This week we have 5 planets lining up in the sky, visible just after sunset. The last two weeks have seen once-in-a-lifetime blazing Northern Lights which have been seen all over the world, even here in Colorado, and as far south as Phoenix. I know because I have been following the #aurora photographers who have been staying up all night around the globe, to capture these amazing images. They have even captured time-lapse videos and uploaded them all over social media. On top of it all, astrologers have been buzzing about Pluto going into Aquarius. It has been quite a cosmic month!
On the other hand, if you are watching the news, it seems like humanity is on another rollercoaster ride. But you know, in the grand scheme of things, we are here just for a blink of an eye compared to the timespan of the galaxy. I think the Aurora Borealis spectacle has somehow come as a message to make us stop, look up, and contemplate our existence. We are all made of stardust, and in the grand story of the Universe, we will return to stardust. That is part of the story of my Stardust Mothers quilt, which has just arrived in France, and will be part of the quilt exhibit in Nantes next month. I am also thrilled to have just learned this quilt will be in a prestigious venue in Washington DC next year. So I am very grateful that my message about the generations of women who protect the planet and each other…will be seen by more people over the next couple years. I hope you are also making quilts to express your deep feelings. It is my form of art therapy, for myself, and for my viewers.
The news from Nashville yesterday is devastating, and because of this I was thinking about the community of Uvalde, still recovering from a school shooting. I was thinking about our contact there – Diana is a retired teacher from Robb Elementary who has organized a distribution of quilts to those affected by the tragedy – which honestly is the whole community since it is a small town. She contacted me today to express her thanks for all of you who sent quilts to Uvalde. They have received and distributed several thousand at this point, and the recovery is ongoing. We have successfully sent them a giant group hug.
Just remember when the world is unfathomable, we can put all our love and caring, and prayers for peace into the stitches of a quilt. My heart is broken, but this is still the best way I know to heal 2 broken hearts: by giving a comfort quilt selflessly to a stranger who has suffered such a loss. Keep your hearts open and remember that every single day is a gift.
Part of our commitment to be a Force for Good in the world, is the eQuilter Charity program. We are almost to our amazing goal of raising $2 million for non-profits and those in need!
Here is a letter (and other media) from a Mission of Love volunteer, just back from a mission to Guatemala. (Mission of Love is one of our 7 main charity recipients.)
Mission of Love video;
Some people think of community as their neighborhood or city. Others span the word to their country or even the whole world. This March, a prayer was answered and I embarked on an eight day medical Mission Trip to Guatemala through the Mission of Love to help serve their community. After raising money by selling cookies around my school, I packed up and flew to the heart of the Americas. Doctors, nurses and other volunteers worked together performing cleft palates surgeries, free of cost. The first day I felt useless compared to the life-changing surgeons, but little did I know that the next day, everything would change.
The next morning, the non-medical volunteers went to another location that required painting and light construction. We arrived at “Casa de Dios,” a small house that served as a temporary home for families with sick children who could not afford hotels while receiving treatment. Walking into the non-profit charity home, the sky-blue painted walls served as a cheerful backdrop to the bright-eyed children: some bald, some sleeping, and one without a leg. A nervous rush overcame me; I was unsure if the children would like me or understand my Spanish. I had taken four years of Spanish, but I doubted my ability to communicate. I smiled and waved to a small girl quietly sitting alone, wearing traditional Mayan clothing. She grinned, despite her cleft palate. I sat down in the empty chair next to her and gently greeted “hola.” Soon we were making progress speaking Spanish. Her brother had joined us, along with other curious kids. Soon we were sprawled out on the floor, coloring, talking, and laughing at my attempts to pronounce new Spanish words.
The next day we painted the sticky, hand-printed walls. The kids, happy to see the Americans had returned, watched in awe as we painted. I snuck back into the kitchen to ask if they had any extra paintbrushes. When I walked back into the room gesturing that they could help too, they eagerly rushed over and grabbed the brushes. Before I knew it, I was brushless! The kids were overjoyed to be part of the excitement, painting in every-which-way. When a child had to leave for their appointment, they reluctantly put the paintbrush down and walked out of the home, gripping their mother’s hand. Eventually they would return weak and tired, but smiling.
Before leaving on the last day, everyone from the home sang us a song in Spanish. As I looked at the children’s smiling faces I was overcome with emotion and love. The cook hugged me and whispered, “it is okay. They have changed your life and you have changed ours.” I realized what she said was true: a small change in someone’s life was made by taking a chance, experimenting with my Spanish, and offering a paintbrush.
Throughout the week, we travelled to different parts of Guatemala to help other people in need. I learned so much by watching Kathy work her magic and achieving the impossible through her gentle words and open heart. When I returned home, my mind was always preoccupied with the thought of the children living in such a poverty-stricken and suffering world, yet their attitudes and hearts were above anyone I had ever met. In my everyday life I think of the children and how they were always smiling and laughing.
Imagine if everyone was as joyful and pure as these children; how different the world would be. There is no cost; no labor involved. All we need to do is smile to a neighbor or offer a helping hand. The kids from Guatemala were able, even if they had no shoes. Kathy and Bob Price were able; always with an inspiring attitude that changed the world one smile at a time. In my own small way I think that I am able, and I believe that you can do it too.
Erin Ward ~ Mission of Love Volunteer
Mission of Love web site: www.missionoflove.org
Here is active link of our International Indigenous Mission of Love yearly newsletter;
Thank you for supporting our family business, and being part of this story of helping others in need.
Sharing your love of fabric,
Luana and Paul
Travel/Quilt Calendar:
April 18-26 – Pour l’Amour du Fil – Nantes, France
April 27-30 – Amsterdam, Netherlands
May 27 – Dairy Barn, Athens OH – Quilt National
June 8-10 – Quilt Canada – Halifax, Nova Scotia
August 18-24 – Bear Camp in Alaska
