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I lifted the lid from the box upstairs ~ "This certainly has to go..." ....I shouldn’t have taken the lid off~ There’s so many patterns I know. I had thought I’d piece them together to be A tapestry of my years ~ A quilt to treasure for myself; Reminder of joys and tears. ...My fingers passed tenderly over the lot ~ A garment from so long ago, When I was young and ambitious ~ My hopes were all aglow. Here’s the paisley from Aunt Eva, (So pretty in that special dress!) The plaid from little Jackie’’s shirt Whose now gone to Heaven’s rest. A hound'stooth check, a polka-dot; A piece from my little boys’ blue - (For both had worn those coveralls and Both had loved them, too) I laid some of the pieces together ~ Why, they would fit just so! They had a common color ~ Oh, let that straightening go! I brought out the iron and the scissors ~ I straightened and cut just right; I pieced that fabric together Before I came to night! The new quilt wasn’t really 'new' ~ It wasn’t large ~ but, say! I wouldn’t take a million for The memories of that day! Might there be a seamstress angel Sent out to collect loving deeds? Maybe He lays them together To judge what else He needs? ...When I reach that land of forever, I’m gonna look for the quilting frame ~ To search and seek a familiar piece ~ Something that bears my name. I won’t care if it’s in the middle or Just a strip that is sewn in free, When God spreads out that beautiful quilt And explains it’s design to me! ©Joan Clifton Costner "....be acceptable in Thy Name, Oh Lord." |
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