Bai Jia Bei

Today's blog entry is an email, posted verbatim, that I'm sending out to our family today:

Hello all,

Our adoption process is going well, but we have a long ways to go. The rest of the process is filled with periods of time where we have to wait for responses from governmental agencies before proceeding to the next step, etc. In the mean time, I’ve joined some internet groups that are made up of other people adopting from China. I’ve learned a lot of good information from these groups.

The latest interesting nugget of information is about something called “Bai Jia Bei”, or a 100 Good Wishes Quilt. This tradition comes from the northern part of China and involves friends and family members contributing patches of cloth and good wishes to the newest member of the family. Part of the cloth goes towards making a quilt for the child, while the other part, combined with the good wishes, goes towards a scrapbook. The quilt is believed to contain luck, energy, and the good wishes. It is then passed down from generation to generation.

I do NOT quilt, nor do I scrapbook, but yet I’m going to take a stab at this project. Shaling is from the southern part of China, but will not have a baby book, nor even baby pictures, EVER in her life. I think this project would be a lovely substitute that would be a lasting reminder that she is loved. It is my intention to pay someone to do the sewing that finishes up the quilt, but I will put the scrapbook together, as I have friends who are scrapbookers and think I can get advice with that part.

If you would like to be involved in this project, here’s how to do it:

1. Choose any 100% cotton fabric that you like. It can be from old clothing or new from a fabric store. It could be a bit of fabric that you've used to create something else wonderful for another member of the family, or it could represent something meaningful about you. For example, if my Grandma Bloomfield were still alive, perhaps a scrap of cloth with a nursing emblem, or from my Great Aunt Annie, one with a Doberman Pinscher. From my Grandma & Grandpa Barkley, it could have been one with flowers or a deck of cards. From Brock’s Grandpa Devall, perhaps a military insignia and from his Grandma & Grandpa Reynolds, perhaps something that represented agriculture. Or, the fabric could be related to your wish. Please don’t feel obligated to run out to buy new material, as in China, these quilts were originally made from old garments of family and friends, so the child could be surrounded by them.

2. Prewash the fabric so it shrinks and is clean; then iron it so that it is straight enough for cutting. Cut one 8X8 square from the fabric. Also, cut a scrap piece of that same fabric that you can attach to your wish card.

3. Write a "good wish note" on any size of index card (or construction paper) and attach the scrap piece of fabric. The wish can be your own words or thoughts, a favorite poem or quote, a blessing for Shaling, a prayer, a favorite verse, or anything else you would like her to know. Keep in mind that she will read your note numerous times during her life. If you feel creative and want to decorate it, that would be great too. It can be as simple or elaborate as you like. If you would like, you can also include a picture of yourself so she can see who sent the wish.

4. Please drop me an email or give me a call to let me know you’re participating and also how many squares (perhaps you want to contribute one square as a household, or perhaps you each want to do your own personal square).

Please feel free to share this with family members not on our email list (Mom, please have Dad print this out to share with Grandma Coonrod & Aunt Donna; Darlene, please share with Uncle Bob, Aunt Betty, & Aunt Sandee; Nancy, please share with Annabelle). Thanks for taking time from your busy schedules to help us create this special keepsake. We hope Shaling will cherish it her entire life.

Thank you!!

Love,

Brock, Amy, & Preston