A Letter To My Son

It took me over a year, but I’ve finally finished a special quilt that I’ve been working on.  It was a present for my mother. If you’ve been wondering where I’ve been for the past 7 months, I’ve been immersed in caring for both of my parents.  But, that’s another story for another day...

Those who are regular readers of my blog know that my brother passed away from complications of scleroderma in November, 2010.  In June of last year, I decided I wanted to learn how to make a portrait quilt and took an online class from Marilyn Belford through Quilt University. I had never taken an online class before, but it was a great learning experience, and Marilyn is a great teacher. I selected a picture of my brother as the subject, intending to finish it for Christmas and give it to my mother then.  Then my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer in September, and I ended up in the hospital for Christmas (I’m fine now). I blew through the Christmas deadline.  The next deadline was my mother’s birthday in May, and I’m glad to say I finished it (enough).  Enough…you know…not completely done but done “enough” to give to her for her birthday and then take it back to finish it.  I’m glad to say that I have actually finished it.

This is the picture I used for the quilt inspiration

The first step in the process was to make a line drawing from a blown up picture

The audition process.  Marilyn was very tactful when she said my facial fabric choices were great if I was going for a “impressionist” look.  I had to change my direction.

The finished quilt

Here’s a close up

My mother wrote a letter to my brother on the first birthday after his passing.  It was a beautiful letter, so I decided to use the letter for the label on the back of the quilt.  I framed the letter with a wood-patterned fabric so it looks like a picture frame. 

I named the quilt “A Letter To My Son”.  We had a party in the nursing home for mom on her 79th birthday in May, and I gave her the quilt. She loved it..

For those who would like to read the letter, I’ve reproduced it below.  Be warned, however, that there might be some tears involved.

A Letter to My Son

Written by Judith Reid on July 18, 2011

Tribute to Mark Reid

July 18, 1956--November 30, 2010

Dear Mark,
So…how is it? Eternal Life – so far, I mean. Are you surprised to be there as we are for you to be there? Not that we are surprised you are in heaven, mind you, but surprised, shocked, and saddened that you are there so soon. It doesn’t make sense to us who are left on this side of life. Does it make sense to you from there? You had too much life yet to live, and in the midst of our disappointment, your earthly life was cut too short. There were too many family photos yet to take with you in them; too many conversations yet to have; too much life to still enjoy. You were multi-talented being a carpenter, building a house, which together with Ruth, was made into a loving home. Also, you were a mechanic and a gardener which you so much enjoyed doing. How much you both enjoyed and followed NASCAR and boating with friends. Your move to Ft. Myers, Florida was so enjoyable with meeting new friends and visits with old neighbors from Michigan, which was short-lived due to your illness.

What wonderful life lessons you taught your children to carry into adulthood and how proud they were of their Dad and how much they loved you. They are forever grateful for the delightful and precious relationships they had with you. You and Ruth have raised them very well with a wonderful married relationship. What a great gift you gave us and yourself by packing so much life into so little time. We were so proud when your first born daughter Amanda became our first grandchild and Grandma & Grandpa Reid had their first great grandchild.

Please allow us some time, and some space, to cry, grieve and mourn in our loss. For you were vital and full of life for your family, your friends, and your community. That which you gave was reciprocated, as evidenced by the outpouring of love and care of others during your celebration of life. You were a wonderful loving son who was deeply loved and you will be in our hearts forever. We miss you, especially your phone calls, your smile and that tinkle in your eye.

Love Always,
Mom and Dad

Hope you enjoyed the quilt show.  Take care.

.

Progress Update

If you read my last post, you know I was at the hospital headed for surgery.  The surgery went well with no complications.  The pelvic mass was a cyst and there is no evidence of cancer.  The other mass was attached to my stomach, and was completely removed.  No evidence of cancer around the GIST tumor.  However, because of its' size and the fact that these tumors have a tendency to turn into cancer, I will have to be monitored and possibly take some medicine for a while.

Recovery has been a bit slow.  I thought I was headed home on Thursday.  I was slowly eating again after no food for a week.  They removed a small portion of my stomach, and it has caused a bit of a problem in keeping any food down. So, it's Christmas Eve and I'm still here at the hospital.  Today was a good day.  I think they've got the meds figured out and my body is starting to work as it should.  If all goes well, I should be able to go home tomorrow.  I know it will be a slow recovery, but I'll be happy to be at home with DH and my fur "boys".

Thank you for all your kind words, well wishes and prayers.  I think they worked!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas.
Karen

Life is Tough Sometimes

It's been a while since I've posted, partly because I just didn't feel like posting. Perhaps there was a bit of depression with my brother's death.  Then, it was a pretty busy year at work as our company changed hands (again) and we had some major work to do from the acquisition.  Then, life got in the way.  This is not a quilty or fun post, and it goes from bad to worse, so if you want to skip the rest of this post, I understand.  I do feel as if I've made many blog friends however, and felt I needed to update my friends on what is happening.

In September, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.  I've kind of taken charge of the situation, making sure that I try to make it to the important Dr. appointments and that she is not alone for chemo treatments.  I had no idea the kind of time and effort that goes into cancer treatment.  My mom had a short set of radiation treatments, 3 chemo treatments, and many more consultations and blood draws than I can count.  Her health was compromised with lung disease to begin with.  The pain that drove her to seek medical attention has mostly subsided, so I think the treatment has been effective.  We are hoping that 2-3 more chemo treatments will do the trick and then it will be a watch and wait situation.  She and my father did manage to make a trip to Florida at Thanksgiving time to see her grandson graduate from firefighter school, and to meet her new great grandson.  They had a good time, so I'm glad she got to do that.

Fast forward to this week.  I was having lunch on Wednesday and felt really full after I ate.  As the day wore on, I got more uncomfortable, and I certainly didn't feel like eating dinner.  After an uncomfortable night, I had my DH take me to the emergency room.  After several tests, it was determined that I have a rather large tumor pressing on my stomach.  I haven't been able to eat anything since Wednesday and it is rather painful.  The tumor could be benign or malignant.  Rather than delay things with additional testing when the outcome is that I'll have to have the tumor removed anyway, it was decided to go ahead and schedule surgery to remove it.  In addition, I also have an enlarged ovary that they want to check at the same time.  They won't know anything about these 2 masses until the surgery is done.  So, tomorrow I will be in surgery.  I will try to update my friends on the outcome when I feel well enough to do so.  I've delegated care of my mom over to my siblings as I have to take care of myself now.  DH has been a big help and a great comfort.

So, that's why you haven't heard a lot from me this year.  Prayers right now would be helpful and appreciated.  Thank you to all my blog friends.  I feel like I've gotten to know many of you through your blogs and facebook, and I really appreciate all of my friends.
Take care,
Karen