Years ago, as a result of familial blending, I developed the “Elastic Love Theory.’’ Time has taught me it is very effective and it continues to be an important part of my life to this day.

It’s really very simple: Love stretches to encompass whoever comes into your life to be loved.

Of course, the “lovee” must also be willing to give and accept love.

That’s where I’ve lucked out. I’ve been blessed with two wonderful daughters-in-law and, for the last 17 years, a stepdaughter who is a gem.

D. E. welcomed me into the Eschen family when I married her dad, the New Yorker. From the very beginning of our marriage, she has been supportive and, I like to think, that our friendship means as much to her as it does to me.

Recently, she showed me once again how much I matter.

The New Yorker now uses an electric cart in the house and a wheelchair outside. He is often chilly and is delighted with a surprise gift his Type A++ daughter gave him. She has become a quilter and made her dad a big lap robe.

Advertisement

But, it gets better. D.E. had contacted a quilt store in Manhattan and ordered a “fat quarter” - a great big patch - in every New York fabric they carried. She put them together with a center square of bright yellow New York taxi cabs and turned out a custom quilt for her dad.

He loves his “blankie’’ and enjoys showing it off to friends (all of whom have heard him brag about how he worked on this or that building during his 43 years with a family iron shop in the Bronx.

So, his quilt is full of built-in memories of New York. There’s the Chrysler Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, fancy stores, the lions in front of the main New York public library, the lights of New York at night, and more.

The back is starry black. It’s just perfect for him and he really likes snuggling up under his special New York quilt at night when we're watching TV or reading.

I thought it was a truly lovely thing to do and a wonderful gift.

Then, one recent day, she calls me up to say we’re going shopping for fabric to make my quilt! I was delighted - and also surprised. That's because when I shop, I like to look at everything and when D. shops, it’s fast and furious.

But, no. She guided me around the fabric store, helping me to pick out fabrics that I really liked, then taking bolts over to the cutting table to match fabrics up before cutting. I learned that you can be fooled by colors until you put them next to each other.

I also learned that she was determined to use fabrics I chose myself, even though we have completely different tastes and she likes to work with more contemporary, bright colors or those from certain seasons.

And, was she patient!

After two stores and plenty of trying, I picked out my squares. Cats in the middle, deep rose in two patches, roses - my favorite flower - in three different manifestations, and a couple of coordinating paisleys.

I was so thrilled to get my very own “blankie,’’ and even though it doesn’t picture any buildings, each patch is a memory to me.

There’s the center cats, and I remember the granddaughter, A E-V, whom I “inherited,” picking out runty Rosie from lots of kittens at the shelter; here are exuberant, happy, roses reminding me of the fun

A E-V and I had swimming together in the pool where we live; another patch calls to mind how we planted daffodil bulbs when she was 6 (she’s 22 now) and they still come up every year.

The quieter paisleys call to mind how D.E. has joined me in hospital waiting rooms over the year, hoping to see her Dad get better - and he did. Then, there are the stripes that border the quilt - strong and supportive, doing their job plus some - just like D.E.’s husband, my “step-son-in-law” (a ridiculous phrase), who has helped us out with myriad household problems in addition to barbecuing to order for my various visiting relatives.

Yes, I didn’t need the pictures. They are all here in my heart and every time I use my quilt, I remember. I wrote D.E. a thank-you note and she replied, “I just want to make sure that you and Dad are snuggly warm!’’

The Elastic Love Theory wins again.

Niki Reese Eschen can be reached at stiki@verizon.net.

Niki Reese Eschen can be reached at stiki@verizon.net.