It was 13 plus years ago, that I began an Art Quilt Group; a group of women who gathered around to inspire each other to become fiber artists. It has since included other forms of art, and we still meet once a month. Most of the original group still attends.
Yesterday we lost a member who I met for the first time, at our first meeting. We connected immediately, for she knew my aunt, and it gave us familiarity.
She was my opposite in Art. She was a precision seamstress. Her stitches, seams, corners, and choices of fabric was impeccable. She loved working patterns that required attention to detail and design. The more intricate and complex, the more she loved to engage in the pattern.
She mainly sewed for her family, and love was stitched into the details, the thoughtfulness of pattern, and need.
She has a granddaughter who was gifted so many delightful things. Her thoughts were always for the receiver. What would delight and make their lives better. Her imagination was incredible, in what she would design and sew!
She was also a woman of quiet wisdom. Her life was like her art. She put so much of her into everything she did. Love truly is in the details!
In our meetings, we would often share parts of our lives, or most (Me) and I will treasure her words and thoughts about being a mother and grandmother.
She had a knowing, that if you lived your life with intention and integrity, that life will resound in the same.
In times of worry, she had the right words to ease an aching heart and lean you towards hope. She is my mentor on so many levels.
As I skied on the Tolkien Trails a few weeks ago, I did so in honor of her. She loved to be outside with her husband and dog. And these trails were her favorite. Mine too.
There is so much to remember about her, she lived of life of great purposefulness. Everything she did, she did with awareness of its impact. No detail too small to be missed.
My life is much better because I met you.
May you soar now with all the love your heart carried.
Our small group will feel your absence, and each of us will now have to rise into what you have taught us.
I love you.
I will carry with me so many memories.
I am better because of you.
Photo by Ann Sandberg
