BLANKIES The act of serving others is one of the most fulfilling acts that anyone can do. When that service is to complete strangers, the act becomes more rewarding. But when the service is such a comfort to bereaved parents who are so desperate with their grief, the act of serving goes beyond anyone's expectations and causes the encourager to want to serve even more. One such act of service is in the making of blankets for newborns and children who are hospitalized. My good friends in Cincinnati are deeply involved in such a service. It is called The Linus Project. I'm not up-to-date on their statistics, but I'm sure you can check the Project Linus out online. www.projectlinus.org The blankets bring comfort and relief to children of all ages. The part that always brings me to tears is the blankets sewn/crocheted for the tiny stillborn babies. Each stillborn is swaddled in a beautifully crafted blanket (can't think of the exact name given to the blanket) before handed to the grieving parents. The time spent with the little one cherished and so hoped for allows the parents some part of healing, some part of pride that is so difficult to achieve. This act of service goes beyond the comprehension of parents who have not suffered such a loss. One can be a part of the act of service in many different ways. Simply purchasing yarn or fleece is an important part. Constructing the blankets is another vital part, but even if one cannot sew or crochet, the act of service is done through untangling yarn or driving the blankets to the next drop off or many other ways. If you are interested in serving in such a way, please comment at the end of my post. Or since it is a nation-wide operation, check it out for yourself on line. The Mom