Stitched together with love

In May of 2010 I  had the great pleasure of traveling to Regina for Lynne and Brian Selinger's son's wedding.  While there, I was able to visit with several cousins who I hadn't seen in many years.  I loved my time there . . . every minute of it. I wrote up the experience in my personal blog at sandraandbrent.blogspot.com.  I'm pretty sure I took photos of everyone who was there so if you were in town, you're probably in my blog!  

One of the great highlights of my trip was to spend time with Allan Derges (Auntie Helen's son) and his wife Gayla. They invited Lois (Al's sister) and her husband Sid and I out to their beautiful place in Deer Valley  for dinner. Their back yard flows into a golf course in a gorgeous valley. The dinner was yummy (especially the mango, avocado salad!)  and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. 

 The above photos are close-ups of the detail of a gorgeous quilt that Gayla showed me while I was there.  She saves fabrics and old clothing (material left over from her wedding dress, prom dresses, maternity clothes, etc.) and she and her sisters get together to make pieced quilts from this vintage fabric. They sew it into blocks and then finish it with colorful stitching. Absolutely beautiful. Very awesome to the craft-challenged like me!  There's something about this quilt that is metaphorical . . . something that speaks of thousands of colorful experiences all stitched together with love into one big beautiful comforter.
This photo was the "parting shot" that I took of Allan and Gayla on their front porch.  I've looked at this photo many times over the past three years and thought that it told a beautiful story of love, loyalty, commitment, happiness and respect.  The kind of love that lives on forever. No matter what. 
When I saw this word collage, the other day, posted on facebook by Al's sister Lois, I knew that I had found the perfect expression of what I see in this photo. It was put together by Kelly Morrison (who, I hope, will not mind that I'm posting it here on the Ursaki blog) for Al's birthday.    

 Al, I want to thank you for the interest that you've taken in this family blog and in the extended family in general. I've truly enjoyed your warm and witty contributions.  You are a gifted writer and an all around great guy.
                                                                                                     Sandra Ursaki Hale

A Comment on the Discussion of Grandma's Faith

Hello cousins,

I thought I could provide a comment to the discussion of Grandma’s faith but I’m not able to, so here it is.

I know the exact time I realized Grandma's strong faith when she told the story of how and when Eddy died.

As we sat, sipping tea in her living room at Cedar Wood, she said this "He (Eddy) was His (God) before he was ours and had every right to take him".

Her eyes were dry, mine weren't and I still tear up thinking about it.

XO

Also, I’ve attached two pictures I think are worthy of posting. The two generations of sisters.

I can’t seem to edit the picture of the Great Aunties but if you can I wanted to crop it so the sisters stood out more in the picture. I’m pretty sure the lady at the end of the table on the right is Aunty Em.

Love, Lois

Grandma Ursaki, Auntie Rose and Auntie Bertha

Auntie Bertha, Auntie Helen and Auntie Alma

Note by Sandra: Lois, I was able to crop the photo of Grandma and her sisters but the original photo is a little out of focus so this is the best I could come up with.  Thanks for this contribution.  Very precious photos.