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08/18/2005
I really love the Internets™
You know, it shouldn't surprise me, especially considering the staggering generosity you all showed me upon Charlie's birth, but it does: I am surprised, excited, and moved by your outpouring of support for Rebekah, her sister, and soon-to-be-born Emily Lynne. What kindness. What beautiful kindness.
Thanks to the good offices of Jenn, Rebekah now has a blog where you can learn her sister's story, follow her progress, and find out how to help if you'd like to.
I would like to help. Even months after the fact, I get teary and wobble-jawed thinking of how much it meant to me when you all reached out after Charlie's birth. I wish I could return such a magnificent favor to each and every one of you. Instead, I'll pass along those good feelings — the humbling knowledge that even virtual strangers can care, and care deeply — in the form of a quilt.
I've started work on a quilt to be given away in a random drawing, with the proceeds to be donated to Emily Lynne. It won't be gigantic and it won't be elaborate, but for a measly $5.00 — one shot of wheatgrass juice, or 7.5 IUs of Gonal-F, or three-tenths of a First Response home pregnancy test, or a small flask of vodka bearing a poor likeness of Stalin's chiseled profile — you can have the chance to win it.
You can read the details, view some samples of my work, or send me e-mail if you have questions about this project.
I am uneasily aware that there are those who feel left out when the blogging world turns to embrace any one person in particular. We all deserve each other's love and support, after all, the celebration when things go well, the sadness and sympathy when they don't. Why should any of us be singled out?
I don't have a good answer for that. I can only tell you why Rebekah's sister's story speaks to me. My circumstances were different, but I also knew the panic of an early birth and the disappointment and regret of not having a proper nest for Charlie. Your astonishing generosity relieved me of that, allowing me to concentrate on bringing him home, settling in, and starting to heal.
When I learn of a way I can help another family through it like you helped me, I hope I'll always do so.
Update: Egad, that happened fast! $500 raised, just like that! You, friends, are amazing.
I didn't realize DropCash wouldn't allow people to contribute after the goal had been reached, so I'm setting up a new campaign in case others would still like to enter.
Comments (50)
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We're first! We're first! Commenting AND raffling! (unless the lame-ass processor on my PC slows the submission down so much that we're not).
Anyway, what a wonderful idea, Julie! You rawk, duuude.
I am blown away by the response of so many loving and generous people out there on the Internet. It is truely humbling. Thank you thank you thank you a thousand times Julie and the rest of the Internet World for all of the support, kindness and love that you have shown to my family.
I am without words.
I've been reading for a long time, but have only commented/participated once or twice. This story has drawn me out of the woodwork, and reactivated my 2-year dormant Paypal account. Thanks for doing this.
Julie,
You really do make beautiful quilts...
I must say that I'm truly and honestly amazed and in awe by how wonderful people really are. Rebekah, I truly hope that everything turns out okay for your sister...
God Bless
Julie - help. I've tried 4 times to complete a credit card transaction on there and each time it told me it timed out. (there's no way, I was speed demon typing) :) I'm trying to buy 5 chances here!!
What a great idea to raise some money for little Emily. I was just going to contribute some money, but I will contribute to the raffle instead just for the chance to win a quilt for my own baby. I am a quilter and am way too excited to learn that you are too. Unfortunately all my quilting has had to be put on hold b/c I have sciatica and sitting in the sewing chair for extended lengths of time just about causes me to faint. Fun times!
It is so great to see so many people reaching out to this woman.
I really love the internet too. You rock Julie :)
Talk about a win-win! Julie, as usual, you have impeccable timing and a great idea here. Good job woman! And, no, I'm not sucking up so that you choose my ticket...
julie, very very long time lurker. have read you for almost the entire journey. when I heard you were coming to boston I caught my breath! Julie! mother of charlie! here in Boston! where I am! oMG! it is like someone said a rock star was coming.
have a great weekend and know that when you are strolling through the Commons that some one is watching for you and wishing you peace and happiness and joy, thanking you for sharing your jounrney. Am still on mine but I'll get there.
