Difficult years

 Well, it has been a tough year.  So long 2024 and welcome 2025.  

We lost several family members…my mother-in law…January 2023, Mom in May 2023, another brother in July 2023, and Dad, November 2023.  I have been grieving and remembering the joyful times we shared.  I stopped sewing and quilting this past summer and fall; losing my mojo for the most part.  I have been working on quick small projects, but just didn’t have the motivation to head on up to my small room to sew and create.  I have many quilt tops which need to be completed.  I do not feel guilty at all for stepping away for the time being, it takes time, but I will get back into the swing of things sewing.  

2024 has not been been any easier…I lost close cousins in October and November, and an auntie earlier in June.  My sister lost her stepson in the early spring.

As we age, more and more pass on.  Now I understand what my grandparents and my parents were referring to about life.  I have a great husband who is very supportive and is there for me when I cry as I remember sweet memories.  

Reading about this year’s quilt mystery, I didn’t feel ready to start another top, but as the time approached I prepared and searched my fabric stash to begin.  With work and long travel times, I knew I wasn’t able to get going, but I saved, printed and organized my instructions.  With school finished for another semester and my final college class completed, I sat down and begin cutting and measuring.  My previous post, I have completed the first set of three clues.  This sewing time has allowed me to reflect and reminisce the happy and sad times of these two past years.  I needed the solace that sewing and piecing brings, the simple joys of working in small amounts of time between life happenings.  I am still grieving, but I am finding much needed comfort in taking care of what I enjoy doing, along with memories of making gifts for my loved ones.  

I have been given the fortitude I need to keep going,  caring for and loving my family.  Mom and Dad, thank you for teaching me love and teaching me to be resilient, patient and strong.  Thank you for loving family members and loving friends and above all, a loving and comforting God and son Jesus.