When I'm gone

Recently, Joe Cunningham wrote a post about being asked by the husband of a quilting friend to come help deal with things in her quilting studio. The friend had not died, but was in nursing care with Alzheimer's disease & would never again make a quilt. Very sad in itself, but really, truthfully, there will come a time when each of us will be physically or mentally unable to continue doing our passion. The hard fact is: that's Life. In the comments, many offered sympathy for the disappearance of his friend, ideas for how to deal with her things & commiseration on all our eventualities when the contents of our quilting rooms would need to be dispersed. But the thing I found so sad was among the comments: one woman said she now only made quilts that she thought her children & grandchildren would like to inherit, not "following her muse" & it had taken the joy from her quilt-making. Now that is just tragic!

Shug & I have 3 nieces & a nephew, all sweet fans of their Aunt's quilts. In a way, this simplifies things for me -- that is, I don't expect my quilts to be absorbed by them. I'm sure they will each take some -- to use, to display, just for sentiment -- but I'm certain some will end up being sold & scattered to the winds.

I'm OK with that! Because I am also certain there will be someone like myself who will happen upon one of my quilts & it will speak to them: "This would make great dog bedding." "This would be useful to keep in the car for emergencies." "This would make a cute picnic blanket." "This would go perfectly in the guest room." "This would look beautiful on the family room wall." *Someone* will love & adopt my quilts like I love & adopt quilts. They will never know who made it, maybe wonder about me, but my quilt will be at home in their home.

To whit, my latest adoption: this sweet, simple log cabin. I would guess it dates to the late 40s to early 50s. There are a few feed sack fabrics, a flannel, a pique & quite a few woven plaids & stripes. It is hand-quilted, has a grass-green backing. I can't tell what's in the middle of this quilt sandwich, not batting, maybe flannel, maybe nothing (though the weight suggests something).
I really could not love it more.