Pieces of Love

Sewing has always been part of my forte'... with 4 years of HOME EC, I was toying with the idea of teaching that...but nursing won out. Home Ec teachers didn't wear cute white starched caps on their heads or white uniforms and white nylons and clean white shoes...and that was my fantasy!!

I made my Wedding gown and most of the bridesmaids dresses for our wedding. There isn't anything I won't tackle...O.K., I might not get a project finished, but I will start something new.
Our daughter-in-law sews as well. She has been yearning to learn how to quilt. I really don't know how, know that I could read the directions in a book but - I really do learn best by hands on tasks. Last fall I took Wendy to this quilt shop not far away. It has tons of really cool fabric and a HUGE classroom in the back. We inquired about classes. They would let us know after the first of the year. So...Wendy and I are now taking Beginning Quilt Classes. The timing was perfect. They started 4 weeks after Bruce died. It has been good for both of us. We are learning a lot besides, it takes up one night that I am gone and not at home in our quiet family room.

When Bruce's parents were alive, in their 2nd story farmhouse bedroom sat a big old wooden box that had a fliptop lid. The precursor to the Lane Cedar chests and now the $6.99 plastic tubs. It was approximately 3'tall x 4' wide, and was on casters. It held all of the extra blankets and 'stuff' that one would store. Many times when we were visiting, we would go into the box to get out an extra blanket. In that box was the "QUILT TOP" that Bruce's mom was given when she was a little girl from her grandma. It was a crazy quilt made from all sorts of fabrics. Those fabrics were probably old clothes that were no longer worn or used. Bruce's mom, would recant the story to me each time she would come see it in the box. I loved how she talked about this quilt. I could tell it brought back many wonderful childhood memories for her. She was quite young when she received it. I only know this because she would point out the embellishments she made to the quilt. In the corners she had put her initials, DV for Donna VanOsDoll, in a sort of embroidered straightstich. Much like I remember myself learning when I was about 8 years old. The stitches were not uniform at all. Other little things had been attempted in other corners of this quilt. As the farm got sold, and we were going through this box...I put my 'dibs' in for this quilt top. We also took the box and still have it out in our garage. It is made from wainscoat-like material. (sp) Anyway... I eventually found a lady from VietNam who spent an entire winter refurbishing this quilt. Repairing and replacing a few of the pieces, she also added a back to it. It has hung in our living room for years. A crazy quilt means that each of the pieces are different sizes. Of course, that was an entirely handsewn quilt.

Yesterday, I reluctantly went through Bruce's clothes . My sister, Nancy has been up visiting for a few days. She is an organizer with a capital O! She had offered while she was here to help me 'organize or clean out' whatever I might want help with. I had a hard time wanting to get started on any project, let alone this one. The week after he died, I had told more than one person, I was going to get rid of his clothes. I had said, "I know, his clothes aren't going to bring him back." In the weeks since the funeral, I have found myself opening up his closet less and less. Not wanting to think about this task that was looming before me. So...yesterday bright and early, I knew Nancy was going to want to get started on "whatever you decide you want my help with", she had said. So...dragging my feet, I first chose the closet in my office. Plus, if that went well, then maybe I would see how I was feeling. After lunch, when that project was completed, she said; "Well, what's next Debbie?" Then we went into the closet in our spare bedroom - where most of my clothes are kept and some of Bruce's off season clothes. As I began to pull the first of his shirts out of the closet, the tears began to flow, I tried to hold back the sobs and know that I could quit at any time. She wasn't forcing me, she was being quiet and patient. For my sister, that is not always easy. As I got used to touching his shirts, his pants, his sportscoats...the task began to get easier. And with that the idea began to sprout. That was, what I wanted to do with them. Of course, I want the boys to go through what they want of their dad's. I know that won't be that much. Their tastes are 30years younger. My friend Connie, had suggested to me a few weeks ago to keep some of his shirts as she also quilts and had an 'idea' for me. So...the shirt pile for the quilt began to grow. Then I decided I could do the same thing with his jeans. Soon, I found myself getting a bit excited about how these quilts will look. I want to make one for each one of the kids plus myself. Bruce was a sweater vest guy! He has several. He also loved to tie a great tie. Somehow a sweater vest and tie will get appliqued onto these quilts...and the pieces of love will remain not only in our hearts and mind, but we all can get wrapped up in the good memories they represent.

As my fingers fly on the keyboard this morning, a few tears well-up in the corners of my eyes, yet I feel excited for what lies ahead. Yes, I know Bruce is not coming home. His clothes are in the trunk ready to go to Treasures. A few baskets remain for the quilts and a pile for the boys to go through. When it is all said and done, his leather jacket will be the only remaining piece that won't leave this house until I do. That is the final word for now. LOVE, Deb