Everyone is celebrating the passing from one year to the next. Drinks are being had, kisses being exchanged, memories retold, resolutions promised, and laughter abounds.
But not for everyone.
Not for a 21 year old military wife and mama to a 10 month old. No. She was not celebrating. She was not receiving her midnight kiss from her prince charming. She was not toasting the New Year.
Instead, she was living out every military wife's worst nightmare.
Pfc. Benjamin B. Tollefson, 22, of Concord, Calif., died Dec. 31 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with indirect fire in Ghazaliya. Tollefson was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
I've cried many tears for Natalie and their 10 month old Mack, but I'm sure it's a drop in the bucket compared to the tears she's shed.
New Years Eve will never be the same for this family.
Mack, I said many prayers over this quilt while making it. I prayed over the piecing, I prayed over the stitching, and I prayed for you, Mack. I prayed that God would use this quilt to bring you comfort, warmth, and love. I prayed that it would help ease the loneliness you and your mama are feeling and will be feeling in the future. I prayed that God would wrap His loving arms around you both and give you hope.
Please join me in praying for my friend Natalie during this tragic and heartbreaking time. As {former} military wife, I CAN begin to imagine what she must be feeling right now, but nothing will EVER come close to the real thing. Please please keep her and their son in your prayers.
6 comments:
Beautiful quilt and a moving post. I will definitely join you in praying for the family - I can't imagine going into a new year the way she's had to...
Mandi thank you for letting us know about this lady and her little boy, I can only imagine what's going on in their hearts and minds right now. I will definitely be praying for them, praying for peace, comfort and a new joy in Him. Your quilt is beautiful and so thoughtful, you are an amazingly gracious and caring woman Mandi! I honor that in you!!
This is a beautiful quilt, Mandi. It matches your heart in that aspect. I will definitely be praying for Natalie and Mack. Thank you for being such a giving person.
This post moved me to tears, Mandi. Has Natalie received the quilt yet? I just know she'll really appreciate it. I'm still praying for them. And I, like you, have shed many a tear for her loss.
I think Mack would use that quilt to cry into, sometimes, when he thinks of his late daddy. You're such a sweetheart for doing this, Mandi. Love ya.
Oh that's so terrible :-( That is so thoughtful that you would make this for them.
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