Those who know Patty Archer love her. You can depend on her and know that she'll always have your back. Patty is a very trusting soul and is more like a sister to us all. Patty is single and has two very awesome nephews that she loves dearly and a brother Paul. She loves quilting, reading, and going to activities that her nephews are involved in. Patty can do anything you ask her to, and if she doesn't know how believe me, it doesn't take her long before she catches on and then does it.
Patty helped to start our Freedom Quilts project. She got a call from me asking what she thought about making quilts for the 9/11 families. With out hesitation, she said yes she would help. Patty has many talents and shares them with all of us. I have never seen someone stretch material and make it fit like Patty does.
Some of the things Patty does for Freedom Quilts is sew blocks, tie quilts, occasionally sweeps the floor, or helps to set up the frames, and she helps with the annual mailers.
Patty used to help with presentations, but after her aunt got sick and then her brother with cancer, Patty couldn't do presentations any more. It was too painful. What people don't understand is, every time we do a presentation, we find ourselves reliving all the pain witnessed and it tears your heart to pieces. Patty puts her heart into everything she does and every time we did a presentation, it took a toll on her. Patty knows how it feels to lose someone you love. She has had her share of losses.
She lost her dad, her mom, her Aunt Betty, her brother Tom was killed in a propane explosion, and not too long ago she lost her amazing brother Mike. She knows that pain oh too well, and if there is anyone who really knows how to talk to families who have lost a love one, Patty would be the person to talk to.
She is strong in her faith and will support you 100 percent. She has both witnessed first-hand and has helped me through the ups and downs of this project. There were many of nights we went to bed in tears or upset because when things weren't going well, but never did she give up. She had faith and knew that God was going to pull us through all the hardships. Sometime I wondered if we would pull through, and she would remind me that I had to have faith and believe.
Many of nights we work and didn't get much sleep trying to get quilts done, and always her thoughts were with the families of those who lost a love one and on the project. Patty went to New York on the very first trip and got to see Ground Zero. She also made other trips with us to deliver quilts to families. Patty feels like we are making a difference. She hopes the quilts help families get through those tough days, but most important to Patty is the hope that families realize their loved ones made a difference too with their heroic acts. Patty feels always humbled and overwhelmed to see families receive their quilts. The families are always so thankful and that really touches Patty.
When you ask Patty what kind of feeling do you get when you are working on a quilt, she will tell you that she has a sense of peace and calm and that we are doing something to make a difference. When you ask her where she sees this project going, she'll tell you that only God knows -- and she means that literally.
We both have witness many miracles that only God would have his hands on, so we put our faith in the Lord and let him guide us. Even though Patty has touched so many hearts and has given so much, she will tell you that she probably received more from this project then what she put into it -- but we all know better than that. We know all she has done.
Patty has met many people that she would never have gotten to know, and yes this project has brought us together. Friendships have sprung up and have bonded us together. These friendships are priceless, and the quilts we make are an extension of that friendship. We are trying to extend our hugs and friendship to families across the nation. Patty is a huge part of this project and she is someone I know I can turn to for good advice. She has faith and that my friends, is what keeps this project going.
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