The sum of many parts…

C.E. Grundler

Years ago, when my daughter was still very young, my mother made a quilt for her. The pattern was a collection of geometric cat silhouettes, each sewn separately and then combined. And while the pattern was fairly basic, each cat was unique. Each was constructed from different fabrics, with little regard for esthetics. The fabrics, for the most part, were scraps from dresses I’d made for my daughter and myself, or from the pocket of a favorite shirt or the like. The end result was a whimsical and colorful collection of random cats. And the older it gets, the more treasured that quilt becomes, because it’s not just a quilt – for us, it’s a tapestry of memories.

As I work to reduce a houseful of possessions down to a boat-able size limit, I’ve been faced with quite a challenge. In some cases letting go can be easy – something no longer serves any purpose and there’s no sentimental ties to sever. But then you’re faced with something that while no longer useful to me, may evoke some fond memory. Or even a truckload of memories, as with my old Dodge pickup. 20 years of memories, but the truth is I just wasn’t using the truck enough to warrant keeping the old Dakota anymore. Old trucks need constant care, and they need regular use or they really start showing their age. Fortunately I have a friend who seemed as enamored with my Dodge as me, and has given the truck a good home and a second lease on life. And seeing him nearly every day, driving around in that truck with a big grin on his face, made letting go a little easier, and it made it easier to let go of other things I no longer need, knowing that others will get good use from them. And in some situations, such as a favorite old blanket or old jacket, now too worn to warrant keeping or even giving away, I’m simply cutting a small square of fabric. Because in the end you don’t need big pieces to make a quilt. Just a whole lot of small memories.

 

 

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