I think it started with the blackhawk

On June 17th, 2011 I packed up two cars full of my belongings and moved from Kansas to Colorado. I moved here with no real idea of what I would do and knowing only the people here that my mother had introduced me to on my various visits. Apparently, I was supposed to be here; within a week of moving I began working full time at a hotel in town. Aside from paying my bills and allowing me to save some money, my job introduced me to some amazing people who I am lucky enough to count as some of my closest friends.Getting to work on a daily basis with my friends has been beyond wonderful; but the opportunity to talk with some of the groups whose events we have hosted has been just as rewarding.

In September we had a group come stay with us called the Gold Star Mothers; it is a group of parents and families of soldiers killed in combat who are from all over Colorado. As we prepared for their arrival, I was told to ready myself for an emotional weekend and to stock up on tissues; they weren't lying. The ladies who organized the weekend were the first to arrive, and with them they brought photos of each and every soldier from Colorado who had been killed in action since 2000. Soon after their arrival our hallway was lined with tables filled with photographs of the soldiers, each frame proudly boasting their rank and name, and an LED candle in front of each photo in memory of their lives. I would venture to say that this was one of the most moving displays I had seen in a long time. That is, until the blackhawk flew in.

Around 9 AM everyone, including the staff, funneled outside; you could already hear the blades spinning in the distance. The hour that I spent outside in our parking lot that day, when I probably should have been answering the phone, was so full of love and sorrow that I could never fully explain it. As we heard the helicopter getting closer, its shadow appeared in the field. It was amazing; hearing the swoosh of the blades effortlessly cutting through the air and seeing its shadow sweep across the ground before we were able to actually see it. When the blackhawk came into view there was a palpable sense of admiration...and sadness. It was absolutely heartbreaking and awe-inspiring to see the families of the soldiers watch a helicopter (likely identical to the one that their children flew in) fly in...and to see them be able to touch and explore it.

Spending that weekend talking with the families of the fallen soldiers, watching the medical blackhawk fly in, and being able to sit in on some of their ceremonies really spoke to my heart. After the roll call ceremony some blankets in various patriotic colors and designs were gifted to some of the families via name drawing. It suppose it seems like an odd thing to be excited about, but the families who won the blankets (especially the mothers) were extremely excited to be getting one. I think that it will forever be a symbol of the immense amount of love and thanks that so many people feel for the sacrifices their child made...and a reminder of the weekend they spent in a small town in Colorado, sharing and healing with families going through the same things. So...I decided I wanted to make a blanket to donate.

Thus, bringing us to perhaps the largest project I have ever taken on.  I'm not sure what made me choose to create the most time consuming, difficult, patriotic-themed possible; but that is exactly what I did. So, I am currently about one third of the way done (honestly, it might be more like one fourth, but I think one third sounds better) with a crocheted American Flag blanket. So far, this is what it looks like (on my twin size bed):

As you can see, I'm only on stripe six...barely. The stripes are probably the easiest part though. In addition to the 13 stripes and large square of blue, I will also be making 100 stars. Now, I know there are those of you reading this and thinking "100?? Where the hell did she get that number from?" and I don't blame you. For those of you that know me well, you have probably immediately understood. For any normal person crocheting a flag, crocheting 50 stars would be perfectly reasonable. However, I am the kind of person that organizes my closet by color...and has no problem (nay, won't continue without) pulling out ten rows of crocheting if there is a mistake 11 rows down. So, I am making 100 stars so that the blanket won't have a 'front' or 'back'. :) Here is my lovely pile of stars so far (I think I am up to 35) and a close up of one star:

It is now March...so I have roughly 6 months to complete this.
Wish me luck! :)