There are so many things that don’t make it here lately, but I’ve been writing to you all in my head.
I can now officially tell you how to watch Jefe take bars off a window, where to not sit while gardening in my yard if you don’t want ants to go up your shorts, and that there are three layers, not one of wallpaper over the plywood used for walls in my kitchen…
In between home, I took a road trip to Walla Walla to do workshops with a wonderful group of ladies. There are good people out there, especially quilters. We had such a great time that they invited me to be the featured artist at their 2015 show.
I totally scored some Catherineholm for nothing while there. Always good when the price matches your budget;)
Coming home to this beautiful beast blooming was the best.
And finally I couldn’t be more pleased than to spend my afternoon getting ready for my class tonight and finally spending some time in my studio (bar free).
Honestly, with the move, no studio, and driving Roan into his old school for the rest of the year (3 hours in the car a day) sewing just hasn’t been happening so much, nor blogging. I’m fully aware that Blogland can be so polished and I have all of these wonderful things going on in my life, but you know that “make the best of times in the worst of times? Well, we’ve got that going on. If you’ve been following my blog over the years you know our family has survived years of kidney failure until a beautiful kidney came our way and breast cancer, and in December my brother-in-law was diagnosed with ALS.
So I’m taking the do what you can approach to my days and trying not to kick myself around when I don’t make it to blogging or other ‘extras.’ I want to leave you today with some words he gave us all that I’ve been trying to embrace. It’s the cut and dry version, but you’ll get the point.
Many people have offered their assistance and “anything they can do.” There is one thing. What I would ask of everyone who cares is that they take this news as an opportunity to take a breath, take stock, gain perspective on their life and use this as a positive catalyst in whatever way works for you. In the wake of this development – life has taken on a certain intensity for me – insert whatever cliché you want here – but basically the value of every moment/day/relationship is magnified.
Instead of just spreading a piece of bad news – my hope is that people can channel this into some kind of positive effect on their own lives. In answering your question of what you can do – that is what you can do. That would be most helpful to me.
I hope you all can gain some positive reflection for the day!
Mine is to make time with friends and family a priority, because it makes me happy:)
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P.S. If you haven’t ever watched the documentary Happy, I recommend you do.
Thanks for the wonderful thought! I wish you and yours sunshine and warmth for your future.
Golly that Wisteria is just divine. I love that colour. I had one growing at my last house. When I moved out the new owners removed it. Vandals!
Where is Walla walla? Such an Australian sounding name.
What a gorgeous wisteria! Your squares are neat to look at in their un-stitched state!
I totally get you about not sharing all the bad news and the polish of the Blogland. There’s a line. 🙂 Hugs to you and your family. This is a beautiful post.
What a beautiful and wise quote from your brother-in-law. I will try to do this in honor of him and you! With struggles happening in my life now and affecting my creative world as well this is very apropos. Thank you Katie
good thoughts your way too lady! xo
Life’s ‘happenings’ have a way of putting things into perspective and sorting through to the “heart” of what’s of true value. An event such as this has recently occurred here, too, and “taking time to smell the roses” and give loved ones a hug become priorities. My “go-to” activity at times like these is prayer to the One Who is control of the seeming chaos and unexpected/”no human solution” events. Hugs and blessings to you and your family…………………
It certainly does make you stop and smell the roses;)
:-}
Love you lots dear Katie!
A wise, wise man. I shall remember that. Perspective is everything.
I have lost two wonderful friends from ALS. Both were beautiful men, with deep hearts and incredible minds. And families. Both were in their 30’s. One went on a cross country vacation with his family (we were all in the hiking club together). the highlight of his trip was the afternoon his wife put his wheelchair on the porch of their rented cabin in some remote park somewhere so he could watch the sunset while she took care of dinner. She never noticed it when he rolled off the edge of the porch and down the mountain. He said it was the most thrilling ride of his life! She still smiles when she sees a sunset and says he went flying off into that sunset that day..
I am so glad she can think of him flying down that mountain, rather than her last glimpse of him after the disease consumed him. I hope you and your family can have that same opportunity.
Oh Katie, I’m so sorry to hear about your BIL. My sister was diagnosed with ALS at 35. It was very hard to watch her go down that path but she dealt with it so much better than the rest of us. My your BIL have a gentle journey.
My heart goes out to your brother-in-law, you, and your family. My dad battled ALS for two and a half years (maybe more to tell the truth). He passed at the age of 79. My mom took care of him to the end. The generation who takes ‘in sickness and in health . . . til death do us part’ seriously. She never once considered putting him in a nursing home no matter how hard it got for her. God bless you and yours.
We’re family here too;)
Praying for your brother-in-law. What wisdom and clarity from him! I lost my dad to ALS. I look forward to a time in the future when it no longer is cause for losing loved ones. (If he has served in the military, there are benefits he may be eligible for.)
xo
I cut and pasted his words into my “words of wisdom” document. Perspective– what a powerful word with more than one meaning. I’m contemplating it right now. best of everything to him and your family.
So true! xo
Your brother in law is a smart man.
Long story short, I was having a conversation with a family friend who’d recently returned from a retreat for breast cancer patients and their partners. He told me how shocked he was at the terminal diagnosis patients. They had a much better attitude towards living. Many saw it as a privilege that they ‘get to die’. Meaning they knew it was coming so they made the most of living, instead of wasting time on stupid things, bad attitudes. It’s always stuck with me.
Big hugs for your family.
Hugs. I’ll try. Thank you.
Wow, thank you for sharing your BIL’s words. They “struck a cord” and certainly made me pause… and will continue to do so. Blessings for you and yours as your travel this unknown road.
I just fell in love with Catherineholm. Very cool. I think I need some!