The story of Je t’aime does not end.  The last page asks God to “Bless us all as we live our lives to make love grow on and on and on…”   And so it does.  We recently welcomed the newest member of our family—Logan Brooke Marquardt– born to Joe and Lauren, granddaughter to Barbara (youngest of the nineteen Bober cousins) and great granddaughter to Aunt Joan (wife of Uncle Ted)

Logan is the latest baby to sleep in the bassinet that has been in the family for nearly eight decades (it was purchased for me in 1939) and the cradle that was first my son’s in 1961.  She is also the first to be wrapped in a blanket that was crocheted by my mother, aka as Cioci Estelle, and embroidered by my sister, aka as Dr. Cathie.  Both women had a profound love of children, especially babies, and knitted and crocheted hundreds of blankets and sweaters for any who were born to family or friends, or in my sister’s case, patients.

At some point Logan will learn of the rich heritage that preceded her arrival, but for now she is surrounded by the love of both present and past generations.

The Baby Blanket

A skein of yarn pure and white

Embroidered designs colorful and bright

Each stitch a kiss, each square a hug

Made to keep baby warm and snug

Created by hands that now are still, whose spirits rest in peace,

But the blessings and the love it brings live on and will never cease.