My best friend Pam and I are flying to a mid-point in the country to spend a much-needed girls weekend together. Where are we meeting? Kansas City, a place I’ve never been but that holds two people I love very much.

Pam is the daughter of Merrily and Lebert Shultz, two wonderful people in Kansas City. Ever since meeting them, years ago, they have opened up their hearts and their generosity to me. I was looking for pictures to post with this blog, and found the gifts they have given me (awesome sweaters), Oliver (his first sippy cup, metal of course), and the organic, silk blanket they sent Allyson when she was born. This post is specifically to thank Merrily for the handmade blanket she knitted Eleanor when she was born.

Allyson’s blanket sent by the Shultz’s.

For at least the past six years, whenever Pam’s parents came to Baltimore to visit her and her family, we’d make a point of meeting between DC and Baltimore (at a place oddly named Savage Mill) for dinner and a walk. Talking politics with her father, catching up on Merrily’s projects and beloved Westies, was always wonderful. And, continuing their theme of generosity, they always insisted on buying, even as our family grew and grew.

One time, they babysat when Pam and Chris went out of town, and we still met up in the middle — it was a wonderful time.

Merrily, an advanced and skilled seamstress, knitter and outfit creator extraordinaire, always makes sure to thank me for being there for Samantha’s birth (see earlier post). As we were preparing for our beloved third baby, turning our den into a third bedroom; getting the crib set up; cleaning the baby girl clothes — Merrily was working hard on a gift of wonderful beauty.

Jason holding both our girls wrapped in the beloved blanket.

Almost the day Eleanor arrived, a package was in the mail: A handmade blanket, in a wonderful rainbow of colors, just for our baby girl. We wrapped her in it immediately, and she still carries it with her everywhere almost 2 1/2 years later — ‘my blanket! where my blanket, daddy?’

It’s beautiful, it’s handmade, and wrapping Eleanor in its warmth every day reminds me of Merrily’s skills and love. I can’t wait to see her, Lee and wonderful Kansas City tomorrow. Thanks, Merrily.