In our Church Friendships Blossom
In 2007, my dearest husband Jan was diagnosed with cancer. Devastation is the only word that best describes our initial reaction. But typically, Jan's positive attitude and overwhelming determination to overcome all setbacks came to the fore. Jan endured many setbacks including life-saving operations with their agonizing medical complications and years of chemotherapy with its gruelling consequences.
So, why did I decide to make a quilt? Very simply to thank you on behalf of Jan and myself for your warmth and support. I know that Jan felt so completely at home in Nunthorpe Methodist church and I know he was greatly comforted by your kindness and compassion (and so am I). One day in 2008 I said to Jan I would like to make a gift for the church to say thank you. "Do you think I should make a quilt?" "Marvellous idea!" said Jan without a minute's hesitation. Then I started to think what I wanted to say in my quilt. First, the title: our church really is a church where friendships blossom! In the centre of the quilt you will see a church along with a large tree. Just as the tree is blossoming so I feel that our church will also continue to grow and flourish. Most importantly are you, the congregation, holding hands in friendship.
Surrounding the centre section are our homes here in Nunthorpe and the nearby area. Jan chose the colours for the roofs! In each corner is a typically Amish patchwork design called Log Cabin. In the centre of each corner section is a red square symbolising a log fire, On one side of the log fire are warm colours and on the opposite side a cool colours. This seems to me to represent both warmth and security but also balance throughout one's life. Although I have dedicated this quilt to Jan's memory, this is my way of thanking you from the bottom of my heart for your warmth & friendship to us both.
With love,
Penny Dirckx
October 2010
