Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Something beautiful

It started as a way to memorialize what I've lost. A way to help me grieve and exteriorize some of the pain I've carried. Pain and grief from the frequent, recurrent pregnancy losses as well as from being with those dying, who have lost babies, who were entrusted into my care and things didn't go as expected and from seeing some things hard to even describe. 

Having never quilted before a simple log cabin pattern was recommended to me. This pattern also contains a central hearth or heart to it and I liked the idea that what came out from the center arose and centered around the heart. 
I did find comfort in the hours of stitching and hours of removing stitches. It metaphorical spoke for the ways God acts in our lives putting things in and pulling other things out. Trying to piece my imperfectly square pieces reminded me that flaws can be overcome as in life by God's grace. Someone offered to quilt the top and took away something I was incapable of doing. Just as Christ made us right with God something we are completely incapable of.  So that somehow when all is said and done it comes together. 


Beauty is found. Life is restored. Hope is renewed. 

8 comments:

Christina said...

Sara - what a beautiful blog post and quilt! Thank you for your heart and your willingness to share.

Pastor Amy said...

Beautifully quilted and written! Seems like a wonderfully cathartic project.

Joan said...

Oh Sara~ The quilt is exquisite! Beauty from ashes. I'm smiling and crying at the same time. Sending my love and a hug to you today, Joanie

Em said...

Gorgeous quilting. Congratulations on a wonderful project well done.

Anonymous said...

Oh so beautiful, Sara. What a great way to work through your grief and have a beautiful wall hanging forever to remind you of God's special love for you.

Love and hugs,
Kathy Poncy - Bend

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I would never know it was your first quilt!!
Patty Barrett (AGMC)

Anonymous said...

Brought tears to my eyes. The quilt is beautiful, but the post is more wonderful. Love you, Mom C

The Drs. McLaughlin said...

Sara: Maybe I should take up quilting. :) Being an OB just weighs on you here in the developing world...the "happiest" field in medicine seems to have the most tragic tragedies as well. I'm glad God sees fit to let us help with some of the victories as well, to keep us going. Rachel