| This weekend was our local Dahlia Club’s glorious exhibition at a local greenhouse, and I couldn’t wait to go see what monster blossoms these botanic aficionados would put on display this year. It is one of my favorite late summertime excursions…and it did not disappoint. Unfortunately it corresponded with some heart-wrenching news, about an old family friend who was killed by a speeding truck as he walked from his house to the neighborhood coffeehouse. Today I attended the funeral and it was very difficult. The slide show of their family photos were photos from my childhood because I grew up with this extended family. We lost the matriarch recently – at 101 she was still one of my mother’s best and oldest friends. I babysat for Tony’s kids in the seventies. They adopted 2 beautiful brown babies which was unheard of in this white community back then. He was a photographer, and a Quaker, and a genuine friendly optimist. Like me, he enjoyed striking up a conversation with a stranger. So as I heard the family remembering him and telling stories, it felt like even more of a loss. But then, I know he would prefer us to celebrate his life, rather than mourn his loss. If you have lost someone in the last few years, I know you can relate to the surprise of these intense mixed feelings. So from the photos I took at the Dahlia show, I dedicate this image to Tony. He loved hiking to the top of our Colorado Fourteeners with his camera equipment, trying to capture that feeling of being on top of the world. I hope he’s up on that mountaintop now, seeing past the limitless horizon of the Universe…and smiling. Every day is a Gift. Sharing your love of fabric, Luana and Paul See Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for travel images, watch our videos, or follow us on Facebook. Visit eQuilter’s Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter pages for Color and Design ideas. Quilt/Travel/Sponsor Calendar: Sept 21-23 – SAQA Conference – San Diego CA October 17-24 – Luana’s Polar Bear Tour – Churchill Manitoba Canada Oct 29 – Nov 4 – Houston Quilt Festival Feb 22-25 – QuiltCon – Atlanta |
