Don Phipps

The text of the Houston Post article found here has been reproduced below.

Tess Thomas knew right away the kind of quilt she wanted to make for her godson Don Phipps, who died of AIDS at age 37.

She designed a lush garden scene with a yellow satin sun and rainbows, a tiny parrot sitting on a fence, workers in sun bonnets and many flowers.

"His whole life was gardening," explained Thomas, who owned a garden center with Phipps. "There are a lot of wonderful gardens in Houston due to his expertise."

Thomas found that working on the quilt helped her. "It made me feel like I was doing something for Don," she says. Now she looks at the world in a different way. "In every tree and flower I see everyday I see a little bit of Don."