What Will My Quilt Look Like?

With Christmas approaching, I'd like to share on of my favorite writings with you.  I originally wrote it in December, 2008:

There was an empty seat at our Christmas dinner table this year.  Grandpa passed away on August 17, 2008, leaving a huge vacuum in our tight-knit family.  Grandpa was not just any "grandpa" to me.  He was the Best Man in my wedding, my roommate for 14 years as I grew up, and my mentor & friend who taught me that there has never been a better golfer than Tiger Woods.

Eight of us sat around the Christmas tree, remembering that last year it was nine of us.  Mom and Dad had special gifts for us three pairs of "kids-and-spouses" to open at the same time.  We all seized the gifts and opened them promptly.  Then we froze as each of us, along with our loved ones began to cry.  Inside the beautiful wrapping was a quilt with a note that said in part, "This quilt, made of Grandpa's shirts, pajamas, bathrobe and jeans, was made with our love and tears for all of you to treasure and remember.  ~Mom & Dad"

I am looking at the quilt right now.  It is like looking at different parts of Grandpa's life.  I can remember different experiences and memories with him in each square.  The brown and yellow plaid shirt is one that I left at his house one time.  He liked it, so he adopted it as his own.  The bathrobe reminds me of last Father's Day, laying in Grandpa's room watching Tiger Woods dominate the U.S. Open on one leg and listening to Gramps share 81 years of life with me, my dad and my son.  The gray wool shirt is the one he would often wear to church to dress up.  Grandpa loved God and everyone knew it.  The jeans are tired and worn out.  He mowed, painted, nailed and built.  Grandpa was a hard worker all of his life.

Grandpa's quilt represents a life well-lived by a Godly man.  Each fabric is woven with years of experience and Godly wisdom that my family and I can model.  When I get old, I wonder what my quilt will look like.  The decisions I make today is the yarn that knits those squares.  If I am to pass on a beautiful legacy and heritage to my children, my choices happen now.  I just pray that my quilt is as rich, full and inspiring as Grandpa's.

Calvary Temple Christian School Main Page

Comments

[Becky Rajeski]

Thank you for sharing this - what a blessing to have such a godly man as a role model, and what a beautiful legacy!