Remembering Kerry With Love

Today is the second anniversary of losing my beloved big sister Kerry. Cancer took her from us too soon. Thinking only of positive aspects however I'd like to honor her memory today by showing you how she lives on in her youngest nephew, my #2 son.

Kerry was always happy to make things for others, be that on the computer, the sewing machine, in her kitchen or a variety of other locales.Her nieces and nephews loved to visit and learn from her as much as they loved receiving her thoughtful, creative presents as well as her guidance and support. She was a great treasure in our family.

 Here's a photo of we three sisters (Kerry on the right) on the last trip we all took together in April 2011 when Kerry did all the planning so we could be together for the New Zealand Quilt Symposium held that year in Queenstown.

Jumping right ahead to 2015...

Several months ago #2 son asked me if I thought he could make a quilt to give to a friend who was expecting her first baby. Thinking that "we" had time to make only one quilt I abandoned my idea to make a baby quilt and instead guided and assisted #2 son as he worked diligently to bring his creation to life. Not content with a simple design he chose a paper pieced pattern of sheep (for the baby was to be born in the Year of the Sheep) colored in a bold way. Explaining that a quilt with white sheep would not be practical for something designed to be used, #2 son chose to make all the sheep purple with one renegade pink one. The setting chosen was an attic window one; yes, those Y seams are not for the fainthearted beginner but he boldly stitched on.

Not content with all the detail on the front #2 son also put a lot of thought into the reverse side of the quilt. There are blocks of fabric featuring the rabbit and the dragon to represent the baby's parents. Then there is a label with his personal message to the baby and another one, at my insistence, with all the other details that belong on a quilt label like when, where, why, who.

I'd like to think that AK would be proud of her youngest nephew.

Here's another photo of the sisters trip to Queenstown in 2011. Kerry had organized an fabulous trip up through the Dart River valley towards the Mt Aspiring National Park. The bus pulled over for a photo stop near to this picturesque scene in the vicinity of Paradise. This resonates because we were the daughters of a sheep farmer and because #2 son made his quilt to feature sheep.

I miss most keenly the comfort of my big sister; a friend, a fellow quilter, a shoulder to lean on and a family gem.

Kerry left us on October 29 in the early afternoon in New Zealand. But because of the time difference, altho it is still October 28 here in the USA it is right about now that the spirit of Kerry fluttered away and left us.

Remembering Kerry.