Blue Ribbon, Swollen Head

Congratulations Polly, to you and your student! The boost to her self esteem is worth far more than the ribbon! She is lucky to have you for a friend.

Marilyn in (it's snowing!) Alberta, Canada

How wonderful. Tell her congratulations from Ohio. Gen

Until I met her, I had never realized what an obstacle in life it would be to grow up in a negative family. If someone tells you that you are stupid and lazy day after day, you believe them. I was blessed with parents and teachers who believed I could do anything. I could. Got away with most of it. =) Polly

What a lucky student! To be mentored by our wonderful Polly is a gift many of us would like to have. Congratulations to the student AND the teacher.

Your neighbor is fortunate to have found someone like you. I wonder if your neighbor's family could be related to my mother. That sounds like some of the things I heard growing up. You deserve to have a big head. Keep up the good work. You never know how much you are helping a person when you take an interest in them.

Sherry Starr

I would modestly blush, Kathyl, but I'm still giddy with happy. We can not mentor everybody that needs a lift but sometimes we can make a difference with one. Ah. Happy Day. Yesssssssss! Polly

"KJ" < wrote > What a lucky student! To be mentored by our wonderful Polly is a gift many

That's the kind of story I LOVE to read. Congrats to you and your neighbor.

Polly, what a wonderful treasure she found in you! I don't suppose her family feels foolish, but..... I bet she went to sleep with a smile on her face, and will walk with a wee bit of a spring in her step. Congratulations to her, AND to you. How marvelous!

Patti in Seattle

That is truly wonderful Polly. We often joke about 'enabling' here, and this is the most wonderful example of enabling someone to turn around, completely, the way they can live their life. I'm so glad for your student - she will never forget this occasion - and deeply happy for you. Please pass on my congratulations to your neighbour. She has been through a lot and *achieved*. . In message , Polly Esther writes

Its a wonderful thing to turn someone's life round - congratulations. Makes me feel quite shakey - I know just how she feels.

Many congratulations to your neighbour - now you can tell her that her moment of glory has spread world-wide!

Sally at the Seaside~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~uk

Polly Esther wrote:

Polly, what a special gal you are. Your neighbor is soooo lucky to have you!! This is certainly going to be a life changing event for her, with new confidence and self-esteem she'll hopefully show her family the what-for!

My heartfelt congratulations to you BOTH on this sweet victory!

-Irene

The cool part is that you've given her SO much more than the ability to make a quilt. Making a difference isn't something that happens every day to most people, but I suspect it's something that happens to you more often than you even realize. I'm glad to know you even if it's just in this forum.

Oh, Polly, that is great!!! I'll be right over with my chain saw to enlarge your doorways so you can move about freely!!!!

In all seriousness, this is so important, you have really helped her learn more about herself and empowered her to do more for herself. Maybe she will stop listening to her "family" so much. They can be so detrimental to a persons spirit.

You maybe didn't get the blue ribbon personally but you definitely got the Quiltership "Gold Star" Award. I know, I know, Quiltership isn't really a word yet!!! But it should be.

Quiltership - One who learns, shares and enjoys the art of quilt making with others.

Good job!!!

Piece,

Marsha in nw, Ohio

Thank you. Thank you all for your kind words. What a special joy it is to have this warm and wonderful group to celebrate with me. I really just must go pay bills. How in the world am I going to squeeze my swelled head into the living room where the bills are? Nevermind. If I kill myself trying to get down from my pedestal, please put on my tombstone, "She had a wonderful time". Polly

Congratulations to you and your lucky student!!

I'm so glad she has a neighbor like you Polly. Good job to both of you. Great story. Many of us here have been quilting for years without any ribbons, much less blue.

Taria

Polly Esther wrote:

Dear Polly,

Thank you. As one who has struggled to overcome the indoctrination of a family who sounds like your neighbor's, I can appreciate what you have done. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are a great quilter and obviously an amazing teacher. But more importantly, you are a good friend. Blessings to you and your neighbor.

Hugs, Sunny

Polly that is wonderful. Thank you. You are doing wonderful things there in the swamp.

Pati, in Phx

Polly Esther wrote: