At any given moment my bed will be covered by a number of different blankets. Each one tells a story.

• The ratty blue quilt that’s barely holding together, the one we take on picnics and to the beach was made for my by my wife. It’s the only full sized quilt she’s ever made and she made it for me. This quilt has been to two foreign countries (Texas and Portugal) and its been a mainstay since she gave it to me after I graduated from high school and before I left her for two long years. I love this blanket ’cause it reminds me of her.
• The tan quilt was made by my family and was a gift to my wife and I for our wedding (ok, the ‘gift’ was about a year or two late). It’s got stitches from my nieces, my cousins, my sisters, my mom, and maybe even a few others. I love it ’cause it represents my family and my marriage to my wife.
• We also have a giant quilt covered in awkward photos, funny quotes, and meaningful words. It was given to us by the Renovatus Church community when we waved goodbye to our six year long love affair with them in January. Each square was designed and made by a different person from that community. I love this quilt because it represents such an important part of my life that includes some of my most favorite people.
• My mom made me a small blanket that is so worn it’s barely used. It’s covered in pictures of my family and its squares are made from fabric of my childhood. I love this quilt because it reminds me of my family and my childhood.
• I have been given two quilts during my time fighting against cancer. One was made by my aunts and my grandma. It has the scent of frankincense (a scent important in the Christian story and also an important herb in fighting cancer). My sister and her whole church also made me a quilt. It was stitched on by strangers and loved ones alike and has ribbons stitched on that are associated with central nervous system cancer awareness. I love these blankets because they’re reminders that people are praying for me and my family.