I love having something tangible to show for the work I’ve
put my hands to. I’ve felt accomplishment in creating my own pottery in
elementary art and in baking my very first cake. Performing in a concert is one
of the best highs I’ve ever had, and after all the work I put into school, receiving
a college diploma was surreal.
put my hands to. I’ve felt accomplishment in creating my own pottery in
elementary art and in baking my very first cake. Performing in a concert is one
of the best highs I’ve ever had, and after all the work I put into school, receiving
a college diploma was surreal.
This list could go on and on, and I suppose most people
would agree there is a thrill in having something to show for all the time and
effort put into doing something and doing it well. We as people love
visible results; data; hard evidence.
So much of what we do with the World Race is the exact
opposite of this. There is so little tangible evidence of what we’re doing because
the real “goal” we are shooting for is a changed life, and I’m not sure you can measure that or hold it in your hand.
opposite of this. There is so little tangible evidence of what we’re doing because
the real “goal” we are shooting for is a changed life, and I’m not sure you can measure that or hold it in your hand.
What I do see are pieces; pieces of every shape and color,
working together and doing their share, whether that is buying a plane ticket,
doing an interview, commenting on a blog, or saying, “Hey. We care about YOU.”
working together and doing their share, whether that is buying a plane ticket,
doing an interview, commenting on a blog, or saying, “Hey. We care about YOU.”
The amazing thing about these pieces is that
when you step
back and take a look, you no longer see the individual squares.
You see one,
big,
beautiful piece of artwork
that somehow fits together into something
much
larger than itself.
when you step
back and take a look, you no longer see the individual squares.
You see one,
big,
beautiful piece of artwork
that somehow fits together into something
much
larger than itself.
As I begin to process leaving Port Huron, I am realizing how
much this place has become my home. I will be leaving a piece of my heart here,
and the things I am taking away are not those tangible kind. They are things of
the heart; things found from living in community and from watching families
live ordinary lives in an extraordinary way.
much this place has become my home. I will be leaving a piece of my heart here,
and the things I am taking away are not those tangible kind. They are things of
the heart; things found from living in community and from watching families
live ordinary lives in an extraordinary way.
There IS one tangible thing I am taking away from here,
however.
however.
While everyone else was watching the Super Bowl this year, Erin,
Laura and I began working on our very first quilts. (Surprised?! Me too!) With
our quilting expert and beloved teacher (whom we call Rabbi Joey) by our side, we have spent hours picking out
fabrics, measuring and cutting squares, and sewing pieces together. (I’ll admit; I’ve had to use the seam ripper quite a few times!)
Laura and I began working on our very first quilts. (Surprised?! Me too!) With
our quilting expert and beloved teacher (whom we call Rabbi Joey) by our side, we have spent hours picking out
fabrics, measuring and cutting squares, and sewing pieces together. (I’ll admit; I’ve had to use the seam ripper quite a few times!)
Although it was frustrating
at times, I became more and more excited with each piece that I sewed because
no longer were they individuals.
at times, I became more and more excited with each piece that I sewed because
no longer were they individuals.
I watched them become a part of something
larger, something more beautiful than individual squares!
larger, something more beautiful than individual squares!
One of the best parts of learning to quilt has been the time
spent with these amazing women. It has been a “labor of love,” so to speak, and
I know this quilt will be the most tangible thing I have to remind me of all
that I’ve learned in Port Huron.
spent with these amazing women. It has been a “labor of love,” so to speak, and
I know this quilt will be the most tangible thing I have to remind me of all
that I’ve learned in Port Huron.
It’s already full of stories, and I know there
will be more to come.
will be more to come.
