I made a couple of leg panels, and then I made a pink bird. YES, the bird's breast and wing fabrics were fussy cut to take advantage of the print. And yes, I cut a big chunk right out of the middle of the strip of bird legs so this bird could have some pink legs. Sometimes fabric just TAUNTS YOU. It says HEY LYNNE, PUT ME IN A BIRD!! And who the hell am I to refuse? So it was with the wing fabric here.
So WHY have a been a bit in the dumps? My Dad's Memorial Service is on Sunday, (yes, Easter.) The Lady Priest sent round a questionnaire asking for our thoughts about Dad so she could prepare her sermon for him. I filled it out on Sunday, after thinking about it for several days, so my Dad has very much been in my head.
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| The Lady Priest and my Dad |
What about him reminded you of God? was one of her questions. Well, quite frankly NOTHING, considering he flirted shamelessly with every woman he'd encounter, and how he'd always laugh at a dirty joke. But on the other hand, since I reconciled with him after our estrangement when my parents divorced, we never had an argument, and time spent with him was always pleasant and easy. We worked well together and had a lot of good times together. He was all about forgiveness and living in the moment (although I don't think he would have put it like that) and he believed Life could be as Happy or Miserable as you chose to make it. Which is pretty darned spiritual.
The Lady Priest (yes, the one for whom I made a quilt), asked if there were any particularly good stories. I shared this one. She also told me she'd hired a brass ensemble to play at the memorial. I suggested they play "When the Saints Go Marching In," because my dad proved that you could screw up big time, make changes in your life and become a better person, and that he deserved to be escorted into heaven with that song playing full blast.
So yeah, I've had my dad on the brain and in my head. But what I'm REALLY happy about is that we had those times. We had those memories. That I told him often how much I loved him, and how much I loved being with him. I have no regrets. Our "I love yous" were up-to-date.
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| Dad, telling me how much he loved the colorwash quilt I was working on. |
I'm bringing a whole box of kleenex to the memorial on Sunday, because I'm pretty sure I'm going to need them. But I'm not gonna wear black. I'm gonna wear the brightest thing I have, because I want to remember and focus on the JOY that was my Dad.
11 comments:
What a beautiful remembrance of all of who your Dad was, Lynne. I'm sure the priest appreciated your extensive comments, as will everyone who attends the service. I hope they play When the Saints Go Marching In! And I hope the service includes many wonderful additional stories about your Dad that nourish your heart and give you happiness as you think of him.
{{{{HUGS}}}}
I know a man who has the traits you mention of your dad's. He is still unconsciously all that, but he works hard in the service of God. His conscious efforts are to help others and to not be the person that he was. I didn’t know anything about your dad but having seen a struggle with bad human traits and the desire to be a better Christian I hope you can look back and know that not all paths are easy to walk. You see his love and his good points along with his failings and are indeed sharing your love in how you remember. Prayers during this very trying time.
Best Wishes for Sunday's Memorial of your Dad. How wonderful to have it on Easter.
I really like the background of this last picture you posted of your Dad. The quilt tops behind his head on the back of his chair, the quilt parts on the table, bunches of fabric seen behind his blurred right hand, squares of yellow and teal in front of bins on the right, binders on shelves, a piece of yellow fabric? on the floor, just lots and lots of stuff happening around those moving hands and face of your dear Dad. We can't see the colorwash quilt, but we can see all the other important parts of your life. Thank you.
I think some of my "I love yous" are out of date. Thanks for the reminder. What a beautiful way to think of it. Wear pink!
Lynne, I wish I could hug you! Maybe you're not into that, so here's a story: my mother-in-law (whom I loved with all my heart) wore a red dress to my father-in-law's funeral. They were conservative Catholics. Scandalous! But it was his favorite, and she loved that he loved it, so she wore it just for him. Oh, the people at the funeral talked! But who cared? She was happy to show her feelings for him one last time. I hope the memorial gives you everything you need, and that the Lady Priest does a good job. Perhaps When the Saints go Marching In could be the recessional? All the best, Mari
Beautiful post - I hope sharing your thoughts with the Lady Priest and all of us helped reduce "the dumps" just a bit. Facing a memorial service is emotionally challenging as are the hours after it is over. Take care and be gentle with yourself (and plan some sort of comforting activity for yourself that evening (long soak in your tub?). Many hugs.
I don’t believe in wearing black to Funerals or a Memorials!! Wear something bright and cheerful. I’m glad you had a new chance for you and your dad. You’ll have some good memories to cherish. I love all the pink birds you are making, they are so pretty. Hugs,
When someone is being escorted into Heaven with a celebratory song, then black is banded. It is after all a celebration of life. Where Pink!
And let’s make that say Wear Pink! Some people just type without checking their spelling…..
Goodluck at the memorial...... Serving hugs and yes celebrate the life and special memories you have......
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