Patsy Owens

Yesterday, we went to the funeral for Patsy Owens. Patsy was a neighbor to my new family out here in the country.  She was a special needs individual, but clearly held many skills.  Patsy enjoyed hand-crafts: She made cards, crocheted, sewed, and quilted, to name a few. As someone who shares a few of those same hobbies, I suspect the thrill of producing something tangible that could bring joy to others was appealing to her.

She passed away on July 1, but as it turns out, the last greeting card that she made in her life was the wedding card intended for me and my new husband. We also received as a gift one of the last quilts she ever completed. It is a patchwork of bright florals and hand stitching.  My husband and I are lucky to receive a bit of her legacy.

Above is Patsy's last card. Below is the quilt we received. 

Looking at this quilt, some may see quite a disheveled arrangement. Seldom are the same fabrics used more than once and no two pieces are alike in shape or size. It's not perfect by any means, but it was made with thoughtfulness and love.

I had a high school history teacher who often said, "Art doesn't lie."  Good art reflects the society in which it was made. When I look at Patsy's quilt, and then I look out my window, I see a patchwork here as well. The different sections of land-- some pasture, some farmland, some fallow, some just grass-- all fit together as a piece of the whole.  Similarly, no two individuals in this neighborhood are the same.