My dear friend Brooke had a sweet baby boy last week. She had this beautiful new baby on the birthday of her other son Benson, who would have been two that day.
Brooke’s family woke up a little over five months ago to find that their sweet 19 month old baby boy had passed away in his sleep. It has been an extremely challenging trial for their family. It is so very heartbreaking.
Brooke and I were really just acquaintances before this tragedy, but she has since become a very good friend–one that I am extremely thankful for. I love her and her family so very much. I ache to take away their pain and suffering, but it is impossible to do. So I try and help however I can, try and listen to whatever it is that God would have me do for them.
A couple weeks before she had her baby Brooke posted this scripture on Facebook and I instantly knew that I wanted to make a baby quilt while still acknowledging the pain she was going through. I know it’s small and cannot take away the pain, but I hope that it somehow provides some comfort for her as she holds this new baby in her arms and longs for the baby she can’t hold. For her, this new baby brings a lot of joy but she also misses her Benson so very much. She always will.
The quilt details–all I did was use twelve 10″ squares of white and twelve 10″ squares of different patterned fabric (which includes Robert Kaufman, Alexander Henry, Riley Blake, Hobby Lobby, etc). Check out THIS tutorial for making four half square triangles at once. It’s such an easy and quick way to do them. Then arrange the triangles however you think look good! I didn’t have enough of just one fabric for the binding so I used two different fabrics.
Brooke started a really cute Facebook page called Benson’s Buddies. The idea is to keep Benson’s memory alive by helping others smile–by hiding stuffed animals or other toys that could be considered a “buddy” wherever you want, with a tag included explaining a little about Benson, and how the toy is to keep. Then the person who finds the buddy can post a picture on Facebook of their found buddy and keep the act of kindness going if they wanted to. I know Brooke has expressed often how much she appreciates people knowing about or remembering her sweet Benson. My kids have LOVED hiding Benson Buddies all over–they think it’s really fun while on vacation :). All the details can be found on the Facebook page along with printable tags and instructions.
Thank you for stopping by!
This brought tears to my eyes. I lost my husband 2 and 1/2 years ago, and although this was not the loss of a baby, it was still a loss. You are a good friend to make this keepsake quilt for her. I am sure she will cherish it always. Moms are like that, sometimes even a small scrap of ribbon has meaning, or a pictured that was colored outside the lines. We feel deeply, we love forever, no matter how short the time we held our loved one. God Bless us all.
Susanne ♥
Oh Susanne, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. Another dear friend of mine lost her husband just 3 weeks after Brooke lost her Benson. It sure opens your eyes to what is most important. My heart aches for them, for the sadness and indescribable pain. I pray you will feel peace while you mourn your enormous loss.
Christie, this is so sweet and thoughtful! You are such a wonderful friend, I’ve seen you support her and others in so many ways. What a great quilt! I hope this little boy sees the miracle of coming to the world on such an important day!
Thank you so much Melanie!
So beautiful, Christie. One thing I’ve always loved about your blog, is how much *you* there is in it. I admire and love your sincerity and just how genuinely good you are.
So sweet, Sabra. Thank you friend!