Julie, this is like "pay it forward". Instead of repaying for an act of kindness, pass it on to others who need it.... the rule that I actually enjoy living by.
I am so excited about this project you are starting here. I can't WAIT to see how everyone pulls together!!!! (picture my fat butt bouncing up and down in my chair with happy anxiety!) You are a freakin' GENIOUS for thinking this up!
Off to buy a chance... or two. ;)
Tertia is going to be SO jealous of your tracking bar - that should make you quite happy.
Also, I'm so psyched that I have a chance at one of your quilts - because the whole ingratiate myself to you & then have a baby plan is SO flawed....
I better win that quilt. Or else I will stalk you, hunt you down and MAKE you tell me that I rock and you suck. Alternatively I will force you to make a quilt for me.
Thanks for doing this J. YOU rock! Yes you do.
Hi-
I just wanted to say hi. I read your blog almost daily, and I love it :) I came across it when I got pregnant last august, so it has been a year now and I never have posted a comment! I think it is so great that you and all these kind people are going to help this woman. There is still good in this world.
Eeeeeek, when I click the link to donate I get an error message. Should I just paypal the money to the address you gave and indicate in the comments what it's for?
never mind, I just tried again and it worked!
My gawd woman, those quilts are fantastic!
How did all of these fabulous women get into my computer?
Julie, the quilt is such a good idea. I would make something to raffle as well but, alas, have no marketable skills.
Julie! You collected that $500 without so much as a sweat! Well done generous souls! ...I don't want to miss out!Is it OK to keep sending money for the raffle & Rebekah's cause? I am sure it is but a few people (me included) seem to be having problems setting up PayPal accounts?
What a great idea. And also, hot damn, there are some good people out there.
You're not just helping Emily -- it can really cheer a person up to do something good. I for one needed this! Not to mention having a shot at a quilt made by our own rock star.
Thanks for setting up the second round. I just got here and would have been left out had you not set it up again.
I also didn't get a chance to reply about Boston. May I suggest "The Kendal"-- cute little hotel (remodeled from a firehouse) right by the Kendal T stop and MIT. You can hop the red line downtown for shopping and such. Or you can hop it in the opposite direction to Harvard for much the same activities. And the place is half a block from my office... So if you would let me take you out to coffee, breakfast, or lunch, I would love to...
Enjoy Boston!
Julie--have you made a quilt yet for Charlie? I would so love to see a picture of him cuddling in one of your awesome quilts!
Oh, and you rock!
Hi Julie, I've just finished reading about your journey to motherhood (and beyond)! First, you have one gorgeous baby boy and an amazing gift for writing! Second, I have to say that it is fate that I win that quilt - my name is also Emily Lynn (off by just an "e")!
I'm in. Any chance we can set up a fund to have someone kick this guy's ass?!
De-lurking to say: Your quilts are amazingly beautiful, Julie, but I'd REALLY like to pay into Stephanie's fund! If ever anyone needed an ass kicking . . .
I want to help! I want to help! You are a great organizer, Julie. Nice quilts, too. Hey, would you be willing to make a small quilt out of favorite baby clothes for a fee?
Whoa, holy crap! I went to bed last night and you had about $90 raised. Now I wake up this morning and not only did you make all $500, but you're halfway through a second round?? Geez, living on Hawaiian time makes me miss all the fun. :)
Stupid me left my purse in the car last night, so I used Mark's credit card instead hee hee. So the one from Mark "crazy-ass last name that starts with a B" is actually from me. Lovely idea Julie, just lovely.
I'm so happy I was able to get in on round 2! What a wonderful idea, Julie! I'm a long time lurker who just loves your blog and thinks Charlie is the one of the cutest rolie-polie babies I've ever seen! :) I'm so happy that I got to use my hubbie's Paypal account (which I usually reserve for eBay) for something worthwhile.
What a great idea! Your quilts are so, so gorgeous. Especially the one for "T," the spy quilt. Breathtaking.
