Celebration of Life

In the United States, July ushers in fireworks, patriotism, parades and picnics. It is a month of celebrations and celebrating. We remember our nation's beginnings based on change and separation and we celebrate independence, unity and pride in our nation's heritage.

Today, July 1st, was a 'celebration of life' in many ways for me, as well. Today, I attended a service of one of my quilting group's members, who passed last week from this world to the next. From this world with its trials, judgments, falsehoods and illusions to another world of unity, fullness, and completion.

I found her memorial service, her 'celebration of eternal life' to be deeply moving and filled with great love and deep meaning. This dear woman, passed on much too young for most of our time frames, but her life was based on a far different span than mortal man's...for eternity is endless.

As I listened to the beautiful expressions of love from friends and family and watched and listened to all of the lovely stories and remembrances, I was struck at how blessed we all truly were to have had Dixie in our lives. She was a unique and truly amazing woman.

I only knew her for 3 years, but like everyone else there, once you met Dixie, you were a friend forever. I spent many a Monday quilting group quietly working by her side, and on a greater number of occasions, working together. Whether she had 20 minutes or 2 hours to give, she gave it with a servant's heart, a pilgrim's purpose, and a saint's goodness. Thank you, Dixie, for being my 'forever friend.'

In honor and in service to that friendship, I made 13 of my patriotic morsbags...my eco-friendly re-purposed and re-useable cloth bags, and gave them out to my fellow quilters yesterday at our quilting group. Later, I learned that Dixie was an ardent environmentalist and supported re-using most things and that only added to my delight in my rush of last minute sewing.

I finished all 13 by Monday morning and handed them out, one by one. These bags were made using a fabric purchased at three different outlets at prices ranging from $1 to $2 a yard. But the fabric was too stiff and abrasive for wounded warrior quilts, due to their wounds. So, I re-purposed it into environmentally friendly, handed out for free morsbags.

It has given me great pleasure to work on this personal project and to give them away with love. It not only made me feel so much better (and truly happy inside) and it seemed so right at this time, and that place, to do just as Dixie would have done.

Godspeed dear lady, Godspeed