Memory WalkI must share with you an amazing quilt that my friend, Susan, created in memory of her mother who passed away last year as a result of alzheimers. It brought tears to my eyes. I asked Susan what her inspiration was in creating Memory Walk....and she had this to say:
The inspiration for this quilt came from having gone to Houston, where I had taken two classes with Hollis Chantelain. Her quilts make statements and are very very powerful, but she deals with things like hunger or lack of drinking water in Africa.
So when I got home, I got to thinking about how I could use my quilts for something other than just creating a beautiful piece of quilting and remembered this particular image of mom and Bill (boyfriend of Susan's mom) that had been taken about two months before they both passed away. 
As I looked at the photo closer, I saw the hidden messages like the exit sign above their heads and then the door in the background that is actually a door to mom's room but reads as "the exit". I realized that this could make a very powerful statement about Alzheimer's. Having been an avid fund-raiser for the Alzheimer's Association in past years, I know they are always looking for other ways to help with Alzheimer's Awareness. It is Susan's hope that this quilt will be a "traveling" quilt, traveling around California increasing peoples awareness about Alzheimer's.
Susan has such a big and caring heart, she has put together a Moving Forward Cruise to help people who have experienced a loss in their life. I have had the pleasure of participating in one of Susan's cruises (not the Moving Forward Cruise) and can attest to Susan's ability to put together a memorable experience for all with every little detail taken care of. I invite you to visit Susan's website to find out about the details of this healing cruise.
Bravo, Susan!
Diana
22 comments:
That is such a lovely story, I thought of the exit sign even before reading the rest of your story!!
Brought tears to my eyes, that disease robs us of so much.....
I like the idea of making quilts to bring awareness, that is a wonderful idea.
Hugs,
Margaret B
Una colcha muy bonita al igual que la historia que cuentas sobre tu amiga, llega al corazón a traves de la vista.
Hello all...here is a translation of Isabolitas comment above:
"A beautiful quilt like story you tell about your friend, goes to the heart through the eye."
if ever there is art to move people - it is that with a story and created by one who feels deeply... this is magnificent... it made my heartbeat quicken and chest tighten as i neared tears, taking in that very touching and powerful composition... i think that using quilts to increase awareness is so fitting - they are tangible and as you wrap yourself in it, it wraps itself around your heart...
This is s deeply moving piece of art just amazing
Jen
Just beautiful isn't it? Straight from the heart. Riki xoxo
There is so much emotion in that quilt..I have on several occassion seen a similar picture... both my ailing parents walk slowly down a hospital corridor..I think she is amazing..how she caputured the feeling of that...in a guilt.
Marlene
OMGoodness, this touched me so. Loosing my mom has been the most life changing experience for me, in-spite of my cancer or my husband's brain tumors. Loosing my mom has so changed my life. If I could somehow, just for a minute, express through my art what this loss has meant to me, that would be rewarding in itself.
Wonderful, masterful quilt!! Heart wrenching!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
Renate
Beautiful and amazingly accurate image and story !
What an incredibly moving piece of art...and such a wonderful idea to capture this photo, this one moment in quilt form. Thank you for sharing this touching piece - it is truly amazing and I have never seen anything like it!
Hello,
This is the most amazing quilt and a powerful story. Thank you for sharing Susans work.
I love the post below about Cambria. I havent been there in quite some time, but its just charming. I think I have even been in that shop:)
Happy creating, gail
Oh Wow,
Awesome quilt and sweet story...is that the same Susan I remember from wedding events? Oh, I will check out her sight. Thanks for sharing Diana. Hugs, Stephani
Very touching. Made me teary too. My mom turns 86 tomorrow.
Karen
Thank you for sharing this with us.
I have 2 relatives I cared for with alzheimers before their passing. They were gone for so long before they took their exit.
The quilt is truly touching. The strength of Susan's love and vision is so strong.
XOXO Julie B.
Such a beautiful moving story and art quilt. Thank you for sharing it.
LBeautiful quilt and story, Diana! Come be my friend on my blog and enter a giveaway!
www.maigirlz.typepad.com
Beautiful and touching story !
What a beautiful quilt and interpretation of her mother's illness. What a story...
Will visit Susan's sit now.
Is this our sweet friend Susan that I know & LOVE? The quilt is amazing! Larry's Dad suffers from this & it is crippling for all involved. They do truly EXIT the world as we know it even if they don't pass away. Thanks for sharing this with us.
And thank you for your sweet comments about my photos from Savannah. No, sweetie I didn't dress like a Southen Belle. You know at 6'1" those dress just don't come in that size... but, I did wear my beautiful Jacket (that I bought in Carmel, CA 18 years ago) made from vintage linens & one of the images on the Jacket was a petticoated belle watering her garden. Also, I wore my completed (just completed the week before I left for Savannah) Twisted Sista necklace. I got MANY comments on it. I LOVE the way it turned out. Must post it. Sorry so long winded. HUGS! Charlene
One of the most thoughtful art pieces I've seen. It does what art should do and touch the heart. Thank you for sharing the story, too.
Diana, I hope that you have a beautiful weekend and Happy Mother's Day to you!
Xo-Christine
That's a nice story and I love the quilt she made. Thanks for telling it.
Catherine
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