Three weeks ago, I wasn't sure I could ever touch my sewing machine again. I'd been trying to teach Lizard to quilt again as art therapy.
He picked out the guacamole fabric, and he did the design. I cut the batting and the solids, but he put all the charm square layers together. Meticulously.
I laid the unfinished project out on the floor to try to finish it a couple of days after Lizard's Celebration of Life. All I could do was look at it and cry for about three days.
He was able to do only the X's. He couldn't do the seams. We got only halfway through the project before he had to go into the hospital. He had planned to let me try to sell the finished quilt for him.
I finally finished it last week after two full days of working on it. I found out I can use my sewing machine again. It was painful at first, but it got easier with each block. I think Lizard would have been proud of me for sticking with it until I finished.
I posted on social media that I was thinking of selling the rag quilt in my Etsy shop with all proceeds going to The HealthWell Foundation, which made it possible for Lizard to take an extremely expensive medication for nearly two years. The Foundation helps many people afford life-saving medications. I think Lizard would have wanted that.
Within four hours of posting, I received a text from a charitable fan who'd made a generous donation to the Foundation and who asked if they could have the quilt. I will be delivering it in person this weekend. I think Lizard would be dancing with joy.
Linking up with Alycia Quilts.
I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds wonderful that you and Lizard sewed together and made this beautiful quilt. Congratulations on the sale and the donation to an organization that was importantto you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Little Penguin. Yes, we did sew together, but not enough. Parkinson's robbed him of too much too quickly. But he is no longer suffering now. For that, I am grateful.
DeleteSweet that you were final able to finish it and someone made a donation for it so quickly. So colorful.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I couldn't find your email address in the sidebar. Thank you for commenting on my blog. I'd like to respond but it came up with no email.
Thank you, Nancy. It's been so long since I've been able to comment on blogs, I'd forgotten that had been a problem in the past. I'll try to remember to fix that. It truly was heart-warming that someone would make such a generous donation in his memory so quickly. I might have to do this again every year on the anniversary of his passing. He had quite the stash of interesting fabrics he had intended to use in quilts...
DeleteWhat a horrendous loss you have experienced. I'm glad that you were able to finish it. Maybe working on it allowed you to linger over pleasant memories of other times spent together? How wonderful there was a donor and someone who will find this quilt meaningful. Lizard is still with you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terry. It's getting easier to bear with each passing day. I have not touched the sewing machine again yet, but it's getting easier to think about sewing and quilting again. I'm hoping to get some of the long-stashed mending done this weekend...
DeleteI am so sorry for your loss. Beautiful sewing. Lovely fabrics, colours and patterns.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. I'm glad I have photos to hang onto to remember his wonderful sense of design.
DeleteBeautiful! I am so glad you were able to finish it, and so glad that it will be loved, and help spread love to others. I hope it healed your heart a little bit, that you had good memories while finishing this.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alycia. There are some really wonderful memories. It's good to be able to focus on them now instead of just grieving how difficult the final weeks were for him.
DeleteSo beautiful. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Regula. I think he would have been so pleased with it.
DeleteAnd what comfort it must be to think of Lizard dancing with joy at the finishing of the quilt, the charitable gift and you putting one foot in front of the other, as you learn to live life with Lizard in heaven and always in your heart.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cherie. I hope I can always remember and treasure the good memories and always picture him happy and whole again.
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