Sentimental Stitches

Palm Sunday is celebrated today in many religions. It’s the beginning of
Holy Week and for me it brings a flood of memories I will treasure all my life. While growing up this time always brought new white patent leather mary jane shoes, a Polly Flinders dress, and a Easter bonnet to wear. Palms were handed to everyone as they entered church and we clutched them as if they were gold, waiting with excitement for the time to come when we would wave our palms to signify Jesus’ entrance to the city of Jerusalem.

In childlike anticipation I knew the coming week would bring fun times dyeing colorful eggs, getting my little basket ready for the Easter Bunny, our house smelling of lilies, hyacinths and daffodils and music.

Oh the music! I was blessed to have been born in a family where music always filled our house. The music of the church played a significant role in molding me into the person I am today. I may not always be able to tell you the exact scripture and verse to fit a situation but I can quote a hymn written to celebrate the scripture. I started piano lessons when I was 5 years old. I always fell for the offer of practicing my piano lesson instead of doing the dishes after dinner. I think my Mom just liked to hear me play while she cleaned things up. In later years it was me playing and Daddy singing while she did the dishes. Daddy was an award winning soloist blessed with an unbelievable baritone voice very much requested in churches and retirement homes especially during holiday times. We visited two retirement homes in the evenings during the week and two church services on Sunday where he sang. I usually accompanied him on the piano. I don’t know who was prouder, me of his singing or him having his daughter there with him. He was extremely generous in sharing his musical gifts whenever asked. More on Daddy and his music later in the week.

Today’s motif is from my very first quilt. Quilting was as important in our house as music was and when I said I wanted to make a quilt Daddy pulled out a set of antique bunny blocks, embroidery floss and thought they were a good place for me to start. I smile whenever I see those bunnies. They became my first finished quilt even if it was just tied. I published a pattern many years later and if you’d like to make the bunny quilt too you can purchase the pattern in the online store.

March 16 Motif
Block 16 will be in the online store in a few days

I’d like to leave you with a final thought for today. It’s the hymn “Now Thank We All Our God” traditionally sung on Palm Sunday. (Click on the title to hear the music.)

Now thank we all our God,
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom this world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us;
and keep us still in grace,
and guide us when perplexed;
and free us from all ills,
in this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given;
the Son, and him who reigns
with them in highest heaven;
the one eternal God,
whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.

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