‘Da nizhoni yeh’
Twin Lakes, N.M. community matriarchs Clara B. John, 95, left, and Marie D. Begay, who isn’t sure of her age, enjoy their gifts on Friday at the Twin Lakes Senior Center during their annual Christmas dinner in Twin Lakes, N.M. (Times photo - Donovan Quintero)
Giveaway offers quilts for elders
Twin Lakes, N.M. community matriarchs Clara B. John, 95, left, and Marie D. Begay, who isn’t sure of her age, enjoy their gifts on Friday at the Twin Lakes Senior Center during their annual Christmas dinner in Twin Lakes, N.M. (Times photo – Donovan Quintero)
TWIN LAKES, N.M.
When Clara John, 95, unwrapped her gift, it was a hand-sewn quilt with textiles of orange butterflies.
John K. Yazzie, 90, from Twin Lakes, N.M. gets some help from daughter Roberta Yazzie, right, with unwrapping his gift at the Twin Lakes Senior Center Christmas dinner in Twin Lakes, N.M. (Times photo – Donovan Quintero)
“Yee! Da nizhoni yeh,” said John, who was surprised by her new blanket.
Next to her sat Hilda Bates, of Mexican Springs, N.M., who also received a throw to keep her warm this winter.
Their gifts were designed by fellow seniors Nancy Benally, Sadie Benally, Orlinda Boyd, Laverne Chischilly, Lillie Hillman, Helena Long and Stella Shirley.
The women, who took about two days to make seven different quilts, also gifted grandpa John K. Yazzie with one of their trademark hand-sewen covers.
The giveaway was part of Twin Lakes Senior Center’s community Christmas dinner for the elderly, held last week on Dec. 19. More than 150 community members celebrated with the grandmas and grandpas.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow