Sunday, May 27, 2012

the tattered roof...

i've been asked
often
over the years...
.

...to repair things
broken zippers
skirts needing shortened
waistbands that are too tight
pants that are torn
when this call first came in
i declined
time is not on my side
these days
the new friend
 arrived with it in a large bag
just the same
a queen size quilt
entirely pieced with houses
my mind rushed back in time
to my first days
of quilting
a teenager with keen new interest
yet hands of mature experience
i was once told


as i looked
 at the disintegrating fabric
and i listened to eileen
tell the story of how
she had been asked
to make this repair
for a nice gentleman
yet her aging arthritic hands
could just not hold the needle
or make the tiny stitches
anymore
i somehow realized this
was coming to me
for a reason


as i carefully removed the
salmon colored tattered roof
i recalled the night
so many years before
when i sat inside a tiny office
at the domestic violence shelter
holding the hands
of a woman
who just fled a dangerous man
with her children
sleeping on a couch
 in the next room
i shared a quilt block
 i had been stitching


it was the same pattern
 as the one i am now fixing
i remember telling her
not to be afraid for
she had a roof over her head
and a place where her kids
would now be safe
a few days later
she joined a quilt circle
i was teaching
 i had them make a house block
as a symbol of a
new beginning


all week as i worked on this quilt
customers were amazed
they oohed
and they ahhed
marveling that i would take on
such an endeavor
i shared with a few that
i'm just a social worker
at heart
paying it forward
with hands that were blessed
for needle and thread


the owner of the quilt
phoned yesterday
i could tell by his voice
he was pleased it was done
when a grandfatherly man
 walked into the shop today
i knew it was him
his physical physique matched
the tender voice on the phone
as i opened the quilt
his eyes filled with tears
the old tattered roof
was once again whole
he asked what he owed me
i had instantly determined
his smile was enough
to which he replied
how about if i make a donation
to that place eileen
volunteers
where is that i asked
the battered women's shelter
he replied
the tears had now
transferred
 from his eyes to mine
as i was just reminded
how beautifully life circles
miracles indeed

7 comments:

Kristen's mom said...

Wow, that is truly amazing. Life definitely does circle miracles. This quote reminds me of you...

"When we look back on decades of life we see that the seemingly insignificant things we do over and over actually weave the patterns of our lives. And if those small and simple things are good, we will end up having lived a fulfilling life-and that is a great thing.
~M.P. Hinckley

You are an example to all of us.

MoonBeam said...

What a touching story.

Unknown said...

I have this quilt on the machine at the moment that I somehow know it's to go to a lady who gave me a big hug on a day I really, really needed it...I only know her name, where she works, and that she gives great hugs when needed...this quilt will make it to her soon.
Thanks for sharing!
Toni
www.lifeinapinkbunnysuit.com

Tiffany said...

Amazing story that touched my heart!

slfranks4 said...

what a beautiful moment to share with us. thank you :)

tubilinha tiacarminha said...

Que linda você é mãe de Sara.Deus te abençoe sempre,as lágrimas foram transferidas para mim,obrigada.

JEllen said...

Translation: What your beautiful mother does Sarah. Bless you always, tears were transferred to me too. thanks.