Julie,
what beautiful quilts you make. I haven't seen one for Charlie yet? are you working on a batman theme?
I'm delurking to say thank you Julie for putting this together. Your quilts rock - and so does your blog.
I would like to order a quilt wrapped around a Dana, please.
From one quilter to another, I am so excited about this project. Nothing says "home, safety, warmth and love" like a quilt...what a perfect symbol for what we are all doing. Bravo for thinking of such a great idea! I can't wait to go bid.
Linda
Julie - please help. I keep trying and darn it, I want a chance at that quilt. It keeps telling me my payment session has timed out. Something is wrong?!?
Anyway, I was going to buy 5 chances, now down to the remaining balance of $15.15 which I would gladly donate, if only it would let me.
I can't believe you are $15 away from maxing out the SECOND dropcash in only TWO DAYS!!! Okay... maybe I CAN believe it... because the only people that frequent this blog regularly are beautiful, kind, giving, compassionate human beings. God, I love this place. Can I live here?
You people ROCK! You know why? Because you made a difference in how a little baby girl is going to be cared for in the beginning of her life. That is priceless.
Oh, and have you been by the Amazon registry??? Everyone bought just about all of it! There's only like three things left!!!
I think you folks may have restored my faith in the Human Race.
I'm so happy you set upthis account here, the one at Rebekah's refuses to work for me. My Paypal was glad to see some action again and frankly, this is even better than book-buying!
You are right the net is a amazing place, with some of the most generous people. It's amazing and heart warming to see. I donate to lots of drives a buck here a buck there, I dont have much but I try..
and yes I hate to admit I get that jealous streak every once in awhile and think why couldn't someone understand my plight and help me out..
but thats not what any of these drives are about.
I dont begrudge the recipeints of these drives. They deserve the love.
I believe that for every kind act you do, one will be returned to you. So I keep giving. It all comes home in the end.
Thanks for being one of the generous people.
Your sushi quilt makes me want to learn how to quilt...
The quilts are amazing, but even more so is the community that has sprung up to support each other in times of need. What a wonderful Internet.
julie... the barbie quilt you made is soo adorable!! my four year old daughter isabella is very into barbie these days!! do you sell these quilts? i would love to purchase one.. could you email me? thanks... gina
Help...I want to donate/buy a chance in the quilt campaign but it says the goal has been reached.
Just two nights ago I had bonafide sushi IN JAPAN for the first time since having my boy seven months ago. And so that quilt, with the sushi, I covet it. And the I SPY quilt. While I sat here flipping through your handsome portfolio I thought perhaps I could be a quilter. New hobby in the making. Thanks for that and all that you're doing for your internet friends. You impress me all over.
I can't wait to see the details of the next campaign. When I read what you're trying to do and saw the beautiful quilts you've made, I so wanted to contribute!
I can't imagine being in such a horrible position. I am blessed that little miracle won't be faced with such circumstances!
Got to know of your blog in the August issue of RD.
Really touched after reading the article "Falling Pregnant".
Both you and Tertia really impressed me with your perseverance and strength.
My wife is about 6 weeks pregnant and we've just had our 1st appointment with her Gynaecologist.
I started a blog and i'm putting up a link to yours, if you don't mind. (:
Wow. I'm absolutely amazed. By your generosity as well as the beauty of the quilts you make. That campaign is a great idea. If Europeans can enter too, I'll be in. :o)
You are so sweet and generous.
So, I was beginning to suspect that due to the lack of updated posts here and at "So Close", that Julie and Tertia had run away together.
Tertia has since been located and was only absent due to a lack of internet access.
Could it be that Julie is slaving over her sewing machine producing a rockin' quilt for me... oh... ahem... er, I mean, the yet-to-be-announced raffle winner???
Julie... come out of your sewing room, dear. I'm sure the winner won't mind waiting a little while for their quilt in return for a good post or two. ;)
PS - Paul... at least bring her some healthy snacks and a pot of coffee. Okay?
cool website
very entertaining and informative at the same time; wonderful balance
i want the information about all the treatment of IUI.