November 20, 2021
Stats:
Cases reported: 41,493
Deaths reported: 322
Size of block: 14.5” x 14.5”
Stitched by: Tess
Location: MO
From Tess:
My stitching story:
In early 2021 my mother died of breast cancer, and because of COVID I wasn't able to spend much time with her in the months prior. COVID also made the funeral even more stressful than it would have been during "normal" times. I remember worrying that I was going to get a loved one sick because of being in a large funeral gathering.
The date of my block, November 20, 2021 happens to be the day I held my newborn granddaughter, Aurora for the first time. She was born on the 19th, but because of COVID visitors were very limited at hospitals. With her round cheeks and barely any hair it was said that she resembled a cute tiny hippo, so that's how I represented her in the design. Little did I know that Aurora would be with us for such a short time. She died in early March of 2022, and my heart has been a bit broken ever since. She's always in my thoughts so I made her the center of my design. The rest of the hearts represent the other grandchildren I had at the time (we have been lucky enough to have a couple more since). Because of COVID we were unable to spend time with family for so long, and I missed part of their childhood.
In the summer of 2022, I came across Stitching the Situation on Instagram. I decided to join the project as something to focus on. I find it calming to do something with my hands, and during that time of early grief for Aurora, it seemed like a good project. I was very surprised when my block came with a date that was so significant to me. I have spent many hours stitching it while remembering a sweet baby girl, wishing I could have watched her grow up, and imagining what she would look like now. I often think about her when I see new places or try new things that I'm doing them for Aurora too because she didn't get to grow up and live a long life. Now she is part of the Stitching the Situation project, and her name will be connected to many other stories.
Thank you, Tess, for honoring sweet Aurora as part of this project. Our hearts are with you and your family.
Sweet Aurora
