THE QUILT...

THE QUILT


Here it is - the quilt, my son
at last, at last it's finally done
It comes to you from all of us
Although, some needed a little push

It has a lot of flaws and mistakes
but making it was not piece of cake

It was coming along pretty good
just the way we thought it would
with just 6 little hands left to do
but what they say about overconfidence is really true

Just as we thought we had it, what do yu think?
Jill's computer went down, doesn't that stink?
Jill and I were praying like mad
without those names it would be so sad

I couldn't do it, I was stumped, I was stalled
so I just sat down and bawled. (that's me)
Then, I cried to the Lord, "it's up to you"
"I just can't do it", oh no, boo hoo

Then the Lord said to me "you must persevere
get up, get busy, my child, do you hear"?
this is for Barry, My child, My son
just give it to Me and it will get done"

So I gave it to God and said "here it is, My Father
and I hope it's not to much of a bother"
Now, stop that", He said, "sit down and gt to work
and try not to be such and obvious jerk"

Now what do you know, when I would hit a snag
a way opened up, it was in the bag!
To God, for the quilt, I give all the glory
and this, my loved ones, is the end of this story.

Written for my family for the presentation of The Quilt to Barry on Christmas 2010

The laying of hands...

Tonight, after an amazing Holiday meal with family, Jerry shared the history of the Praying Hands as the family gathered together in the living room of Dennis and Jills home. As Jerry read aloud to us the significance of these hands, Jacob and Alec held up the quilt that Mom made for Barry that has each of our family members hands beautifully displayed in a fabric that represents each of our individuality or that have special meaning to each of us. Eyes welled with tears as Jerry read the poem that Mom wrote about the making of the quilt. Barry was overwhelmed with emotion at what the quilt represented and the love that went into the making of this family treasure.

Barry stood in the center of the room as his mother draped the quilt around his shoulders and each of us placed a hand on Barry as Jerry lead the prayer dedicating this quilt as the symbol of the love felt by our family for Barry and his recovery. Each time Barry uses the quilt for warmth or comfort, he will be covered by the hands of his family.

It was beautiful moment that will remain in all of our memories and that is forever captured in this beautiful work of art.

The Praying Hands

Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, lived a family with eighteen children. Eighteen! In order merely to keep food on the table for this mob, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession, worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade and any other paying chore he could find in the neighborhood.

Despite their seemingly hopeless condition, two of Albrecht Durer the Elder's children had a dream. They both wanted to pursue their talent for art, but they knew full well that their father would never be financially able to send either of them to Nuremberg to study at the Academy.

After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed, the two boys finally worked out a pact. They would toss a coin. The loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy. Then, when that brother who won the toss completed his studies, in four years, he would support the other brother at the academy, either with sales of his artwork or, if necessary, also by laboring in the mines.

They tossed a coin on a Sunday morning after church. Albrecht Durer won the toss and went off to Nuremberg.

Albert went down into the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, financed his brother, whose work at the academy was almost an immediate sensation. Albrecht's etchings, his woodcuts, and his oils were far better than those of most of his professors, and by the time he graduated, he was beginning to earn considerable fees for his commissioned works.

When the young artist returned to his village, the Durer family held a festive dinner on their lawn to celebrate Albrecht's triumphant homecoming. After a long and memorable meal, punctuated with music and laughter, Albrecht rose from his honored position at the head of the table to drink a toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice that had enabled Albrecht to fulfill his ambition. His closing words were, "And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream, and I will take care of you."


All heads turned in eager expectation to the far end of the table where Albert sat, tears streaming down his pale face, shaking his lowered head from side to side while he sobbed and repeated, over and over, "No ...no ...no ...no."


Finally, Albert rose and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He glanced down the long table at the faces he loved, and then, holding his hands close to his right cheek, he said softly, "No, brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg. It is too late for me. Look ... look what four years in the mines have done to my hands! The bones in every finger have been smashed at least once, and lately I have been suffering from arthritis so badly in my right hand that I cannot even hold a glass to return your toast, much less make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a pen or a brush. No, brother ... for me it is too late."


More than 450 years have passed. By now, Albrecht Durer's hundreds of masterful portraits, pen and silver-point sketches, watercolors, charcoals, woodcuts, and copper engravings hang in every great museum in the world, but the odds are great that you, like most people, are familiar with only one of Albrecht Durer's works. More than merely being familiar with it, you very well may have a reproduction hanging in your home or office.


One day, to pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother's abused hands with palms together and thin fingers stretched skyward. He called his powerful drawing simply "Hands," but the entire world almost immediately opened their hearts to his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love "The Praying Hands."


The next time you see a copy of that touching creation, take a second look. Let it be your reminder, if you still need one, that no one - no one - - ever makes it alone!


~Source Unknown~

The call...

Mom has been preparing for her trip to Dallas for weeks. Each time she called to talk about the menu for Christmas Eve or the big meal on Christmas Day, I could always hear the excitement in her voice. It wasn't about the food, it was about the secret gift that she has been working on for months. The gift that she had spent many hours on and even shed a few tears over. The gift that she would present Barry with on Christmas Eve. There were many calls and several emails between us girls ( Mom, Christy, Jill, Kellie and I) about who would make what, where we would spend each day and what games and activities we would do.

