Written by Karen D. Swim
The other day I pulled the Fall linens from their storage place to begin the seasonal preparation. Soon it will be time to replace the lightness of summer with the heavier textures of the new season. I smiled as I touched the soft quilts recalling seasons past and the memories they held.
I am particularly fond of the handiwork of quilts. In many cultures, quilts serve as a historical and culture reference. They tell stories about the lives of those that created them and times in which they lived. Harriet Powers, a freed slave made appliquéd quilts that illustrated biblical stories. Hawaiian quilts often record the stories of families or honor the memory of loved ones.
Our lives are very much like a quilt. Individual blocks of fabric are sewn together creating a rich picture of our total experience. Some blocks may be unremarkable when viewed alone but when combined with the other blocks it becomes an integral part of the story.
Quilts may be thick and uniform or dense with raised areas that stand out. Our lives start out uniform but as we continue to add blocks, there are events, moments or memories that stand out from the others.
Some quilts reflect the handiwork of multiple artisans. Quilting bees are when groups of women come together to make a quilt. In the mid nineteenth century it was a popular social gathering, as women shared gossip as they quilted. Today, volunteers will often get together to make quilts for various causes. The individual contributions form a communal quilt that is much different than had it been made by the hands of one.
Our lives also reflect a collective effort. Parents, teachers, friends, mentors, and others impact our lives, creating a square that reflects their involvement. Their squares join the whole of our life creating a quilt that reflects not just one life but the influence of family and community.
Faith Ringgold, known for her painted story quilts, combines storytelling, painting and quilted fabric. She has noted that some look at her work and try to figure out the stitching when in fact is a painting. Just like Ringgold’s painted quilts our lives cannot always be figured out by dissecting the whole into individual parts. Our life is best viewed in its rich entirety without pre-judgment about how it was made and what it should be.
I pull one of the quilts from its summer hiding place and wrap it around me inhaling the fragrant scent of softener that still clings to the fabric. I relax into the warmth as I smile with anticipation about the blocks that will be added in this new season. I am excited to keep writing my story, and adding depth to the quilt of my life.
What does your life quilt look like – is it thick or dense with raised areas? Is it uniform or filled with blocks of different sizes and colors? Tell us all about it in the comments. It is your turn at the mic.