I have been battling a bit of a flu bug i think. Needless to say, i havent had any interest in anything beyond bum radius of the couch, the remote and my box of tissues. I think i beat it with my magical bottle of Bee Propolis and Elderberry Extract and am back at about 95% full swing. The thing is, no matter how detached I become from the world, the world doesnt seem to pay attention and just keeps moving forward. It does feel rather good to jump off once in awhile and create a cocoon around yourself but getting back on can be the real challenge!
I had a remarkable moment of right place, right time, to help me climb back up.
I had to drive up to Olympia for a funeral on monday. This may not sound like a real energy booster but I love Olympia and still feel like it is home. It was also wonderful to see the family together from all corners of the country and spend time visiting. Grandma was 93 when she passed away. She would have been honored by our celebration of her life. Having lived in Olympia myself for 18+ years, it was inevitable to run into a familiar face or two. I have so many memories within this small community.
At the funeral luncheon, a woman I knew from my high school days sat down next to me, “Sarah! we were just talking about you this morning!” (i hadnt seen her in about 5 years). She mentioned that she was cleaning out some of the church banners and several of my mom’s banners werent going to be used anymore. Would i like them? I should add here that banner = 50-100 feet of embroidered fabric with some catholic motif on it like the lamb of god, a risen Christ or an enormous rosy cheeked angel. But these banners were also hand-sewn by my mother. i have such memories of a pair of 50 foot angels stretched from one end of the house to the other with my mom sewing each detail by hand. She patiently taught me how to make french knots, sew on beads and slipstitch. While i “helped” sew beads or at least show her a dance routine while wrapped in the corner of fabric she simutaniously controlled the the cat crawling under the banner or sleeping on the banner and a dog and a dad and a daughter tripping over it, spilling things on it…etc. I dont know how she did it but her banners were used for decades in the church for every season.
Now their time is up. I took them all home. I have 10 banners in my car. Ten. Bless the church ladies hearts but i will not be using the banner with the huge cross and the crown of thorns on it as my bed spread. I will also not be cutting them up or throwing them away. They are part of my past and such a part of my mom and they have earned a place with people who will appreciate them. I just have to figure out where that is exactly. Know any church that is in need of some banners?
and then some things never change
