Monday, May 26, 2014

Life goes on...



Hello friends...thank you for all of your incredible messages of peace and comfort that you have posted on my site for the last three weeks.  This has definitely been the saddest time of my life.  I find that I simply don't have the words to describe the profound sadness.  My father was my best friend and I was extremely close to my stepmother, my Mom (she has been a loving "mom" since 1973.)  Since my mother passed away two years ago, now I am, like many of you, without parents.  Time to finally grow up, I guess.


I have spent the past three weeks in their house, alone and not alone, as family came and went in waves.  I have been surrounded by their works of carpentry, woodwork, stained glass, and my quilts, hanging on their walls and draped over their furniture.


I did not take any pictures while down there, but I found a few in my computer files that were taken some time ago.  This is the quilt I made for their 25th anniversary, over 15 years ago.  It hangs on the wall near their dining table, even though I have wanted them to move it for many years due to the sun shining on it and fading it.


I designed a quilt for a block-of-the-month a few years ago, "Quilting Through America."  My Dad particularly liked it, so I gave it to him.  He hung it on a wall in a hall that would get no sun so that it would not start fading as the 25th anniversary quilt had done.  They both liked walking by it to get to their home offices every day.


In addition to being doctors, they were very creative.  My stepmother designed and made some of the most beautiful stained glass windows.  The square ones are 28" square.  The rectangular one is 16" X 30."


She loved birds and all growing things...I've always said she fed every bird and hummingbird in N. Alabama...



My dad was an incredible carpenter and woodworker, and together they built their home.  I would sit and look at every log, every board, every piece of trim, every floor board, every piece of homemade furniture and just feel awe struck.



My parents had wishes not to have a funeral or memorial service and wanted their bodies donated to medical education.  Just the family gathered on "the point" on the Tuesday afternoon, overlooking miles and miles of the county, and just hung out listening to the birds and the wind through the trees.  It was their favorite place on the property and will ultimately be where their ashes reside.





A lot of my future is up in the air right now, but I will continue to blog and post...quilting is still my "fabric therapy," and I will need it now more than ever.  My parents were very supportive of me trying to figure out how to make a living out of my quilt passion.  I am still committed to my fledgling pattern business and getting on with all my plans for future quilts!

If interested, you can visit their memorial page:

http://lemoneandleeyieldingmemorial.blogspot.com/


Teresa    :o)


22 comments:

  1. Teresa, Take time and breathe. Doing something to quickly can leave you with an uneasy feeling. You will find your path when it is time. Life's up and downs is something we are not prepared for. Keep busy with your passion and you will find your way. Chris

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  2. Oh, I truly do know how you feel being without parents. As Chris says, just breathe and get through each day. Wish I could come for a visit and give you a big hug or a dozen. Losing your parents is big enough change for now. Give yourself time to grieve and think about what is going to make you and your family happy. Hugs, dear girl.

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  3. I was just thinking of you this morning and wondered how you were doing I had checked your blog to see if you were back and it I had missed a post and then came in this afternoon and saw that you indeed were back. What a wonderful home your parents had - it is beautiful and the are you show will be perfect for their ashes. You do not say if you were an only child - I hope you have siblings and I know you have family of your own - grieve and things will go back to "normal" eventually.

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  4. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I cannot imagine how traumatized you must be and yet you sound like you are coping. what a beautiful home and the quilts and stained glass. One day at a time

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  5. I can only repeat the lovely advice given already. Take time, greive, breath and know we all send many hugs.

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  6. I have been thinking of and praying for you since your told us of their tragic death. Though I'm a stranger to you, my heart goes out to you and I am so sorry for your loss.

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  7. I've thought of you often these past weeks. Thank you for sharing those pictures and your thoughts. As with all things, all you can do is put one foot in front of the other and as said above, breathe.

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  8. As someone who also recently lost a parent, I can understand some of your feelings and what you're going through. My own blogging has become catch as catch can. Definitely take your time and do what needs to be done as you sort through your thoughts, emotions and interact with family and friends. I offer up prayer on your behalf to our Great Comforter and Lord, He has truly been my greatest comfort with days that are likewise unsure and will be for months maybe years ahead.

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  9. Thank you for sharing your parents with us through this wonderful post. They were so very talented and creative. Take care...

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  10. So sorry to hear about your dad's death. May your wonderful memories remain vivid in uour mind. Never easy. God bless you as you try to move foreard.

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  11. It is such an unreal feeling to lose a parent and to lose 2 at once, so suddenly must be extra difficult. Take one day at a time to learn to find your new normal. They truly seemed to be lovely people, thank you for sharing them with us in this heartfelt post.

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  12. As a wise friend shared with me when my mother died several years ago - "grief is some of the hardest work we will do in our lives." Profoundly true, the process is surreal and raw and unpredictable. But, amongst the sadness there will be moments of goodness (the smile of a child, the hug of friend, the kindness of a stranger). Take all the time you need -- very many of us understand! And thank you for sharing this beautiful post with us . . .

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  13. Thank you for sharing your parents' handwork with us. I am thinking of you.

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  14. My heart aches for you. I lost my parents when I was young. The first year was the hardest, going through everything without them for the first time. I have a happy and good life. I remember them all the time, but usually there is no pain or grief. I just miss them. My heartfelt wishes with you on your journey. Enjoy your memories and their legacies. God bless.

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  15. A wonderful memorial posting, Teresa; it is so hard to realize that you have become the "older generation"--thank you for sharing your parents' wonderful creativity with us...my thoughts go out to you during this difficult time....hugs, Julierose

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  16. I have been thinking, and praying for you. Lovely post about your parents. Lovely place to sit and contemplate.

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  17. Teresa, I just saw your post about your parents. I am so sorry for your loss and will pray for you during this time. What a beautiful tribute you wrote and how wonderfully blest you are to have those incredible memories. May you find comfort and strength from the Lord daily.

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  18. I've had you in my thoughts and prayers at this sad, sad time of your life. Thank you for sharing this private part of your life with us.

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  19. So glad you are feeling up to thinking about quilting and blogging... it's a wonderful post you wrote and a tribute to your amazingly creative parents! Take good care of yourself.

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  20. This post of your parents home and photos of the point are a beautiful blog memorial. Thank you for sharing and keeping us informed.

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  21. What a wonderful tribute to your parents; YOU are a wonderful tribute to your parents. Thank you for sharing their wonderful work with us. I have and will continue to think of you often. I'm glad to see you back, because fabric can indeed be your therapy, at least in part.

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