Memories

    “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”  C.S. Lewis

     A few months ago a friend, who was also my sons business partner passed away. He was very young, at only thirty five. We were all saddened and stunned. He left behind a wife and young son, who miss him so very much.
     His wife contacted me, knowing that I made quilts in the past and asked if I would make a memory quilt out of some of his clothes. I said,  "Yes" without hesitation. 
     In the past I have turned down quilts like this because they are so personal and I feel anxious about taking on such memories. There is a fear that I might ruin something or not put it together in a way that is honoring the deceased and those left behind. 
      This quilt came together by the Hand of God.  I laid out the clothing and looked at it for several days before finally cutting into the shirts and other clothing. I rarely have a plan when making one of these types of quilts.  
       Usually I only make them the size of a lap quilt, but this time a full size quilt was called for.
       So, as I looked at the clothing I knew that I needed it to be large squares in order to have it finished before Christmas. With one design idea covered, the next question was what type of blocks to make. There were t-shirts, dress shirts, gym shorts, sweater vests and a fleece jacket, just to name a few.  I get a little nervous when working with so many different types of fabric. Anyway, I started cutting out pieces for the blocks and then filler pieces to make it wide and long enough for a full sized bed.  
      The biggest problem for me some days if finding time to do all of the things that I need to do. I have been crocheting like a mad woman lately and then there were still meals to cook, laundry to do and a home to clean. I don't like to stop always when I'm feeling creative.  
     It took me 2 1/2 months to finish the quilt and now that it is finally done I'm ready to ship it off. Quilts become like my children as I'm making them. I have a hard time putting them into the hands of in between people. In this case the US Postal Service. I would much rather hand it off to the person that it was made for personally.
     This quilt will be a reminder, that those left behind were loved and cared for, and that they are still wrapped in that love and the love of God. Our hearts have been touched and the memory is precious and always with us. 
    In Memory of John G. 

Blessings to All ~S~