Jul 27, 2009

Freewheeling Twists and Turns


What fun it has been to come online and see dozens and dozens and dozens of comments from readers dropping in for a chance to win Freddy and Gwen's new book "Freddy and Gwen Collaborate Again: Freewheeling Twists on Traditional Quilt Designs" and providing me with the opportunity to check out so many wonderful new bloggers!

If you created a link to my giveaway,(Free Give-Away: Freddy & Gwen Collaborate Again) I'm visiting your blog in return..between the giveaway offer last Friday to the 'Draw the Winning Name' one, this week. I'm grateful to meet so many new bloggers from around the world in all different time zones...that's the nice part of giving others with different days and nights ;) enough time to drop by and leave a comment..... and create a link back to my blog, that I can check out, too!

I've already contacted the production company Red Lips 4 Courage Communications so that Eileen can watch how much fun I'm having watching the books title spread around the world with the power of blogs and bloggers!!!

And when I'm not watching or reading, I'm dealing with all of the twists and turns that all of our lives take. Spending a day helping a daughter move.... and another day, sharing with other quilters the loss of one of our own group member's husband.....and now helping my brother (long distance) face a really daunting surgery to repair a third failed hip replacement in Eagle River, Alaska.

In the wink of an eye, one of our quilters went from having a husband with some chest pains, to being a widow. This kind and very dear man, did everything with his wife...took her fabric shopping, to quilt hops all over Oregon, to meetings, to sewing groups..he'd go have coffee and she'd sew with us for hours and hours. A better husband and spouse would be harder to find. And he died on the operating table, this last Friday during his 3rd bypass surgery. So very, very sad. She is devastated beyond words and is only just now beginning that hard journey of facing loss and unbearable grief. Send a prayer up for my friend and the sudden and unexpected loss of her husband.

And today, Monday.....please send up a prayer for my own brother facing an extremely tricky surgery involving a rod being put in his back to support a third hip replacement that is not fitting properly and is so tight it is putting unbearable pressure on his sciatic nerve. I'm thinking the very best of positive thoughts and a relief to his own unbearable fear and pain. Please join your positive energies with mine for him, as well.

These are simply the hard twists and turns of all of our lives. But always, we have the caring of each other and the spirit of togetherness and support. And always, always...we have the joy of life, the things that we can do to be happy, and help others share in happy times, and the ability to share our joy by giving to others.

So, today, as I go off to sew with my small Monday quilting group, I am happy to have finished this small 'Twists and Turns' quilt that is a scrappy creation of a sort of 'Disappearing Happy Blocks '...big blocks shown, then all cut up into quarters and re-arranged in a haphazard, free-wheeling fashion.

I'm off to quilting today....banded together by the unity of women who understand life's twists and turns. Continue to join me in my on-going Virtual Quilting Bee For Charity The binding goes on a string quilted/mile-a-minute combination, that I'm working on now. It will keep my hands busy and fill up my heart with its brightness.

LINKS:
Liberated Quilting

Liberated Quilting Challenge

Liberated Quilting: Free Patterns, Blocks, and Tutorials

Word Play (Quilts)

7 comments:

dee said...

Oh Michele, what a sad story about your friend. I will keep her and your brother in my prayers. Sciatic pain to that degree must be horrifying. I only have it from time to time in the most minor way and it just stops you cold. My heart goes out to him and I wish him a very good result with the surgery.
Keeping busy helps with these things. Enjoy your quilty day Dear!

Angie said...

I'm so so sorry for your friend, Michele! I know that death is part of life, but it really is so devastating when a couple has been so very close. My heart and prayers go out to both your friend and your brother. I do hope you enjoyed your quilting group today. :) I spent a long weekend with my siblings and have just returned home this p.m.--tuckered out but soooo glad I went! :)

Scrappy quilter said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Life is so fragile. I do hope your brother's surgery goes well. I love your blocks as always. Hugs

quiltmom anna said...

Hi Michele,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your dear friend's husband. Losing a loved one is always difficult but this lady's story is so sad. I am sure that she will find herself surrounded by her loving friends and family that will help her through her difficult journey.
I hope your brother's surgery goes well- it can be so challenging to find ways to live comfortably with chronic pain.
Life is indeed full of twists and turns - your title is perfect.
Each day of life is a celebration- whether one is grieving or celebrating a joyous occasion - life's journey is a treasured gift.
Poignant post, Michele.
Warmest regards,
Anna

quiltmom anna said...

HI Michele,
I have just completed a new post and placed a link to your blog on it about the giveaway.
I hope your brother is feeling a bit better.
Time for me to start joining star blocks.
Warmest regards,
Anna

WendyB said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with your friend and your brother from here in Oz....I'm sure everything will be successful this time round with the surgery and although nothing can take the pain away from loss, knowing that other people are thinking and praying for you warms the soul.
Best wishes.

Tanya said...

Lord please be with Michele's friends and family during these hard times. We know that You comfort the widow by sending her loving friends like Michele. We know that You are a God who heals because you have given our generation wondrous medical technology. Please give Michele's brother renewed strength and hope. In Jesus' name, Amen