You're Invited!

(This is a copy of the letter that we are sending to our friends and family. Please feel free to join us if you are so moved to do so.)

As many of you are aware, Brandt, Zachary, and I began the process last summer to adopt a baby girl from China. I recently ran across the tradition of the “Bai Jia Bei” or “100 Good Wishes Quilt.” To welcome and celebrate a new life, there is a tradition in some parts of Northern China, to make a Bai Jia Bei. When a baby was born, family and friends would donate to the child's mother fabric scraps from old clothing with a wish for the baby. She would make a quilt for the child from the scraps. It is said that the luck, energy and good wishes from all of the families and friends who contributed the fabric surrounds the child when she is wrapped in the quilt. The quilt is then passed down from generation to generation.

There are so many good reasons to make this quilt for our “Little Sister” (Lucy as Zachary lovingly named her), tradition being one of them. We are hoping to find many ways to keep Lucy connected to Chinese culture. Another great reason is that our daughter will someday be able to see how much she was wanted and thought about even before she came into our family. (It also helps that I have been obsessed with making quilts for the past year or so.)

I am hoping you will be able to participate in my goal to make a Bai Jei Bei. If possible, please send me a piece of fabric, at least 8”x8”, and on a separate piece of paper your good wish with your name on it. Most quilts are made with 100% cotton fabrics; however flannel, decorator fabrics (tightly woven), silks, or pieces of old clothes are all good choices. Fabrics that stretch, such as T-shirt cottons, are very difficult to work with and I ask that you avoid these. I am hoping you will be able to find a piece of fabric in your craft supplies, old decorating projects, or among old clothes you no longer wear. Please do not go to a lot of trouble. If you do not have a piece of fabric suitable, just send back your good wish (es). I would really love it if those of you who are in possession of belongings of people who are no longer with us, would send us some reminder of that person. I want to be able to tell Lucy about all of the people she missed. More than one wish or square from a family would be great too, and especially sweet would be a wish from other children. Our plan is to show Lucy how much she was loved and cared for before she came into our family.

Please do not forget to add your good wishes for each square. The wish may be a prayer, poem, quote, or just wishes from your heart to Lucy. Some good wish examples (silly is okay):

May you have an abundance of hugs and kisses.

May you pass your driver’s test on the first try.

May your big brother always watch out after you.

The good wishes will be incorporated either into the quilt or into our adoption memory book. I will happily share pictures of the completed quilt.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and your wishes for Lucy.

Love, Erica

(Hopefully now that it is Spring Break, I will have some time to post pictures of the wishes and squares that we have already received.)