Norma Gehig

Norma is Married to Ray --They will observe
their 60th anniversary in 2008.( How many people can actually say they been
married for 60 years. She truly knows how to keep a marriage going) They
have six loving
children --3boys & 3 girls. They presented them with 19
beautiful grandchildren & they in turn gave them 13
great- grand children. Quite a group when they all get
together.
Hobbies--I love to sew--crochet--help with freedom
quilts--do crafts--make rosaries--read. Theres always
something that needs doing. Have made afghans for all
my grand children for graduation & children as
well.Havent got to the son-in-laws yet & have been
told so. (What Norma hasn't told you is that she also cleans our church and
decorated it and gets it ready for us every week. She is also a librarian
beside the many other things she is involved in. I have never heard her
complain about any thing and she always has something nice to say about
everyone. She soft spoken and kind , you can depend on her for she is
always willing to help out. She a very hard worker and never complain about
anything she just get right in there and helps. We all love her dearly
because she is so sweet and kind. We like picking on each other but with
Norma since she is so sweet we don't pick on her as much. We have so much
respect for her. We truly love her so much.
How did you hear about Freedom Quilts-- In a town our
size word travels pretty fast & as I never want to
miss out on anything I decided to check it out. As it
turned out I was very pleased of the goals it
represents. So thats how I got started with Freedom
Quilts. I guess I am one of the ones that got in on
the ground floor. What Norma forgot to tell you is that she was one of the
first to support this project and though many have come and gone through the
years Norma is still with us stronger then ever. Norma is a very Christian
person and if she can bring comfort into families through our quilts she
wants to be a part of it. Norma like the rest of us didn't know how long
this project was going to last she never has given up. She believe in the
project and is a great part of the project. Norma is a huge asset to this
project. It's like I have been blessed with having the best of the best
helping me with this project.
Although I am not a seasoned quilter I remember my
mother having quilting sessions at our home as I was
growing up so I was happy to have the privilege of
quilting on the first quilts Freedom Quilters made,
Now when we work I mostly help with the tieing--have
also helped sew the tops & have helped with the
binding.Whatever the boss says.(lol) Norma can do anything you ask her so
it's easy to assign her to any task because she does it and does it well.
Working on the quilts gives me a feeling of doing a
worthy job for someone who needs compassion.It gives a
person a good feeling to think maybe you helped these
people who have such sorrow in their lives a little
joy.
I have been to some of the events when quilts were
presented to the families . I saw first hand how
touched they were to realize that people who didn't
even know them would reach out to them in this way-- &
I cried along with them.
The event at Varina was a very special one.
I certainly never expected Freedom Quilts to become
what it has today. I thought the first quilts we made
for Sept.11 would be it--Guess I was wrong & I am
happy I was wrong as it is surely a worthy project. It
is also a charitable project --we are all called to
give of ourselves in charity --what better way than
this.I am proud & happy I am a part of this
organization & I thank Betty Nielsen for being our
leader. She has spent many hours working & praying to
make this organization a success. In my estimation she
has done a wonderful & remarkable job--In that her
prayers have been answered. Proud To Be A Fredom
Quilter-- Norma Gehrig Varina Iowa.
It is people like Norma that make up Freedom Quilts. She has a heart of
gold that reaches to anyone that needs help. She brings so much goodness
into this project and I must say she enrich the project and the rest of us.
I am truly blessed to have Norma as a friend and a sister of the cloth.
Together we have learn so much care for each other and given our love,
warmth, and carrying to others. As Christian we are called to help one
another and that is what this project is all about helping others and loving
everyone as the Lord would want us to. Norma is a good example of what a
true Christian is all about. Norma is the best of the best. This project is
truly blessed with the ladies that have join the project because they are
truly the best of the best and I am thankful for all of them.