The Beth Lists
  • Homepage
  • Little Bear's Adventures
  • Diverse Dining List
  • 90 Notable Nights
  • Happy List
  • Quilt Adventure Blog
  • Not So Happy List
  • The Texas Twenty List
  • Mom's Picnic List
  • 18+ Dance Adventures
  • 55 Strangers
  • The Barbie Bucket List
  • 60 Celebrations
  • 57 Celebrations of the Fifties!
 Quilt Adventures

Missing My Quilt Groups

6/30/2016

0 Comments

 

​It's The End of June


It's been 6 weeks since I met with any of my Quilt Groups.  I miss these dear folks who make me laugh.  So I had a little laugh therapy, after all.  This photo below, is from my visit yesterday.  The rest are photos from past years... thrown in for fun.
Picture
A couple weeks ago, I called the directors at the centers where I do my Quilt   Gatherings. I told them I was going to have to take a break, to deal with breast cancer. I was touched by the support and well wishes.  I was reminded by all, to just get better and return as soon as I was ready.
Picture
But I have no clue when that will be.  I'm waiting on lab results to determine whether I do chemo before radiation.  It could be a very long time and that's tough to think about, when you know that some of these folks are here on this earth for a limited time.
​
Picture
Picture
I thought about Silverado, where I started doing Quilt Groups 6 years ago, when my mother was a resident.  I was already missing my visits there, where I have the added benefit of being reminded of my mom... with hugs from the staff who remember her. I especially miss the sweet residents I gather with.  But at least I don't have to worry about their concern. They don't think about me, unless I'm right there, sitting around the Quilt with them.
Picture
Picture
So today I was feeling fairly good, almost 2 weeks after my lumpectomy.  I felt like I needed to visit some of these special people, in case I am tied up with months of chemo.  I headed over in the morning.
Picture
Picture
I was greeted by a resident dog when I first stepped inside, and then I saw Betty. Her face lit up with recognition, so I plopped myself right down and shared her chair. She innocently asked, "How have you been?"  It felt so good to answer with a smile, "I've been good!  How about you?"  That was all that was needed.
Picture
Picture
There was music playing in the living room and a young man was engaging a small crowd with a Fox Trot lesson. I joined in a bit and " danced" with a few of my friends who are in wheel chairs.  We held hands and swayed and laughed. Ramona leaned in close and asked,   "Are we doing our group today?"   I was utterly surprised.  I'm usually recognized, but I have to remind my friends that I'm the "Quilt Lady".  I told Ramona that I had no quilt today... I was just stopping by to visit.
Picture
Picture
It was delightful watching the dance instructor, guide this special group.  One resident told me she WAS NOT about to dance, but he got her dancing. Another resident was cracking jokes and singing along with great gusto, yet when he danced with Ramona he was graceful and gentle. Then the music slowed down and I joined the group in a "Cool Down".
Picture
I sat on the floor between Carol and Mary and encouraged them to lift their arms and breath, like our leader... even though my right arm hurt and I was limited, like many of them.  Carol, held my left hand and beamed down at me.  "I just love to see you!"   
Picture
Picture
Then the man's calming voice began to walk the group through a relaxation exercise. I selfishly joined in!  The music was soothing and this guy was talented with his cues and guidance. I followed along as he asked us to close our eyes and feel different parts of the body relax. 
Picture
Picture
I was getting a therapy I hadn't expected.  Not only was I melting right into that floor feeling my stress lift, but I was also enjoying that tickle of humor... from when you're about to laugh.  Dear Mary, wasn't following his instructions from her wheelchair, but she was holding my right hand.  She gently patted the whole time, as if saying, "There, there, there..." And when I snuck a peek at her, she was grinning down at me... and we both laughed like misbehaving girls at church.
Picture
After the program finished, I headed down the hall and knocked on Charlotte's door.  It took her a minute to recall my face.  "Well, I don't have my quilt today..." I helped remind her. She sighed with recognition.  "Oh, yes!  I do love our discussions.  We always talk about the most wonderful things."  Then she showed me the camel saddle she'd gotten in Egypt.  Then I sighed over the artwork made by a Hopi Indian.  She was so delighted when I showed interest in her treasures. "You appreciate things, don't you?  When will we be meeting again?" Again, it felt good knowing I didn't need to be totally honest.  "Oh pretty soon. I'm planning my next theme."  Actually, I am.

Charlotte

​I walked Charlotte down to the dining room for lunch.  She chuckled about the large hall mirror, where we could check on our hairdos.



Picture
I got her settled and said I'd be back soon for our next Quilt Group. I felt like I often did with my mom, when I twisted the truth. Mom raised us to believe white lies are lies.  But I learned years back, that the rules are different with Alzheimer's.
I gave a hug and Charlotte laughed with a motherly bit of advice, telling me not to be some kind of "vital statistic".   It was a funny moment with an odd choice of words.  But we both laughed and I left wondering if she was giving me a secret message.  

What Did I Learn?  I always learn from my Quilt Adventures.  Today, I learned (without my quilt)  to trust my instincts.  I knew I needed a visit with my old gang, but I didn't know how much... until I headed happily to my car! 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    The Quilt

    For 20+ years children have called it the Magic Quilt.  They've danced and pretended all over these colorful squares.  I've dragged it to schools, shelters and studios where children have climbed on top to hear Magic Quilt  Stories and to act them out.

    I still regularly use the story telling quilt with children at a nearby  Shelter, but 7 years ago I started using the quilt on a table with a group of Alzheimer's  folks.   I was blown away by what these incredible people could share and enjoy, so I started up "Quilt Groups" at other centers.  

    In 2013, motivated by the warmth and generosity of the friends I've made through this quilt, I decided to start taking the quilt with me, when I vacation. So far I have met some wonderful adults and children while traveling and sharing the quilt in Mexico, N. Carolina, Utah, California, Mississippi, Chile, Mexico, Guatemala New Mexico, Bermuda and Honduras.  

    In this blog I will share about some of the adventures I've had near and far with the help of the quilt.  Mostly, I'd like to share some of the things I've learned along the way.

    Archives

    April 2022
    September 2021
    May 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Homepage
  • Little Bear's Adventures
  • Diverse Dining List
  • 90 Notable Nights
  • Happy List
  • Quilt Adventure Blog
  • Not So Happy List
  • The Texas Twenty List
  • Mom's Picnic List
  • 18+ Dance Adventures
  • 55 Strangers
  • The Barbie Bucket List
  • 60 Celebrations
  • 57 Celebrations of the Fifties!