Changes

This is a sad time. My mother died a few weeks ago. I sewed a quilted "slipcover" for the box containing her cremains, which we will bury in the spring. I embellished it with wide, fine ivory lace and four clear Swarovski crystals in the shape of a cross, one for each of her children. It doesn't seem right to show it here, but I think she would like it very much. It's very "her."

This piece of art is currently on display at the Benedictine Center close to my house:

And here is the artist's statement. (Tap on the photos, if they look fuzzy, for a better look.)

Here is a quote from one of my mother's favorite poets, Mary Oliver:

To live in this world

you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it

against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.

From "In Blackwater Woods" by Mary Oliver, in American Primitive.

~Andrea