live with us. I wanted to be her 24 hour caregiver. I wanted her to have company always so she was never scared and alone. So we moved her in with us that Summer. I cared for her. I fed her through a tube, I bathed her, I groomed her. We laughed together, I did everything I could to make her life feel meaningful. She was so happy. One day we bought her a new special bed because she couldn’t ever lie on her back so it had to function upright. Upon testing it out, I brought in a gift. Immediate tears came to her eyes. I handed her this quilt folded nice and neat and I said to her, “Whenever you feel down and sad and feel like giving up, wrap this quilt around yourself and it’ll be like me giving you a hug.” It was an incredibly emotional moment for the both of us.
On August 1, 2020, I watched as my sweet sister Sandy took her last breath. I love her with all my heart and this special quilt will always mean LOVE to me.
In 2005, I was going through chemotherapy diagnosed with Stage 4 Cirrhosis of the liver. I was scared to death. During that time, I struggled with my treatment, to say the least. I was losing weight, experiencing awful side effects, just absolutely exhausted. My sister-in-law Sandy came to me with a surprise gift. She made this quilt herself and handed it to me and said, “Whenever you feel down and sad and feel like giving up, wrap this quilt around yourself and it’ll be like me giving you a hug". It was such a special gift that I have always cherished.
Fast forward to 2020: Sandy was diagnosed with ALS a few years prior. It is a horrifying disease. She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t eat. She couldn’t swallow. She always choked on her saliva so constantly had to suction. She always had to sit up to avoid choking. As each day passed, it became more and more difficult for her. She lived with her boyfriend who worked full time. I drove to her about 45 minutes away one day each week to care for her. It came to a point that I told my husband that I wanted her to live with us. I wanted to be her 24 hour caregiver. I wanted her to have company always so she was never scared and alone. So we moved her in with us that Summer. I cared for her. I fed her through a tube, I bathed her, I groomed her. We laughed together, I did everything I could to make her life feel meaningful. She was so happy. One day we bought her a new special bed because she couldn’t ever lie on her back so it had to function upright. Upon testing it out, I brought in a gift. Immediate tears came to her eyes. I handed her this quilt folded nice and neat and I said to her, “Whenever you feel down and sad and feel like giving up, wrap this quilt around yourself and it’ll be like me giving you a hug.” It was an incredibly emotional moment for the both of us.
On August 1, 2020, I watched as my sweet sister Sandy took her last breath. I love her with all my heart and this special quilt will always mean LOVE to me.
Char Ross is a designer with a heart. She hosts an Instagram account featuring home decor, vintage, and amazing styled photographs. You can follow her on instagram by clicking here.