Mom created and gifted so many things. Everything from large, beautiful quilts representing months of work, to smaller items she knew would make life easier or more beautiful. Our master bedroom is made brighter and warmer by this falling leaves quilt she gave me years ago. When it arrived, she phoned me and emphasized that it should not be left on a shelf as a "work of art", but that she wanted us to use it, enjoy it, and if washing was needed. to go ahead and wash it. As you can see, it has been well loved--it has been on our bed for years. It is hand quilted in patterns that make the veins of the leaves. One day I will take a less-tattered part of it and put in a frame. But not yet! This is the wedding quilt that Mom made for Jay and I in 1982. She asked our relatives to each donate a quilt square, and she pieced and hand quilted it. These two quilts Mom created when we adopted Katie in 2004. Well-wishers (which included family as well as others who were...