February 2012 my fabulous
Chicago Modern Quilt Guild got involved with the
Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative. Since 2007
Ami Simms and her relentless crew of volunteers have raised almost a million dollars for Alzheimer's research. Fellow guildster Eileen O'Regan and I have had the luxury in our personal lives to be able to volunteer 20 hours a week to this organization. It hasn't been easy. During this time Eileen's father died, and my Alzheimer's mother has gotten progressively worse. Many in our guild made small art quilts for AAQI to sell or auction. Here's the one I made, Joyful Noise.
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My mom's sense of music is the one thing that remains vibrant for her. The top picture is the one Eileen made, and the one I bought. She named it "A Rich Life". There is a vibrant core, and this vibrancy fades closer to the edges. My mom is at an edge, and her vibrancy is gone. Sadness for my mom is tempered by so many joys in my life. One joy has been this new friendship with Eileen. AAQI is coming to an end in a few months, but I know we will remain connected. Tuesday some friends are coming over to work on a new bag/tote pattern. I have quilts rolling around in my head that I need to get out.
Life's sadness is tempered with life's joys. There is richness in both.
