More Black Belt Stitching Wizard Stuff

Saturday, March 25, 2006

In Memory of Edith...

I haven't blogged in a couple of days. I think its because I've been thinking and not really ready to say much. On Thursday a dear online friend of mine passed away Edith Kilfoyle aka Edith In Alaska had been in intensive care in Anchorage for over a week. She was having trouble breathing and finally passed on to a better place. Edith wasn't a spring chicken, she has lived a good long life and touched many of us in the stitching community over the years. It was wonderful to see the outpouring of thoughts and prayers for Edith by the stitching world.

I had gotten out of touch with Edith when life started to get really crazy for me. I got back in touch over the Christmas holidays when I used the piece Edith had stitched me to put together my online pillow tutorial. Working on it made me realize I missed here. As soon as the pillow and tutorial were done I sent Edith a long deserved e-mail sharing with her what I had done to her gift. I didn't realize today just how much that meant to her when I talked to Hannelore (Lorchen) on the phone today. Hanne let me know just how thrilled Edith was and how that made her feel so special. I was glad I was able to touch her life in some way as she had touched mine over the years.

There is a special project in the works for Edith's children and I hope to be able to take a part in that when we're ready to start. Its the least I can do.

When Edith wasn't well and in the hospital I knew it was only a matter of time. Things like this really make you think about your relationships/friendships. The first thing I did as soon as I could was call Hannelore in England (a challenge to arrange with my schedule and the time difference). We were incredibly close friends a couple of years ago but life got in the way for both of us and communication became infrequent. I really surprised her with that phone call this afternoon :-) oh but it was so nice to talk and open the lines of communication again! I'm going to vow to e-mail her every day!

Thinking along the same lines I realized I missed the camaraderie I had last year with Carol and Katrina while we were doing that Celitc Band Sampler SAL! I've already mentioned this to Carol and she's more than game to do another SAL. Now we just have to find something all three of us want to stitch!

So what can I say but value your friendships, don't get out of touch.

My best friend Christin did a lovely things for me on Friday. Friday is grocery night, Christin and I have turned it into a social event instead of just "doing chores" as most people see doing the groceries. We meet at Food Basics where Christin can easily get to on the bus after work. We start there, go onto Costco, then any other little stops along the way (WalMart, etc.) then we have dinner out. Anyhow while in Costco Christin let me pick out a bouquet of roses for my 30th Birthday (which is on Monday). Trust me, get a grocery buddy its much more fun!


I was hoping to add pictures to this entry but once again Blogger picture uploader doesn't seem to be working properly!

5 comments:

Shelleen said...

I am so sorry to hear about your friend.

Katrina said...

Dani, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend passing away. I didn't know her myself but have heard alot about her on the boards. Hugs to you.

I'd love to do another SAL with you, we will have to get our brains into gear to think about something to stitch together - perhaps another sampler of some sort? Umm, will have to think on that one.

and finally, although it won't be your Monday just yet, I hope you have a wonderful birthday and have a very special day. Take care

Von said...

I'm sorry to hear of your dear friend's passing, Dani. May your memories of her keep her always near.

I also wish you a very happy 30th birthday!

Kelley said...

Oh dear, I didn't know Edith had died! We always chatted about my Alaska sampler from Cross Stitch Wonders as she stitched the model for it. She was always so nice with her comments whenever I posted infrequent photos of it to the TWBB.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about your friend! But very nice sentiments--there are such nice stitchers out there, and I have also made some very good friends. Lately I have not been able to keep up very well with blog reading and chatting--I must get back to that so I don't loose contact as well. It is nice you have something special to remember Edith by, too!