The last 10 days or so have been difficult... Oh, let me be honest... 2024 did not end on a very good note. It was challenging for our children as well as us. My Mom's house was a nuisance (but has finally been sold), our family has been facing loss at an uncanny rate... Cousins and cousins' children (both my side of the family as well as Dave's) have passed away.
Just this year... 6-7 weeks in, we have attended three funeral/memorial services. The father of a close childhood friend just passed away on Friday... news of a good Christian brother joining his wife in heaven on Saturday... and Dave's brother-in-law placed in hospice care after fighting cancer for 3 years.
As 2024 faded away I was hopeful for a joy-filled year. It doesn't seem to be the case... however... In the first few days of January, I saw this idea/suggestion in social media.
I grabbed a jar and some small pieces scraps (because Melva Loves SCRAPS) of paper and placed it on a shelf in my studio.
Rather than adding a note each week, I am adding one nearly on a daily basis. Especially on the challenging days.
I may need to find a larger jar. ;)
Some days are SO ordinary... and I need to really examine closely the events of the day to find one moment, person or event that made me smile or feel good... a smile from a stranger or a conversation with a stranger while in line at the grocery store... a phone call from a friend who wanted to check in with me... praying friends!
The feeling of fabric in my hands as I piece or press... the memories of those leftover bits and pieces from a special quilt I made for a customer of loved one.
The sunrise or sunset... the artistry of my God and Creator... the miracle of how a human body functions... just the fact that we have breath in our lungs and the blood that the heart pumps throughout the body...
The blessing of seeming to continually need to do laundry or dishes... for this means that I have clothing to wear and food to prepare and eat...
Email messages from fellow quilters and readers of MLS always brighten my day! The other day (a day that I was especially struggling) I had a message offering congratulations that I had been included in the list of Top 100 Quilt Blogs. WHAT??? It may be a bit "spammy", but sure enough... somewhere out there in cyberspace I was listed as #83. 😍
This is not an accomplishment done on my own... I extend many, many thanks to each of you... my cyber friends make it possible!
You encourage me and support me through all of the ups and downs of life, and you help to make the weekly Sew & Tell parties fun and inspirational.
As I pieced this string quilt, I counted each one of you as a blessing! And it was with each string that I plucked as I made this quilt, I offered up thanks for YOU!
Thank you!!!!!
What are some of the blessings that you see in an ordinary day?
Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you.
Keep Piecing,
Melva
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Yesterday, I was thankful for the mail carrier who still does his job when the temperatures are hovering around zero! I'm so sorry for the losses that your family is experiencing, Melva. That is so hard. Keep sewing and blogging - it's good therapy and we are here for you!
ReplyDeleteBlessing to you Melva. I have many friends going through tough situations. I try and take each day as it comes. Congratulations on your blog recognition! I'm so pleased you are here blogging! ❤️
ReplyDeleteThat jar is an extremely good idea!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard when we experience those times of life so closely sources. Keeping it mind focused on the One who created us and His many blessings can help! I enjoy reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteMelva congrats on being on the list of the top 100. We all appreciate you hosting Sew and Tell. If not for you, who would we be able to tell about our accomplishments. You go girl!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Melva, I'm not surprised! You have a lovely, warm, and welcoming blog with many interesting projects, you share your patterns so generously, and you are an inspiration to so many of us. Your blessings jar is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteHere is my blessing. It's a long story, so this is the condensed version: After worrying about a little stray cat I've seen in the yard of the house across the street a few times, God gave me tangible reassurance that it not only belongs to our neighbor across the street but it has a warm bed inside. I really believe God has a great sense of humor, and the way he provided that reassurance is just incredible. I'm grateful for and in awe of His personal interest in my deep concern about outdoor critters!
Like you, I count some ordinary things as blessings. Every time I do a load of laundry, I can imagine the hours of work my grandmother put into washing for her farmer husband and their 7 children. All I do is throw the clothes in the washer or dryer and walk away - Thankful. My prayers for you for your recent losses.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you, what a great idea for you to do, especially during all the trying times. Right now I am so thankful for our warm weather.
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