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Air Force couple heal, touch lives with 'Tiny' stitches

  • Published
  • By Ilka Cole
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  For nearly two years, they've collected and crocheted handmade blankets to help cancer patients in South Carolina.  But it all began with a 'tiny' idea.

Tech. Sgt. Antonio Ruth, a command chief executive with the 33rd Fighter Wing and his wife, Master Sgt. Candace Ruth, with the 53rd Wing, use crochet stitches to continue weaving the pattern of giving they learned by example from their mother.

Antonio's mother, Reatha Mae Ruth, or Tiny, as his great-grandmother used to call her, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010.  Her health care providers told her she would need aggressive cancer treatments to stop the disease. During this time, the Ruth siblings rallied around their mother to provide support and love.

"I traveled to South Carolina to be with my mom during some of her treatments," said the self-proclaimed momma's boy. "We were very close. I would call her every day after work."

While Tiny received the treatment, Ruth would wait by her side. That's when he noticed some patients had no one to talk to during treatment, or they arrived alone, dropped off at the door by a family member or friend.  Some patients drove themselves.

"Those treatments can take hours," said the 30 year old. "I didn't want my Mom going through the treatment alone."

In the beginning, Tiny played games on her computer or tablet to keep her mind occupied. That was not fulfilling, so she brought little bits of yarn and her crochet tools. Soon, she was hooked and used her old hobby to pass the time at the hospital.

"The first blanket she made, she gave away at the hospital," said the Estill, South Carolina native.

It was always cold in the oncology center, so the news of the blankets spread quickly, according to Ruth. Some patients even requested their favorite football team colors.

Tiny made some blankets for a few University of South Carolina and Clemson fans.  They tried to pay her for the blankets, but she declined. For her, it was all about giving, said Ruth.

The raw emotions Ruth witnessed as he watched his mom, the inspiration warrior, share her experience while she gave away her blankets to fellow cancer patients was powerful.  The expressions of excitement and emotion compelled him to be a part of this cause, he said.

"I told my Mom I had an idea about making this big and doing it together. However, life got busy and I never got around to making that happen," said the father of two. 

Despite difficulty walking and pain, Tiny continued to make blankets until she succumbed to the cancer in December of 2013.

"It was tough to get over in the beginning, but I had watched her struggle and it was kind of a relief because I knew she wasn't hurting anymore," said the fifth of eight children. "She had a rough time.  That made it easier for me to deal with the loss and be at peace about it."

After Tiny's funeral, Antonio and Candace talked about what Tiny meant to their lives.  Antonio told Candace about his idea to form an organization and continue to give away blankets, just like his mom.

"I thought, Momma Tiny used to think of and give to others," said Candace. "Seconds later I came up with the name, A Tiny Bit of Love."

The following day, the Ruth family gathered to share Antonio's vision. It would take the family to make the organization Tiny's legacy. To honor Tiny, the first blanket give away was scheduled for her birthday.

The organization's first event provided blankets to cancer patients from the same South Carolina oncology center where Tiny received her treatment, said Ruth.

"I used to crochet with our Mom, but never talked about taking it further.  Antonio did.  He put this together. He went full throttle with it," said his sister, Renee Freeman.

Antonio's aunts, sisters and Candace began to crochet.  In the meantime, Antonio organized the groundwork for their first event.  Soon they realized they were re-connected with their beloved Tiny.

"Aunt Mary in Arizona is our number one knitter, she has been knitting since Momma Tiny passed away and uses it as therapy to work through her grief," said Candace. "I, also began to crochet again to support this cause."

The close 'knit' family has crocheted over 110 blankets, held two events and gave away another 55 blankets during their recent visit to the South Carolina oncology center.

"I think A "Tiny" Bit of Love is Antonio's way of dealing with his grief too," said Candace. "It gives him a platform to talk openly about what Momma Tiny was about."

To draw out a smile from someone facing the fight of their life or providing company and support if only for a few hours is extremely rewarding and the reason behind the Ruth family's efforts, according to Ruth.

"I'm pretty sure Mom is smiling down on us every time we have one of these events," he said.