Ad Hudler - Ad Libbing

Gift of a lifetime ... literally
Saturday, June 6, 2009

My daughter graduates from high school today, summa cum laude (in both unweighted and weighted GPSs) in the International Baccalaureate program at Fort Myers High School. She's also speaking at graduation. Very, very proud of this girl who is going to Denison University to study this fall.

What to give as a graduation gift to such a great kid? Actually, I had no problems with this one. I'd been planning this present since she was age 2.

We learned early on that Haley Joy Hudler had a love of textiles. She was always stroking material fondly, and she always refused to give up her favorite dresses, coats, etc. I saw what was going on, and I started saving every important piece of fabric in her life ... all her favorite shirts and dresses, scraps of material from her favorite pieces of furniture, all her favorite shirts and robes and dresses of her mom's and dad's ... and I stowed them in a bag and schlepped that bag from state to state, house to house, as we moved around the country throughout her life.

This is what we came up with:

We gave it to her yesterday ... this lovely quilt made by Barbara Metcalfe of Naples who lives about 40 miles south of me.

Haley cried when she absorbed it ... each piece of fabric brought with it a rush of memories ... she could sit back and look at her entire life, based on the fabrics she love ... the sweater her mom wore when they snuggled, the robe her dad wore for 10 years.

We're guessing she won't take it to college with her, but it'll always be up in some closet, or on some guest bed ... and whenever she wants to feel closer to her mom and dad, long after we're gone, she can wrap herself in this quilt ... and feel our love.

Congratulations, Haley Joy!

13 Comments:

Stephanie said...: I'm at a loss for words -- also misty-eyed -- what a beautiful, special graduation gift.

Congratulations to Haley -- and to mom and dad, too for raising such an amazing young woman!; June 6, 2009 10:13 AM
Anonymous said...: I remember when you were looking for someone in SW FL who makes quilts and posted it on FB.I know you are proud of your daughter, but right about now she must be very proud of you too.
LU; June 6, 2009 10:19 AM
Val said...: What an awesome gift!

Congrats to Haley!; June 6, 2009 11:14 AM
Martha Hill said...: Congratulations to Haley and also to Mom and Dad. The quilt shows the parental dedication a child requires to be successful!; June 6, 2009 7:56 PM
Lisette said...: WOW! What a great gift. I'm speachless... and that doesn't happen often. Congratulations to Haley. ~~ LQ; June 6, 2009 9:23 PM
drew said...: Beautiful ... just beautiful -- the idea and the execution. Haley is fortunate to have the parents she does, and you are fortunate to have the child you do. She is on her way to an amazing life, and you ALL should be proud of that.; June 6, 2009 11:00 PM
Erin Weaver said...: I just read your quilt blog aloud to Bill....we loved it. The quilt idea is so "Hudlerish." Thank you for sharing your love and your family with us. Your love and commitment to your family has always bee apparent in all that you and Carol do. Congratulations to Haley! Erin Weaver; June 7, 2009 8:24 AM
Ad Hudler said...: thanks, everyone.....I'm still misty-eyed today. I will NOT BE ABLE TO FUNCTION on the day she gets married, should it ever arrive.
And wait till you see the surprise I have for her on THAT day!; June 7, 2009 9:43 AM
Papa Zook said...: Your amazing sir - as a new Dad I hope I can come to the table with such a gift some day ... wow!; June 8, 2009 9:47 AM
Monica said...: Wow, now that is indeed the gift of a lifetime. Thanks, Ad, for giving us something so cool, so huge and such an immense undertaking to live up to! Congratulations to you all!; June 8, 2009 10:26 AM
Ad Hudler said...: Thanks, everyone. If you ever want the name of the woman who designed and built the quilt...just give me a shout!
She's professional, smart and FAST!; June 8, 2009 10:30 AM
Kathy Grey said...: A late comment: amazing gift of love from parents to child, preserved tenderly over the years. And your quilter did such justice to the gift.

Congrats to all. kg; June 8, 2009 7:56 PM
geeky Heather said...: You're awesome.

That's the most beautiful fabric sample quilt I've ever seen!

Congrats to Haley!!; June 11, 2009 12:05 PM