I am horribly saddened by the recent tragedies in Minneapolis, Baton Rouge and Dallas.  While I don’t believe our world has changed (think back of the riots of the 60s, the University of Texas shootings, the Kent State massacre), I believe that social media and the news brings it into our living rooms faster and with more fervor than in the past.  My heart aches for the families of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and the brave, selfless officers of the Dallas PD and Transit Authority – Michael Krol, Lorne Ahrens, Patrick Zamarripa, Michael Smith and Brett Thompson.  I list all their names so that we remember they are people – they aren’t just a statistic.

I ask that everyone reading this do something kind for a stranger today.  Whisper to the recipient of your gesture to pay it forward.  Be the catalyst.  Replace the anger and the hate with caring and compassion.  It has to start with us – with a single gesture that will grow and multiply until it turns into a tsunami of kindness.

We are quilters…and in my experience, quilters are the most generous and caring individuals I know.  We can make a difference.  We must make a difference We must start now!