Significant Moments

Yesterday was a signicant day in our family.  It was the Valete assembly for Noah, our second son, which signified the end of his formal high school education.  Of course the hard bit is still to come with two more months of study and exams but the mornings of grabbing a lunch and heading off to school are over for him as he moves into his future. 

As we sat in the assembly it was hard not to be overwhelmed with the emotion of it all.  Each boy filed in and took a seat in near silence.  I noted with surprise at how they had all grown into young men.  Young in that they still have so much to learn and men as they have learned so much. There was a sense of friendships in the room as they appeared to be glued together in the experience of what was happening.  St Aloysius is a special community that prides itself on appreciating every student.  In honor of that ethos, each boy walks across the stage as some of his special features are read out.  He would stand there in confident awkwardness before his peers.  He might play chess, captain a sporting team, be an actor, academic, artist  or anything in between but each one had contributed.  I blinked back the tears as they refered to our Noah as the gentle giant with so much to offer and attributes in so many areas.  It felt good to hear that they see what I see in him.  He is the one most likely to pitch in and help without any attitude at all.  He is the one to play his quick wit card when someone is out of line.  He is the one that never steals the limelight. 

The speeches made me think too.  Father Middleton talked of memories both historical and personal.. how they shape our being into what it is as a collective and as individuals.  It was clear that the memories so recently implanted in these boys minds would last the distance of lifelong friendships.  My heart went out to them as they step out into the world full of confidence and insecurity...full of the now as well as the past and present.  It was a special moment that lasts a lifetime.  Memories from nappies to driving lessons, milk bottles to beer bottles, play dates to prom dates filled my mind as I watched them arm in arm sing their school song at the end of the long day.    Would someone please get me a tissue!

It was all very sentimental until we were driving away.  At the block at the end of the street in no less than 15 minutes nearly the entire class was already in board shorts with beers in hand and headed in groups to the beach!  Of course they deserve a bit of celebration having worked so hard to get where they are today.

 

It is a significant day for me as well today.  Five years ago Kaffe said to me, "Darling, you MUST read Quilt Mania," and that simple emphatic statement changed my life as a quilter.   I immediately got a subscription and have poured over the pages lovingly ever since.  The magazine appeals to my sense of design...each issue is a collection of heartfelt quilts from around the world. The variety of quilting styles is vast but the common thread is a sense of individuality.  Each quilt represents a quilter, a quilter that is an artist with a voice. Traditional, folk, art, hand or machine pieced the quilts have integrity.

When Carol, the editor asked to publish my next book I was completely overwhelmed.  I am honored to be one of their quilters and proud to have a publisher that speaks directly to dedicated quilters. So today, after three years of stealing precious moments to make quilts and patterns I can finally say I am done with MY book at last. 

As we poured over the images (a process that takes many many hours) I was reminded of when we first met.  Many years ago I watched John taking photos and I fell in love.  I fell in love with his concentration, his focus and his eye.  Perhaps that is what make us as a team.  He has focus and I have...hmmm...not sure what I bring to the picture except maybe passion. So even though I had made all the quilts, John made them look beautiful.  It was exciting to see the results of our teamwork and the collective memory of my life as a quilter.

It occurred to me many times during the process of making this book that although I had made all the quilts they are but a representation of the learned techniques and influences of quilters I know and love.  Quilters that are long gone in history or sitting beside me today.  All these elements come together to make a new entity that is but a combination of so many. I can't help but say how grateful I am (thank you more please...) for the opportunity, the lucky opportunity I have to be able to put forward in images who I am as a quilter...because it really says who I am as a woman, the combination of memories both recent and old, collective and personal.  The truth of that is that when this book comes out it is an invitation to anyone to examine my style and select the bits and pieces that appeal to you...that add to your collective memory.

 

Anyway, as I looked at the Quilt Mania Autumn book catalogue I realised my book will be in the April 2012 issue!  OH how EXCITE ME!!!!

Phew...so many significant moments in such a short space of time.  I feel like I can finally exhale and start thinking about all the budding projects in my sewing studio at the moment.  We have the final graduation event tonight and then...and THEN...a Saturday and a Sunday with no sport or work!!!!! Oh be still my heart!

 

gotta dash.  k

Comments

[Chris]

Congratulations Kathy. Now you will need a PA for all the "business" stuff so you can make even more sewing and publishing!

[Cathy]

Wow, it's never quiet at your place Kathy is it?!! Congratulations to your young man, I have a young man finishing up this year too, it is certainly an emotional time for us Mums don't you think? A wonderful time in their lives. Have fun at the graduation tonight. And as for your book, I simply cannot wait to get my hands on it!! xo

[Cardygirl]

Special milestones at your place!

[Adri van der Zel]

Wow, you have been busy! Congratulations on everything specially your young son.

[Cille]

Congratulation :) I am sure this book along with the Materaial Obsession books will find a prominent place at my shelf.

It's funny with kids growing up. I find myself almost desperate at times thinking what I am about to loose and what will never come back - the small kid stuff - and yet something even better comes with them growing up. Beauty of life.

[Amy]

Kathy,

Thank you for sharing your life with us, the beginnings, endings and the maturing of it all. So very exciting! Congratulations on so many things. I am looking forward to pouring over your book life you do with quilt mania.

[LoriD]

A heartfelt congratulations to your son and you!! Both are huge accomplishments!!

[Sally]

What a wonderful time in your life! Congratulations to your son and to you as well.

[Steffi]

Dear Kathy,
I am a long time follower of your blog, but I think I never commented before (shame on me!).
I always enjoy your pictures of all the wonderful quilts, they are so inspiring!
Congratulations to your son and to you! I can´t wait to see your book and I am sure it will be wonderful!

[Barbara Craxton]

I love that you speak from your heart.
Looking forward to your new book,love Quiltmania.Spent some time in Annapolis with my husband and hyper three year old now 27.Loved it.I have a wonderful first edition of Beautiful Swimmers which I pulled to read again.Thanks for bringing back those special memories. Still mad I did'nt get to Sisters to meet you but all booked for next year.

[Pam]

Kathy, Look at you! A devoted Mother, Wife, Quilter, Friend, Author....it shows so beautifully through your family and art...thanks for making the world a good place for those around you!

[Elizabeth E.]

Sorry to be so slow to comment on these two auspicious occasions! (I've been in the Grading Galaxy and just got out.)

Congrats to Mom for having a son hit this age (that's a huge achievement!) and double congrats on your new book. I'm really excited about it and hope to order it as soon as you say the word. You've been really busy and it is paying off, I'd say.

I agree with the Kathy above me: thanks for making the world a good place!

Bravo!

[Moncler Outlet]

it even worse that he took this project from another person and proceeded to slop his crappy writing skills all over it.

[Susan]

Ah... a graduation and "the" announcement of THE new book... life is accelerating .... and still it will seem like forever for Spring to come. Really creative way you made the announcement and not a thread peaked ahead....

[Mary ann]

Homy! Congratulations on the book and of course congratulations to the the graduate.....a very auspicious day all around.

[Mary ann]

So weird' I'm sorry I certainly didn't start my last comment the way it posted.

[Meredithe]

Congratulations on finishing your part of the book - can't wait to see it!

[griffey shoes]

I have never read such a wonderful article and I am coming back tomorrow to continue reading.