Be The Best.I’ve gone a week or two without a blog post about quilts.
That won’t do.
I found these pics today from August 2009. We were having a Friesen family reunion and this was the time where my Mom had the idea to make a family quilt. You can see that finished product here.
Anyways, I loved these pics of Chris making his square as well as a great shot of him and his cousins fooling around.
These times are so exceptionally treasured.
I remember when we had both Max and Chris as young dudes in piano lessons.
One night, they had a piano recital. They were both scared. It was sort of comical. Here’s why.
Brothers are brothers. That means always a punch or comment or wedgie or attempted wedgie or something.
That’s what brothers do.
Here’s what else brothers do. They have each others’ backs.
During this piano recital, the fooling around was over for the night..or at least until the ‘stupid’ recital was over. It was simply, I’m gonna support you and you’re gonna support me and we’ll get through this horrific event of playing this instrument in front of people we don’t know.
Love it.
Brothers.
Forever.
The days of Spring and Summer are now behind us.
For those of us who live in the Vancouver area of the Great White North, we experience those breathtaking summer nights with sunlight reaching to 9:45pm and beyond.
As the days grow shorter and wetter, many of those sunsets that were so powerful to me are now packaged up and waiting to surprise again next Spring. It had been over a month since I last listened to Love Shines, that powerful and moving song that AC (Auntie Cathy) sang at Chris’ service.
I just listened now and as I did I looked out the window at the total pitch blackness. The words are Love Shines and Darkness Flees. Only thing was, it’s still dark outside. The meaning of the song became even more powerful to me tonight.
Of course. We can’t escape the physical darkness. So too in our journey, there will continue to be dark times. We cannot escape those. BUT love is shining through that darkness and allowing our lives to continue to be pulsated with light through the love of family, friends, colleagues, lacrosse connections etc etc. I think our own actions and choices to be involved in changing lives through Chris’ fund and other opportunities (giving is in grieving), also helps to chase the virtual darkness.
This weekend, AC gave me an update on her upcoming album. She’s going out on a limb. As an artist, I think it’s the most difficult thing to do to put yourself out there not only as an artist, but also as a business person. She is self funding her new album driven by the passion of Love Shines and other songs that will help bring hope to many.
You can get involved all the way from pre-ordering the CD to a larger investment that includes a House Concert at your place for friends and family!! Cool.
What I love about this is the passion, goal setting and desire for change to help propel a dream.
If you haven’t listened in a while, have a listen now online (yes, that’s free!).
If you get excited about the project, check out AC’s website with all the details.
Love Shines and Darkness Flees.
Love it.
You may remember those blogs about quilts. You can connect here if you haven’t read them already.
Some amazing work by Kim, a part of my incredible marketing team at BCIT. Amazing work on many levels and we love it. Anyone who comes over wants to see the quilt. I love seeing the lacrosse players pick out their numbers or friends and family recognize the jerseys and clothes that were Chris’ favourites.
I want to show you another quilt tonight. (who knew this was going to become a quilting blog..!)
The Friesen side of the family had a few days together in the summer of ’09 and my Mom (Leona, Grandma) had an idea of making a quilt at that time. The goal was for each family member to design a square. It could be stitched or simply designed with coloured pens. Each square was to represent something about that person. Most family members completed their squares over the few days with the last few squares added in the weeks following.
What a cool idea.
What do you think Chris drew? Yah, not that hard to guess…a couple of lacrosse sticks and a beautiful message to Grandma. “I love you” in his own handwriting.
He loved his Grandma so much.
Each year he looked forward to her canned peaches and would eat a jar at a sitting if we didn’t catch him first!
What a testament to a Grandma’s love. What a testament to Chris who wasn’t afraid to tell people he loved his Grandma and Grandpa…even as a 16 year old kid at the time.
What an idea to make this quilt.
I saw it completed just a few weeks ago and this video gives you a close up look at this priceless piece of art.
“I love you”. Powerful. We love you too Chris. Always.
Those sunsets still get me.
I can’t see one without thinking about Chris.
Whether it’s the sun streaming through the clouds or punching out that silver lining or just glowing as it nears the mountains or horizon, I love it.
These pics were taken during an evening of friends and fun (thanks Melody and Drake!).
The sun will set.
The sun will rise.
And more decisions will be made.
No, I’m not crazy…(well sort of, but only part of the time).
Chris literally took us to the movies today?
How?
Back on March 22, just 3 days before he passed away, we went out for dinner as a family.
It was a Monday night and very unusual for us to go out on a weekday. Like VERY unusual….maybe once a year if that. But there we were, Max and Chris in a booth sitting across from Ingrid and I and we were laughing all night.
You’ve seen blog posts referencing that night before so I won’t get too detailed, but the occasion was Ingrid’s birthday and Chris had got her a movie gift card for $50 and the suggestion of a mom & son movie that coming weekend.
Fast forward four and a half months. With a very hot day and some time off, it was a perfect chance to get to the movies along with Max.
Thanks Chris.
We laughed.
We had fun.
We thought about you.
Be The Best.