Monday, August 8, 2011

Family and Flight Delays


We got a call from our daughter yesterday afternoon. She was safely in San Francisco – Yay! But her flight to Dulles was canceled – Boo! Instead of arriving super late she opted to take a flight out this morning. Spending the evening with new friends in San Francisco, a city she has never seen may have played a part in her decision! I totally understand – even if it means we will have less time with her. She leaves later this week to go back to school in Georgia.


We missed her at our family gathering yesterday afternoon. We celebrated my step dad’s birthday. Having the family together reminded me of this lap quilt we made last year for my step sister who was having some health challenges. Blocks were signed in California, Minnesota, Georgia, Maryland and Virginia. We are a big family- brought together back in 1976. My mother was a widow with 4 children and the man she married was a widower with 5. Not an easy feat, especially since most of us were teenagers at the time, but they made it seem so. We probably get along as well as or better than most “regular” families. Even though they are in their 80’s we still gather at their house for holidays and when those who have moved away are back east for a visit. The step designation almost seems inappropriate now.



I added this sentiment to two of the blocks –
 
How much like a patchwork quilt we are;
Some of us are bright and gay,
Some are quieter, more delicate and subdued.

Yet how well we blend together,
The quieter ones set off the colorful
The brighter ones accentuate the pastels.

Often the more fragile pieces
Hold the sturdy ones together;
Blessed are we to be varied.
 
All of us are stitched with love and tied to one another.

-Author Unknown

I would venture to guess that Anon,
who wrote so many poems without signing them,
was often a woman.
– Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own

I Googled “Anonymous was a woman” to see who to attribute it to and found this interesting article in the Yale Alumni Magazine titled Your Favorite Famous Quotations: Was it by Voltaire? Yogi Berra? Or Some Woman You’ve Never Heard Of?

My pink plaid chair – 




I love it because it is small – it doesn’t take up much room and when I sit in it I can lean back and my feet still touch the ground!

17 comments:

  1. Enjoy your visit with your daughter...hope she arrives safely. Thank you for sharing the signature quilt. It is lovely.

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  2. How refreshing to hear of a step-family that worked!
    The quilt for your sister is a great happy, scrappy creation with a beautiful sentiment.
    Thanks for showing the whole chair--very cute! Great job recovering it.

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  3. Your family sounds wonderful Maureen. A pity your daughter missed the gathering but sometimes these things are out of our hands. Love the lap quilt and it's significance.

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  4. I love the quilt and the story behind it is lovely. A real Brady Bunch family!!

    What an adorable chair!! I want one!!

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  5. Love this beautiful siggy quilt.....and that poem is so perfect! Hope your daughter arrives soon, but how nice she can see a little of SanFran....it's really a beautiful city.

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  6. Sweet quilt with beautiful fabrics too!

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  7. You must be short - I am, too. So many sofas and chairs made today make me feel like a little kid! Your sweetheart chair is charming!
    Love your quilt, and the quilting :)

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  8. I am short too! Love the darling chair!!!

    Enjoy your visit with your daughter.

    Thank you for sharing your delightful signature quilt---a treasure for sure.

    :) Carolyn

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  9. Love the patchwork quilt and love the Anon poem as well!!! I love your plaid chair, it looks very comfy!!!!

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  10. I like the sound of your patchwork family. I wish all families were so happy.

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  11. Love the quilt and the story behind it is nice. Glad to hear your daughter is back to the U.S., even though she is still enjoying her extended trip in S.F. where one of my most favorite cities! How fun!!

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  12. Enjoy your family. It sounds great to me.
    Love that beautiful signature-quilt!
    Hope your daughter has a safe flight and you all can enjoy eachother!

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  13. How wonderful to have a loving blended family. the quilt is great and the I love that you added words and quotes!
    the chair is beyond cute

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  14. I love the inscription on your quilt blocks.

    Happy Birthday to your step dad!

    That is a very cute chair! :)

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  15. What a beautiful family story and how wonderful that you still get together to celebrate those special times. Hope your daughter's flight is on time so you can spend some time with her. Love the quilt!

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  17. Such a special family quilt. Thanks for sharing its story and those quotes.
    That's an adorable chair.

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