A year ago, May, my dear friend, Cheryl, went home to be with the Lord after battling cancer. You can read our story here. Recently I had the privilege of creating a memory quilt for her oldest daughter, Leah.
I cannot say that this was an easy quilt for me to make. While I enjoyed the hand applique and piecing, I often found myself in tears. There were times when the pictures became overwhelming. Last week I picked up the quilt from my quilter/friend, Mary. Looking at the beautiful quilting she did brought me to tears again. With the exception of the yellow dot and some green, the beautiful fabric is "Celebration" by Brenda Riddle of Acorn Quilts. Her blog is here.
I was not able to see Cheryl at the end of her time on earth. We had talked about me flying out from Michigan to see her in Texas. I kept thinking I had time and allowed my schedule to get in the way. Whenever I thought I could go, something would come up and again I would tell myself that there was plenty of time.
Then one day the news came that she was gone. I could not believe it. I could not fathom that I allowed that time to pass and now it was too late. The guilt of this would eat me up for months. I had missed saying goodbye to one of the most cherished friends that the Lord has ever provided me.
It was during this time that Leah and I began corresponding. Leah was a balm for my soul and I offered to make a memory quilt for her. This has been such a healing process for me, one last thing that I could do for Cheryl. The most meaningful quilt I have ever made.
I urge you to not hesitate in telling the people you love how much they mean to you and to do so face to face if that is at all possible. I know that I will see Cheryl again and we will worship our Lord Jesus together as we did so many times before and this time we will see him face-to-face, but if I could go back to that time I would take the first plane out and run to her.
Thank you, Lord, for giving me this opportunity to make a quilt for Leah and thank you for Cheryl, and for her life that brought me to you.
With joy,
