I began quilting for the first time in my life in May 2005. Having six children kept me from having much time to myself. So now that they were all on their own, I found a friend who took time to teach a group of us how to quilt. I fell in love with quilting and have found opportunities to quilt all the time since then! In September 2006, I joined our local quilt guild, Illini Country Stitchers.
One day, I found a fabric that I just couldn't leave in a store, so I bought some and made a quilt top with it – the pattern was called Just Can't Cut It. Great pattern. After I had made the quilt top, I decided that, because the fabric had tulips on it, I would finish the quilt and give it to my 23-year old daughter, Catheryn, for her 2nd wedding anniversary, which would have been May, 2007. For some reason, I told her in an email that I was going to make this quilt for her - and she was very excited and wanted to see a picture of it. I told her she had to wait to see a picture, but I did tell her it had beautiful tulips on a black background - as the main focus fabric.
On November 8, 2006, my daughter, Catheryn, and her husband, Steve decided to go fishing on a lake in Utah called Strawberry Reservoir. They also took Steve's brother, Kimball and his friend, Mike. The four of them got in the 14-foot aluminum boat and motored out about a mile into this 7,000-acre lake that beautiful morning.
About 11:30 a.m. a storm moved into the area and within minutes they had 4-foot waves attacking them which sunk their boat out from under them in 30 seconds! They were all four left in 40 degree water, with their heavy clothing, boots, etc. Steve just kept yelling, "Swim and pray, swim and pray!" Yes, they had life jackets, but one did not - Mike. He held on to a gas can which kept him afloat.
Kimball and Mike swam one direction, Steve and Catheryn swam another. Steve and Catheryn, being small in stature, succumbed to hypothermia, while Kimball and Mike, being large men, kept swimming as hard as they could for 2 hours - thinking all the time that Catheryn and Steve were coming too.
After they made it to shore (a total miracle) they laid there in complete exhaustion, and numb. Kimball and Mike then walked barefoot for 2 miles through the mountainous terrain to get to the street for help. They were treated for hypothermia. Catheryn's and Steve's life jackets were found that evening; their bodies were found 9 days later. I lost my gorgeous daughter and wonderful son-in-law that day, Nov. 8, 2006. Catheryn never got to see her quilt.
I took the quilt top with me to Utah (we live in Illinois). When the kids were finally found and we were preparing for their funeral, I wrapped Catheryn in her quilt, kissed her cheek, and told her that she would never, ever, ever be cold again. I miss her terribly, but I know she is happy and safe and that she and Steve are waiting for us to be with them someday. I know that they are watching over us even now. I am grateful for my strong faith in my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ.
In January, 2007, I remade the quilt and gave it to my mother for Mother's Day, as a replica of Catheryn's quilt. Steve and Catheryn were only married for 18 months. She had just graduated with her bachelor's degree in August a few months earlier. I am so glad that I was able to attend her graduation from the University and from Life!
LynnEl Springer
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