Merry Christmas
MERRY CHRISTMAS! I have to admit that I have been a bit maudlin lately. Okay, I have been having a pity-party and only one person was invited – ME! Can we talk girlfriend? You see, I have two sons. Both grown, married, and with MY grandkids. One lives outside Tucson, AZ and the other just north of San Diego, CA. Our holiday routine has been that every other year I fly both families out to Williamsburg, VA to celebrate a colonial Christmas, spend time reminiscing and making new memories. The opposite year I usually fly to the west coast and we celebrate there. This year should have been a year when all came to Virginia . . . however . . . things did not work out. Oh how I miss my boys, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. And on top of it, the youngest son and wife recently had a new baby that I have yet to hold in my arms. We do SKYPE, which helps, but it is not the same as hugging and kissing those precious children.
So in the middle of my pity-party I thought about what Audrey Collins (an Academy attendee) wrote in her article in the Baltimore Applique society newsletter – that coming to the Academy is like coming to a family reunion. How true! I thanked God for family and friends, and then began assigning family roles to some attendees. Audrey Collins is the Aunt and matriarch of the family, wise and loving beyond her years. Sheila Bayley is my big sister and BFF; Corrine Tetz, of course, is my twin sister; Lily Broslovsky is a beloved cousin (she would be a sister, but she is too skinny). “Aunt” Judy Bankson is as indispensable to this “family” as her “sister” Audrey. Then there is always the kooky Aunt. The aunt that is SO brave and fearless that she dares the world to stop her. Oh how I wish I was more like her. This of course is . . . Suzie Louth. There are so many more of you (extended family “members”) that attend the Academy and are loved and missed when we are apart, that it would take pages to list you all and give you the recognition that you deserve. But moments after we reunite, and catch up on family issues and applique projects we have completed and are working on . . . all of the stars seem to align and everything is right with the world again – if only for a week.
I miss you all and can’t wait to see you soon. I think I will go start a new applique project. I always feel better when I am stitching.
For those that haven’t had a chance to register for the 2016 Academy of Applique in historic Williamsburg, VA – please do so now as registration will be closing soon, and you don’t want to miss out on this wonderful event. See how quickly you are welcomed into our family and help our family grow!
Just a reminder to those that WILL be attending – please make your room reservations before January 15, 2016 and let them know that you are with the Academy to receive the discounted room rate.
See you all soon! Keep stitchin’
Barbara
I definitely love the sister/BFF role and am so looking forward to being with the other sisters/aunts/friends at Academy. Can’t wait, only 69 more days. Continuing with current projects and trying to finish up some UFOs. Blessings to all at this wonderful Christmas season. Hope you get to be with your families, if not in person, then by phone or computer.