As I have spent time this week going between housework, studio time and doing year-end (monkey) business, I have been contemplating some of the "hard" that Dave & I experienced in the last half of 2024.
There were multiple losses... not all of them were shared here at MLS. Individually, not that big of a deal... The cycle of life continues. The news in our family Christmas letter revealed that we, along with both of our daughters lost some beloved furry friends. Three households and three dogs crossed the rainbow bridge. :'( In August I shared in a Pieces of My Life story (newsletter, possibly?) that a grandchild had been lost through a miscarriage.
In July I did share with you about the passing of a quilty cousin - Diane. In November, my Uncle Forrie, slipped away peacefully and in December another quilting cousin, Mae passed away. All three of these family members had feature stories about their love for quilts and quilting in my Quilters Through the Generations series.
As I prepped 3" hexies for hand-stitching to pass the time during our trip to my Uncle's celebration of life service, I thought of all of these losses... and how I have been blessed by their presence in my life - for it is in the valley that we suffer, but also the place that we can see the most growth. I offered thanks and experienced deep gratitude for the fact that I preserved some of their personal thoughts about quilting and what it meant to them.
As I sorted through an old collection of scraps and "chunks" of pink that came out of deep storage for my RSC hexies it was like revisiting some old friends!
Fabrics that were used in many baby girl quilts... and purses.
The colors of pink range from light pinks, deep fuchsia, puce, and dusty roses... some of the scraps lean toward a lavender. Some are playful with polka dots and multi-colored.
All this to say...
Tell those that you love how you feel.... make sure they know. And tell them often!
Find joy in each and every day... even if it only for a small, seemingly insignificant thing. I started a blessing jar on January 1... one small note of paper with a blessing that made the day special.
Pet the fabric and make beautiful things!
Keep Piecing,
Melva
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I'm sorry for your losses, Melva - I really enjoyed reading about your family members and their quilting connections. Those are pretty pinks! Isn't it fun how fabric brings back memories? I am sewing the binding on my Pieces of My Life today! 🩷
ReplyDeleteWhat a great reminder to give thanks in the midst of loss by remembering the good! I think I need to do some fabric petting, it is good for the soul.
ReplyDeleteYes, remembering the lovelies that we lost is important. A year ago today, January 15th, my nearly 80 yr old brother died of pancreatic cancer. We both loved him dearly. Since then I have been in phone contact more often with his widow. They had been preparing to move to a retirement community, and that is still in the works. I also keep in contact with my extended family and friends via weekly group emails. My sis lost her 2 old kitties last year, but got a pair of kittens to entertain them, which helps ease the pain.
ReplyDeleteWe will eventually get another pet. I'd like a cat again. They are more independent than dogs and easier to come and go. Another dog will likely happen, but we need to try traveling without any pets to see how we like it. We will be able to ride our bikes again and be gone longer without worry of a pup in the trailer. ;)
DeleteSorry for your losses - those always hit hard, but even harder around holidays - Hugs my Friend!!!
ReplyDeleteNow those hexies - what fun!