Tuesday's Treasure
Back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth and my eyesight was not what it is today (does anyone know of a Braille class I could take--age has not been kind to my vision!), I enjoyed counted-cross-stitch. Today's treasure is a piece I stitched for my Great Aunt and Uncle for their 50th anniversary.
Within the last two years, both of these dear relatives have passed away. I received this gift back when their children cleaned out their parents lifelong home to sell. It represents a time in my life that I had two preschoolers and two teen foster children in our home and an absentee husband, busy climbing the corporate ladder. Cross-stitching was therapeutic for me! And I was excited to put a personal touch on my gift, my Great Aunt was very special to my heart, she was my Grandfathers sister.
Growing up in an alcoholic family, my father always bashed my Great Aunt and Uncle. Keeping the dys in dysfunctional is an important tool in keeping your family isolated. As a young adult, after a lifetime of hearing bad things about these relatives, I apprehensively connected with them. To my surprise, they were amazing people, who did amazing things with their wealth of wisdom, talent, and resources. I treasure their impact on my heritage.
It seemed appropriate that I stitch I Corinthians 13: 4-7 in honor of their 50 years together.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
It is this model of love that challenges me as I love my husband, my children, my family, my friends, and how I am to love my prodigal. My Great Aunt and Uncle demonstrated that kind of love as they lived their life together. Now, each time I look at this framed gift hanging in my entry way, I am reminded of their love, how I have grown in their example, and the love of our Heavenly Father, who does not isolate, but gathers his family together in the circle of His abiding love! What a treasure!
9 comments:
What a blessing to have such faithful examples in your life! Now their legacy can live on in you and your example to others. Such a beautiful tribute and treasure!
what a blessing and what a beautiful work of art. I, too, Cross stich and have given several as gifts.
Beautiful.......
That's beautiful :) I haven't done cross stich, I usually do candlewicking which I'm so addicted to LOL
Mine is up too :)
I also used to cross stitch back in those old days - I did that tiny 18 count fabric! Now I can't even see the needle. I had them all over my house - it was therapeutic until I developed tendonitis. But I have them spread all over as gifts and in my daughter's house and in the basement - testament to the fact that I USED TO do creative things. I am so glad you got to have that one back - it is a treasured memory.
That is beautiful!!
Thanks for linking to me the other day. I have been on "sabatical" for awhile, but now I'm back. I just saw your comment to me the other day. :-) You're so sweet!
That's absolutely beautiful! I used to do cross stich as well and I'll have to post one for one of my Treasure Tuesdays. It's something I made my Irish grandmother and then received back after she passed away. Thanks for the idea!
My TT is up as well. Stop by and take a peek. :)
I've done a lot of cross stitching in the past, but not lately. Blogging is taking up a lot of the time I used to spend on reading, needlework, etc.
More than the framed piece of cross stitching, it's the memories that it brings to mind that is the true treasure. :-)
Lovely post...as usual. The love legacy of those who went before us is one of the greatest gifts we have.
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