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Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Bindings and Friends..




I had the weirdest experience this morning. I woke up about 5:30am to the sound of BEEP from the power going off....and back on....and back off...and back on..and back off...I finally got up when it came back on again and dragged myself downstairs only to have it go back OFF again...right in the middle of my picking the meat out off of the bones of the turkey carcass I had cooked in the crock pot. PITCH BLACK. It was still dark outside...the whole neighborhood was dark....and I stood there in my kitchen in total darkness waiting for the power to flip back on..and of course it didn't!

I found my way to the drawer in the kitchen where the BBQ lighter is. It wasn't there! But I felt around for the spare, and found it still in it's package. I opened it by feel...clicked it on..and voila. A little flame of light. I made my way through the kitchen and family room lighting every candle and kerosene lamp in sight, and then recommenced picking the turkey meat off the bones, and bones out of the turkey meat by lamp light!

It was also very quiet in the house at this hour, and without TV or music, I was able to do a lot of thinking about my friend and her illness. (The power came on at some point during the morning) I went and spent a few hours with her this afternoon. It was very difficult. She didn't look like herself at all of course...I think she has lost 1/2 her body weight (which wasn't much) in the 10 days since I had seen her. I'm grateful for the time I got to spend with her today. She is in and out of sleep..(mostly in) thanks to morphine...but she did wake up enough to recognise me and I talked to her a bit....I am grateful for hospice care and that she is surrounded by her family and not feeling much pain.

I'll go spend more time with her tomorrow....I keep thinking of what an inspiration this gal is. She has been a real dynamo. She hasn't let her cancer slow her down one bit...Heck, several times I'd stop by to see HER, only to be told that she was out running this errand, doing this girl's on the run thing, or at soccer practice with her kids, or substituting school....you couldn't pin her down for anything! What an amazing lady.

I finished the binding on the 4 patch and furrows quilt. Here are some pics of the quilt hung on my fence outside, and my attempt to show you some close ups of the quilting...

Bonnie

10 comments:

  1. My best friend died of cancer almost 7 years ago and had to undergo very similar drainage treatment in her last few weeks of life - cancer is such an evil - I feel for you so much but am sure you are giving her great comfort by supporting her at this difficult time - may her passing be painfree - God bless you both

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  2. How sad Bonnie. I'm so glad you went to sit with her, I'm sure it meant a lot to her.

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  3. You are a good friend, Bonnie. It can't be easy to visit someone you care for, when she's in that state. It helps the family too, for you to go.

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  4. may you find her a good model of dying as much as of living... My prayer for you both is comfort...

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  5. My sister in law went through this same process that your friend is traveling right now. You being by her side now means much to her and will to you in the future. Cherish and sieze the moments. My thoughts and prayers to all of you at this time.

    Connie

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  6. You have made a great thing Bonnie, your help for it in this moment is important! True friendship is seen indeed in these moments!I will pray for you.

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  7. Blessings to you, Bonnie.

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  8. Bonnie, that quilt is just beautiful! I am thinking I need to make one like this - it is wonderful! And so simple! I love stunning simple traditional quilts!

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  9. Beautiful quilt!! Your cruise pics are great! I went on two cruises last year and have one already planned for this year in April. For whatever reason I never thought of bringing my handquilting on a cruise. I will have to get a baby quilt done for the next one. Great idea!

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  10. The quilt came out great! The green really pulls it all together. I'll say a prayer for your friend and her family. My Dad did hospice and I was always amazed at how wonderful the nurses were.

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