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| Mother's Dream Quilt Block |
Do you love to quilt AND love to read? I invite you to join the free, online Quilters' Book Club. Each month, we read a book, discuss it through comments on my blog posts, and then make a quilt block to represent that book. I research several potential blocks to go with the book's themes, setting, main characters, and events. And I find the patterns free on the internet, making it easy for everyone to access. Each member can choose the block or blocks they'd like to make.
To join, become a follower of my blog so you won't miss any blog post. To make it super convenient, you can also sign up for my posts to be delivered right to you via email. It is never too late to join and begin reading and sewing along with us.
Our book to read and discuss during September is The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs. If you'd like to make a quilt block to represent a theme in the book, here are some links to free patterns to get your ideas flowing:
To join, become a follower of my blog so you won't miss any blog post. To make it super convenient, you can also sign up for my posts to be delivered right to you via email. It is never too late to join and begin reading and sewing along with us.
Our book to read and discuss during September is The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs. If you'd like to make a quilt block to represent a theme in the book, here are some links to free patterns to get your ideas flowing:
Themes in The Goodbye Quilt
Giving Children Roots
and Wings:
A Mother’s Life - Goodbyes
and Changes:
Mother's Own Quilt Block
Aside from the obvious (the unoccupied room in the house!), how does a mother's life change when a grown child leaves home? Inquiring minds want to know! Answer in the comment section below. If you are reading via email, you must first click on the blog title to be able to comment and read the comments of others.
By commenting, you are entering you name in a give-away for a copy of The Double Wedding Ring by Clare O'Donohue, courtesy of Plume Books. There will be two lucky winners this month!
You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.
Wow, I think my thoughts were like many other women especially when the last one leaves home. My question was "what do I do now?" That was the serious question. What I did was get a puppy, much to the chagrin of my husband. Wasn't long until he understood and we got another puppy. It is a scary time especially in a marriage. You kind of have to get to know each other all over again. For me, it was a wonderful thing and all too short as my husband died at 56. I am proud of our children as adults and as parents. Eventually I started quilting and sewing and teaching sewing so I guess my fears were set to rest.
ReplyDeleteI think it's especially hard for Mom's who've been homeschoolers. I was one of those. But thankfully I had also worked part time while my kids were in high school, so I was able to focus on my other work when they went off to college.
ReplyDeleteMine hasn't changed much except for less cooking going on. I think we change as they grow. They need us less the older they get and they get independent and are doing their own things as teenagers for the most part. I work, have hobbies, have friends and a husband before my son left for college and I still have all the above. I just cook less food now.
ReplyDeleteLove the quilt block. I had a little more time for me. After they permanently left home, I got a sewing room. Actually we moved while son 2 was in college and he didn't get a room, only one to use during summer time!! Both sons moved away after graduating; both have wonderful wives and kids. I am blessed
ReplyDeleteAs my son gets older, I am wondering...what will I do with the rest of my life? I hope to keep life interesting.
ReplyDeleteWhile my six kids were still at home, I was substitute teaching and working in the library at their school, being a Scout leader, and singing in the church choir. I am still doing much the same except the substitute teaching has dribbled off and the library is spending money on new books rather than pay someone to maintain the old ones. No matter, that time gets filled with English classes and quilting classes and Scout leader training. Meanwhile, there is a run on "kids-on-loan" We have always managed to fill the empty nest to overflowing. Even with only one spare bed, there is often a waiting list.
ReplyDeleteEverything changes when your child leaves home. Yes, the bedroom is empty, but, so is the place at the table. Someone to chat with, run errands with, hang out with is gone. You miss being a 'part' of your child's life, unlike what it was like when they lived at home.
ReplyDeleteAs Cheryl says above I think that you miss being part of your child's life. Even though they become more independent, as a parent you are still involved in many of their activities, know their friends, and often are asked for advice. Once they are at college, even if it's only 45 minutes away, this clossness stops and your relationship with them changes. When/if they return, this change is even more evident.
ReplyDeleteAs a couple, my husband and I sorted our way through the change. Two years later it also involved unexpected retirement for him and a new job for me. I think those life experiences helped us deal with the loneliness better because our home lives changed, too.
I am not there yet. But I do remember my son's first day of pre-school and I thought, "I won't know what he is doing for 4 hours." I guess that was my first taste. I think it was just new mother experiences because I don't remember feeling any of that with my daughter. It's part of life, for them to have their own experieces apart from us. Being an "independent" spirit, my mom had a problem letting me be "independent." Cooking, driving, doing laundry, figuring stuff out. My sister's didn't have this urge for independence.
ReplyDeleteI was a it lost when my last child, son, left home.
ReplyDeleteLuckily I still worked and had something to do. My husband and I looked forward to a holiday.
The night before we went on holiday our son moved home.
Away we went, happy as ever. Then 2 nights later we receieived everyone's worst phone call.
Our son had an accident , get to the hospital.
He didn't make it.
You can never prepare yourself for anything. Whatever happens, happens