time to talk real life....again.

it's sunday.

time to talk real life.

some days bring us shadows

that is, to point out the obvious, a part of life

we all have faced it at one time or another in our lives

but it seems we're in a culture where we are more rewarded

for being stoic, staying productive

keeping our head high

staying positive and joyful and happy

and moving on

I want to suggest otherwise

I want to suggest it's okay to be sad every so often

(rather than angry)

I want to suggest it's okay to be, as my neighbor said the other day,

emotional

be kind to yourself

give yourself space

and allow yourself time to turn your grief

into great stories about the person that make you laugh

or reminds you of the sunshine

instead of the shadow

quilters do that so well

we comfort people with quilts

(see this video about Missouri Star Quilt Company)

we make pillowcases from happy fabrics

do something to honor that place of loss in your life

and give yourself a hug

that will be the best positive joyful happiest thing you can do

HappiestDays.

Natalie

beyondthereefpatterns.com

be.do.create

fly high, Pete

(look at it this way - you got an extra 30 years out of it - it was well worth the tradeoff)

The Next Big Thing

The Next Big Thing....

lessons from A Quilter's Affair in Sisters, Oregon

and

Jenny Doan

I had the pleasure of speaking with Jenny Doan

of

Missouri Star Quilt Company

while I was teaching at A Quilter's Affair

What a pleasure, a privilege it is to just "chat"

And then.

Then she asked me.

"What's the next big thing you're doing?"

I froze.

What to say, what to say.

Told her about my upcoming fabric line with Windham Fabrics.

And we chatted about the upcoming event at Missouri Star,

The Birthday Bash.

As I was walking through the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show,

it hit me.

What my next big thing is for me, when I return home.

It is a visit with my neighbor and friend, Roger, 

who is turning a spry 90 years old this year.

THAT

is my next big thing.

We'll go for sour cabbage soup 

"it's only served on Tuesdays and Saturdays", he will remind me.

And then we'll take our weekly walk through Sam's Club

or Costco

We'll laugh and cry as we both tell stories about our pasts.

And we'll share wisdom of the ages.

He'll be polite and kind with my "energy".

He'll tell me to settle down a little bit

in the kindest way.

We'll joke about how much food we're both getting

and talk about the "best orange juice ever" 

from Sam's Club

(they squeeze it fresh for him)

And when I returned home

I realized also, what Jenny was telling me,

not asking me.

"What is the next big thing you're doing?"

She didn't want to know at all where I would be teaching

or if I was attending a show.

She didn't need to know where my travels would take me

or when my next fabric line was releasing.

She was coaching me, in the kindest of ways.

Same as my 90 year old friend.

Offering me some space to think about where my boat is pointed.

Where I'm headed.

The big picture.

Thank you, Jenny.

Thank you, Roger.

Thank you for taking time with me.

For asking.

And for gently guiding me along the way.

So, today, on this blog that is long overdue, I will ask you - 

What is your next big thing?

HappiestDays.

Natalie.

be.do.create

www.beyondthereefpatterns.com