A Book of Love and Support

Last September, our neighbor gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. During her labor, she suffered a stroke. In the months that followed, her family kept everyone updated on CaringBridge. She is home now, working hard to get better. Recently, her amazing friends and work colleagues threw a fundraiser that drew more than 400 people. An auction raised money for special equipment and the physical therapists who give her daily care at home. The baby is thriving! Mommy and baby were the guests of honor at the fundraiser. My husband donated one of his handcrafted mirrors to the auction, and I made (what else) a book, from the posts and messages of support and love. I copied and printed everything from September to May, including the comments, and bound them using fabric with an elephant pattern--symbolizing the "herd" of friends who have given so much love and support these past months. I gave one copy of the book to our neighbor and her husband. The second copy found its perfect home with the husband's parents, who had basically moved in with them to care for baby and daughter-in-law.

I backed the fabric with iron-on tissue to make bookcloth. The photos all come from the blog, and are displayed at the end of the text block in mylar page protectors. (Note: the book is 8-1/2"x11". That top page showing is a "waste sheet" to protect the text block.)

This precious photo is the final image.

I told the husband, "You all wrote a book!" The posts were beautifully-written, clear about the medical challenges, but filled with hope. And the comments kept flooding in. Now everything is together in a physical book--I called it Book 1. One day our neighbor's daughter will read about her mom's journey and see all the people who were cheering and praying for her and her family.

The clamshell boxes will preserve and protect the books as family keepsakes.