As the years have passed the quilt has had some of its stuffing knocked out of it. The patches wore away and most recently my dog, Mallie decided she needed to help with the process. I keep thinking I should patch it up. Or maybe I should send it up to Connie and have her do it as she is much more likely to actually get it done.
Then I stop and think about how this quilt is such a picture of my life. There are patches in this quilt that are still intact and some that are frayed and the stuffing coming out. The patches that are still good represent those relationships in my life that I still have and those that are tattered and worn represent those relationships that I have lost either by intention or by death.
Recently I have experienced the loss of two people who had significance in my life. One a young woman the age of my children and the other a friend that I have had for over 35 years. Both of these losses have profoundly impacted me. You could say the loss has knocked the stuffing out of me. I have wept more tears since Christmas than I have cried since my mom passed away nearly 10 years ago.
I keep thinking I should patch up the wounds these losses have dealt me but then I recognize that the loss has drawn me to examine what really matters in life. I have always been someone who needed to be busy, to find fulfillment in my work or to be looking for the next best thing. But I realize right now where I am and the life God has given me is where I need to focus. The patches that are surrounding me right now are tightly stitched and I feel the need to protect that. And the patches where the stuffing has been exposed remind me of where I have been and who I have known. All a part of the life I have been granted. Not a day to waste.
So while I do feel like the stuffing has been knocked out of me - I am thankful. Actually blessed. And the soft, worn and warm patches of my life will continue to envelope me until the day God calls me home.
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