...heading for a growth spurt

OK..first off, I cannot thank everyone enough for the overwhelming participation we have gotten from the SewNews pattern and articles. When I say overwhelming, I mean hundreds upon hundreds of dolls have been received. Now, while I say that... nope, I don't have an exact total, but... I can assure you that I have logged every beautiful doll and it's maker that has graced my threshold.

As many of you may or may not know, my childrens father passed away this January, followed by my Husband having a heart-attach and 6 stints put in, my middle child headed off for his first year of college, followed by my step-mother moving in with us in August!! Yes! A very busy year!!
...so...
I am posting this as I want to let everyone know that although you have not heard much from me, I am still here, and working at processing all of your wonderful donations. I have been lucky enough to start working with someone who is helping me implement some serious (or not so SERIOUS) structure into the project, and am looking forward to it's next growth spurt. (I was nowhere ready for the growth spurt which accompanied the SewNews charity of the year.) ((Grateful YES, prepared ...umm, no)

So, let me run down just a few of the wonderful donors this year:

Virginia Markel-MI
Janet Elling -CA
J. Olson of St. Paul
Patricia Renfors-MN
Sarah Johnson-OH
Lois Tucker - IN
Shirley Borgia
Kathleen Morris - MT
Chickie Hiyoshida - WA
Susan Foy - NJ
Betty Morici - NY
Jackie Samek - PA
Elsy Alvarado - NJ
Calvary Baptist Church (CLIMB) -IN
Ladywood High School - MI
Margaret Leary - CA
Catherine Sprague- OR
Dobernigg-Canada
Dee Dee Remington-OR
Peggi Lemire-OR
Janet Beutel-OH
DeRie Johnson - AR

...alright, that's a start...and yes, that is just a start.
The outpouring of support you have given this project is more than appreciated; it is support full of hope, caring, and love.

From the the bottom and top of my heart,
smiles to all!
Brenda

...Angel Comfort Dolls

I box was delivered to my door today, and inside with wonderful Comfort Dolls was this letter that I would like to share:

I am an artist.
I have created these dolls as part of my own transformational healing process. i am a survivor of domestic abuse that was perpetrated by men throughout my life. These dolls were created in tears, but also with thoughts of love, compassion, hope, justice, peace and grace. I envision these as angels that the dolls represent. Thank you for the opportunity to share in this project.

Thank you for sending not only the dolls, but such a personal account of process. The more we can bring to light and give voice to the affects of domestic abuse, the weaker it's grasp becomes.

Prayers and Warm Smiles to All,
Brenda