Laugh yourself into Stitches: *Just One Star*

March 25, 2011

Just One Star

I ran across this wonderful idea on

Polly Minick and Laurie Simpson's blog

recently and wanted to make *Just One Star*.

The goal is for 1800 star blocks to be made by many hands and fashioned into 100 quilts to comfort our soldiers.

I finally sat down at my machine today and made this:

It's kinda funny how I happen to make this star block today of all days. I was rummaging through some papers and found the tutorial I had printed off a couple weeks ago. Without making the connection, I just started to sew. My mind wandered to my oldest son Tucker now 21, graduating with a degree in Biology this May and making plans for a second degree in Computer Science with a Master's in Biomedical Informatics.

As I was stitching this morning, Tucker was in downtown Portland at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station). He passed the written exam with 98%, passed the personality test, but the physical exam was in question.

Tucker broke both his feet 2-1/2 years ago rock climbing. His left foot was severely damaged. I was sure at that time, his desire to join the military some day was out of the question. Tucker has always had a strong will when he sets a goal for himself. He was accepted into the Naval ROTC program at the University of Washington when he was just 16 years old. I told him flat out...."No Way!". His dad and I have always encouraged him to follow his dreams but as for the military, we asked him to wait on that decision until after he graduated from college. Tucker has never wavered from his desire to join the military and he was determined not to let his foot stop him. He has worked over 2 years to bring that foot around. The doctors were not sure he would ever walk without a limp. Today, after his physical exam, he was taken to a medical clinic for an x-ray, then back to MEPS to be examined once again....

....I just pressed my completed *Just One Star* block when the phone rang. "They are swearing me in at 3:00, can you and Dad come?" ohhh...tears. I am so proud of him.