Thursday 22 November 2012

Giving thanks....

The Thanksgiving holiday is an American tradition I think we would all do well to adopt.  I don't necessarily mean the whole overeating of turkey and pumpkin pie bit - let's face it in less than a month we'll already be eating our own body weight in turkey!

But the spirit of the occasion is something we could all take time to sit back and think about, and in spite of whatever situation we find ourselves in, it is great to remember the good things we have.

After horror of losing my mum, it's hard to be thankful for anything.  But I am thankful, for the facts that I had her in my life for the time I did, that she made my dad so happy and that she gave me four wonderful sisters, and, indirectly, a niece and nephew I adore.  

I'm also thankful for the doctor who happened across her accident in the minutes after it happened, who stopped and helped my mum and stayed with her in the ambulance as far as the first hospital so she wasn't alone.

And, strange as this may seem, I'm thankful the other person involved wasn't more hurt.

This quilt is the first proper one I made - it's not necessarily colours I would now choose, but it was made from bunting I made for her 60th birthday party.  I had to find a pattern I could cut from 19" isoceles triangles!  Each square was hand-pieced, then all machined together and I hand quilted it.  I have a wonderful photo of it, gracing a bed in her home, with a message telling me she would treasure it forever.  It took me two years, and she deserved every single second I spent on it.

I'm also thankful for my other family and friends, who have been the most amazing support over the last few days.  I don't know how I would have got through it without them.  I also really appreciate all the lovely messages I had from people all over the world, many of whom I've never met but who read this blog, wishing mum well, and keeping her in their prayers.

And, lastly, I'm very thankful for my lovely partner, Patrick, and Daisy and Bella, my furry child substitutes / book ends, who've looked after me brilliantly, and let's face it, are the perfect excuse for gratuitous dog photos.


So, what are you all thankful for?

11 comments:

  1. hey pennie. I lost my mum this year to lung cancer (about 5 months after the diagnosis). I am thankful that she gave me 4 amazing sisters too and that any ability I have to create comes directly from her. I can't say it's been easy and sometimes things fly out of left field and knock you for six when you least expect it, but by thinking about the good times and being thankful for them, I have been able to deal with her passing better than I thought I would. I wrote and delivered the eulogy at the funeral and this was very cathartic for me.

    Thinking of you and your family. We're facing our first christmas without mum and so I can appreciate how difficult the coming weeks will be for you. Hugs x

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  2. It looks amazing! It is so beautiful... It deserves to be treasured for life. I do remember when you were making the bounting for your mum's bday, which I also found very pretty.
    Happy thanksgiving!
    Isabel

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    1. Thanks, Izzy, hope you're well - long time, no speak! xx

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  3. again, all I can really say is xxxxxxxxx

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  4. Thankful for the friends I have... Thinking of you Pennie x

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  5. I am thankful that I joined the LMQG and met you xxx

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  6. I'm actually thankful that you are finding a way through this horrible time. Have been thinking about you xxx

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  7. Thankful for so many things. Thinking of you and your family Pennie

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  8. Oh Pennie you have been in my thoughts a lot. Today I am thankful my Mum's scan revealed a huge kidney stone and nothing worse xxx

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  9. Special heartwarming thoughts to you and your family....I'm thankful for each morning I wake and can get up out of the bed knowing that someone cannot. I'm thankful for each and every moment I get to spend with my kids grandkids and husband as I am fully aware any one of us could be gone in a heartbeat...

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  10. Hi Penny, I haven't visited your blog in a while and so was very much in the dark about your mum yesterday - I must apologise for this, much love and strength to you and your family. Dianna

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