The old quilt lay draped over a chair. It’s not a beautiful quilt, and all the fabric appears to be very old. Yet that old quilt is so full of life.
The patches and remnants came from so many people and places. A piece of an apron, a dress worn on a first date, patches from worn out knees, and bits and pieces from many other things. They are odd shapes and sizes. Some nameless shapes are round, others square and some very unusual, long slices of fabric painstakingly sewn with dozens of meticulous stitches. A few tiny patches are smaller than a thumbnail.
Some of the fabric is very plain with dull color, everyday things like shirts or dresses that were taken for granted. Other pieces are bright and cheerful, like snippets of birthdays, holidays, and happy times gone by. A few fancier pieces are satiny smooth with embossing or embroidery; they seem to whisper of weddings, dances, a first kiss…..
They do have an Interesting texture—smooth next to rough denim, seersucker alongside velvet and beautiful silks next to plain old cotton; and all over the quilt hundreds of tiny stitches, almost invisible to the eye, pucker ever so slightly.
That old quilt helps one remember times past and hope for the future. Sometimes one feels sad and miss the friends left behind. “Remember the days of old, consider the years long past; ask your father, and he will inform you; your elders, and they will tell you.” (Deuteronomy 32:7) A study of the old quilt raises many thoughts of the many friends one has had throughout their life. Some felt a bit scratchy and rough like a sturdy piece of wool, but in time they softened or one just became used to them. Others were delicate like silk and needed to be handled with care. Some were colorful and bright and great fun to be with. A few special others felt soft and cozy like flannel, and they knew how to be a comfort during hard times.
Some people leave one with a piece that is bigger than they wanted and others smaller than what one thought they needed. Some were that annoying itchy square in the corner, and others that piece of worn flannel. One leaves pieces with some and they leave their pieces that are kept for some time. All the while each and every piece of the quilt makes up a part of what is in each person. Be okay with the piece left to you. For life is too short to expect from people what they do not have to give, or were not called to give. Quilts are like friends, a great source of comfort.
As one looks closely at the quilt they can see a blessing in each stich. Life is so full of people, places and things and it so easy to become lost in all the different pieces encountered each day. All those scraps and pieces of life can be confusing. When life gives one those pieces and scraps, sew them together and make a quilt.
An old quilt pulled up around oneself offers much needed comfort warmed by memories. Surely, it is a personal masterpiece — this quilt of friendships and life is not nearly finished.
Everyday brings new friends and experiences that grow throughout life. Each person has that special quilt, and that’s because the Holy One, blessed be He has sewn them into our hearts.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)
