Made lovingly.

Crafted thoughtfully.

Colors and design chosen to suit how we planned to decorate.

Hummingbirds embroidered to honor my wedding, and my grandfather.

The state stitched in.

Given as a wedding gift with the words…

“Do not hang or display this. I made it to be used.”

Over sixteen years later we have done as it was wished by my mother when she gave this to us for our wedding.

It has been used well.

Sat on, snuggled under, covered the back of the couch, used to cover the floor for sleepover movie nights, to build forts during sleepovers, laid on the end of our bed, slept on…

Used and loved.

It shows the wear of the years.

The handling.

The care.

Fabric has torn.

Batting lost.

Holes.

Tears.

Patches where no fabric remains.

A hummingbird flapping loose as if to fly away.

Today we removed it from where it’s sat most recently, on my husband’s recliner.

So that we might continue to hold onto this piece that has been part of the fabric of our lives for 16+ years.

Before it falls to shambles.

Because though we have done as asked, and used it well…I want to honor the gift for what it was and is…and the memories it symbolizes.

I’m sure it will still see use, but it will be with care to keep it alive for as long as we can.