Stitchin' Sisters: June 2019

It's getting harder and harder to find time to quilt it seems. I guess if you want something done, you have to schedule it! Thank goodness we meet twice a month or my sewing machine would be covered in cob webs!

Part of the reason that I love having a 'scheduled' quilt day is that it 'forces' me to work on a project - otherwise other things seem to take priority. It's difficult to take 'me time' sometimes when other things are pulling at you, but 'me time' is important time too. The other reason why I love having a scheduled quilt day is the camaraderie and friendship that develops between quilters; we're not just sewing or quilting, we're talking, we're sharing. Sometimes we share happy news - a marriage, a new baby, a graduation - and sometimes, we share sad news.

We recently lost a member of our group, Karen, and her empty chair is a very difficult thing to see. She joined us a few years ago as a somewhat new quilter and every block she sewed, every project she completed, she celebrated. And we celebrated with her! She was always happy and kind and she said many times how much our friendship meant to her and how happy she was that she was accepted into our little group. And her friendship meant equally as much to each one of us.

When she was diagnosed with cancer the first time during her time with us, she bravely fought with all she had and we supported her as best we could. She loved the quilt we made her and her thankfulness was genuine and heart felt. When cancer came to her again, she continued her fight and we stood by her. She fought just as hard as before with the support of her family and friends but this time cancer won. It doesn't seem fair because it isn't fair.

At her memorial service, we heard words of comfort, we heard that we will see Karen again. And no doubt, we will but in the meantime we will miss her. We will miss her quick smile, her quick wit, her energy and enthusiasm and her friendship.