Friday, December 4, 2015

Irrepressible Anxiety and Hope


It's difficult to watch the news these days. My heart goes out to everyone in San Bernardino, along with prayers.


August 24, 1861 

"August 24, 1861 - I should have been cheerful in my solitude had it not been for my irrepressible anxiety about public affairs. I made, and quilted on my lap, the prettiest little crib quilt you ever saw. . . I sent it to my dear friend Mrs S., in honor of her first granddaughter. It was really a relief to my mind to be doing something for an innocent little baby in these dreadful times." 

I love this quote on page 34 of my book The Civil War Sewing Circle. Hard to believe it was not written today. I don't know anyone who is not feeling anxious these days. Yes, so many years later, these are still dreadful times. Thank goodness for quilting - it does help keep one focused and calm at times.

I don't feel much like Christmas shopping anymore. We're getting our Christmas tree tomorrow and I will decorate it this weekend. put up the lights to help dispel some of the darkness and find joy and hope as we begin to celebrate the season. 


When the kids were young we'd drive by a certain neighborhood in Chicago to see the houses decorated with lights. I think it might be fun to do that again this year. 








Happy holidays to all of you. 



12 comments:

Linda said...

Kathleen, I understand what you are saying, but let's not let people with evil in their hearts rob us of our joy, love and peace. There will always be evil in our world, but there is so much good, also. Each of us has so much to be grateful for.

Jeanne said...

Hi Kathleen,
Your post today echoes what I've been feeling.
Sending you hugs ~ Jeanne

cityquilter grace said...

i think many are working a bit more to get into the holiday spirit...tonight we went to a local church for carols and bell ringers concert...and of course, some quilting too...

Aunt TC said...

I appreciate your sharing this post. I live in southern CA but realize that this tragedy could happen anywhere and that it has touched all of us.

Unknown said...

Thank you for posting this Kathleen. I live in Southern California also, near San Bernardino, and yesterday was with my daughter, her future m-i-l and a friend, shopping for my daughter's wedding gown. Our friend got a text that the shopping center next to us was on "lockdown" due to a terrorist threat targeting shopping centers and movie centers. Fortunately, that proved not to be true, but it certainly made us anxious for awhile. Reading your post, knowing what others in the past have gone through, put it in perspective. We cannot let our fears take away the joy in our lives!

Kathleen Tracy said...

Thanks for commenting. I was not sure if it was an appropriate topic for a "quilting blog" but I did it anyway. It's really hard to wrap my head around this and not feel the pain our country is experiencing right now. I'm not saying we should give in to our fears - but we certainly can't help but experience those fears at times. I know I am not alone in struggling with being hopeful in critical times. Feeling compassion for all those who are in pain and being allowed to express that and also express my fears helps me process things a bit.

Barbara said...

I'm so glad you did post about this subject. I was concerned that no one was mentioning this in their blogs. Were we becoming desensitized to the violence in our world? I felt so sad yesterday until I forced myself to go into the sewing room. I immediately began to feel better and realized that the lack of comment about the evil in California was because people were probably trying to move on and not let the terrorists succeed in making us miserable.

Jackie said...

I love your post!

Ann in PA said...

Kathy, Your post was certainly appropriate for a quilt blog. No matter where we live in this world, we are all affected by such horrific violence to innocent people. I don't know of anything better to do than to pray and continue on with hope and peace in our hearts. Quilting is comforting and productive. There is much more good in this world than evil...evil never wins.

Anonymous said...

Kathy, I am so glad you took time to post your thoughts on this senseless tragedy. My hope for all the world is that we, like the Parisians, will not let this violence keep us from being joyful, connected, and able to live in appreciation and love of others. My heart goes out to all who have been torn by this event and my hope is that we will come together to find a way toward a more peaceful world.

Jennifer M said...

I feel you were completely right by posting this too. So many of us feel like you, and it is happening and real. These folks certainly are in my thoughts and prayers and I pray for a more peaceful world.

Yvonne said...

Such a lovely sight all those decorated houses after dark. I really need to go to the US around Christmas time ones!

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