Mom and Chris were scheduled to arrive around 1:00pm on Thursday, December 23rd. We were so excited that they were arriving a day early before the holidays. I had talked to Mom the day before and she told me that they were staying in Rotan on Wednesday evening and would head our way on Thursday morning. Lexi and I had an 11:00am appointment on Thursday morning and Barry and Brant awaited their arrival.

I received a call about 11:30am from Dennis (Barry's brother). Lexi and I were finishing up at our appointment so I was unable to answer the call. As were walking out to our car about fifteen minutes later, Dennis called again. I couldn't get to my phone quick enough to answer. When I was inside my car, I quickly checked my phone. Dennis had left me a message and I could tell by his voice that something was wrong.

I called him immediately and he hesitantly told me that Mom and Chris had been in an accident on the highway and that it was serious. Chris had been airlifted via helicopter to a hospital in Abilene and Mom was being taken there via ambulance. He said that he had talked to Mom and that she was very shaken up. Her first concern was about the Gift and the food. My heart dropped as I listened, wondering how I was going to tell Barry without upsetting him. Dennis was heading to Abilene as we talked and promised to call me as soon as he knew anything more.

As we drove home, I explained to Lexi what Dennis had shared with me. After we pulled up in the driveway, she and I joined hands and prayed for Mom and Chris. I shared the news with Barry as delicately as I could. Barry, the children and I immediately said a prayer for both of them.

It was a difficult day of waiting. Vada was bruised and experiencing pain in the area where the seatbelt had held her tightly. Chris was being very closely monitored because he had lost conscience as a result of the accident and was experiencing some other side effects that caused concern.

Dennis stayed with them through the night. Mom was experiencing increased pain on Friday morning and received further examination. Thank God that nothing serious was uncovered. The pain was a result of the bruising and extreme jarring that she experienced during the accident. Their SUV had apparently flipped a few times after the impact.

We were all praying that we would have them home for Christmas Eve. No luck. The physicians decided that it would be best to keep Chris for another day. Although the family gathered at our home on Christmas Eve, there was an overwhelming feeling of sadness and concern had by all without Mom and Chris there.

Time for a pic-a-nic...

Barry, Lexi, Brant and I went to see Yogi 3D today. It was great to get out of the house! We enjoyed the movie but mostly we enjoyed being together.

A sigh of relief...

I breathed a sigh of relief this evening as Barry lay in the Emergency Room complaining of sharp pains in the are of his appendix. The scan uncovered that there were no abnormalities and that his appendix was in great shape. Once again, the power of prayer prevails.

Barry is feeling much better this morning (Tuesday). Thank you God for watching over Barry last night and answering our prayers!

Second College Graduate!

 Today we stood with pride as we watched Rachel graduate from the University of North Texas. Rachel beemed with excitement to walk across the stage. Upon her graduation had was a beautiful gray satin ribbon symbolizing her father fight against brain cancer, adorned with rhinestones which sparkled as she turned her head, worn as only Rachel could. Barry was so proud. A picture is worth a thousand words. Take a look.

Gimme a break!

Today we visited with Dr. Maher and she has suggested that Barry be removed from the Avastin clinical trial and that he be given a break from Temodar (Chemo). She said that it was time for his body to have a chance to bounce back from all of the harsh side effect of monthly chemotherapy. As scary as it sounds to have him off of these drugs, his body needs the recovery time. The side effects have taken a toll on his spirit as well as his body. Hopefully this time off will allow for Barry to regain strength and the enthusiasm for life that he has always had.

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Highland Oaks Church of Christ...

Barry and I enjoyed a wonderful service at Highland Oaks Church of Christ this morning.  The main sanctuary was decorated with two beautifully lit Christmast Trees with red poinsetta and bright red ribbon.  There were many Christmas songs included with today's service.  Christopher Green's message was about seeing Christmas through a childs eyes, the origins of Christmas and renewing our sense of excitement about Christianity.  At the end of the service, Christopher made mention to the congregation that Barry and I were there.  Barry was immediately overtaken with emotion as his mouth formed the words "Thank You" in Christophers direction.  It was a precious moment.  As the mornings service ended, we were surrounded by familiar faces with open arms and new faces introducing themselves to us and expressions of prayer.  We are so blessed to be part of such a warm, inviting group of people.  Thank you to everyone at HOCC for all that you have done for my husband and my family.  You have brought light to a family that has been faced with many challenges. 

Trimming the Christmas Tree

 

 We usually decorate our home for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, but this year, it was delayed a bit due to Rachel and Chelsea being in Lubbock.  We decided that although Chelsea would not be with us, we would invite Russell and Joey over to join us to decorate the Christmas Tree and enjoy an evening of food and fun.  Joey arrived around 6:30pm and we received a text message from Russell that he was going to be a bit late, so we waited on eating dinner until he arrived.  To our great surprise, Russell showed up at our door with our precious Chelsea!  It was a wonderful surprise.  We had so much fun decorating the tree and simply enjoyed being together. 

Basketball skills...