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Friday, October 29, 2010

Can We Have a Little Healing Over Here!?!?!

It's such a romantical notion! That a quilt can have healing properties.  Sylvia Compson's mother made an Ocean Waves quilt that was said to have healing properties in Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek Quilts series of books.  Lauraine Snelling wrote a whole book about it (The Healing Quilt)I, for one, am hoping it's true.

You see, I am well and truly sick.
Oh -- it's nothing so bad...Started with a little sore throat day before yesterday.  Figured I would slough it off and go on about my merry business of running boys here and yon (while the little balloon man whistles far and WHEEEEE!!! -- sorry, e.e.cummings) and making quilts for little girls. Ah! the life of a homeschooling quilting maniac whale of a mom.

I should have understood I was in the full throes of denial when I purchased (and devoured) some large extra salty fries (with the Applewood Bacon cheeseburger) from Wendy's thinking they would probably feel every bit as good on my pitiful throat as that briny glass of warm water "they" always tell you to gargle. ("Feed a cold..."  Right!?)

So last night I retreated to my Sanctuary (translation: bedroom -- not quite as pristine as it was here :-(....you're seeing the eye roll, right!?!) and rolled up in my very own "healing" quilt.


This pinwheely, whirlygigy beauty of a body warmer is made of homespuns (with all the same background fabric because that's what I do. I know...I'm trying to break free!  :-D), and it has the yummiest, softest brushed cotton flannel backing in rich olive green plaid you ever had the pleasure of laying on your skin.

This is the quilt that Jeff and I snuggle under on a Sunday afternoon -- after church, when Sunday dinner is over and the kids have retreated to the family room (downstairs! Yippeeee!!) to play video games -- and we breathe deeply of each other and then roll over, each to our own side! and take a two- to three-hour nap!!!

Heaven!

So, yeah, I'm thinking this quilt definitely might have healing properties.  As I delve a little more deeply into "memory time" while Jeff is overseas, I'm smiling to myself and enjoying the view....and

AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHH,humph,humph,humphAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHH.....
The coughing spasm hits, and I know the wet stuff in my lungs has to go somewhere! and my fantasy takes a dramatic turn....

"NOOOO! Baby! Stay in the desert!!
I would not have you die of this horrible plague!!
Save yourself!!! Give my best to the Afghans.....
Tell the children I love them...
I love you tooooo much to inflict this on you!!!!!"


Healing quilt, my...Well. Nevermind.
So, I'm thinking there are some clear clues that I'll be seeing a doctor today.
  1. When my very real deployed husband tells me in my fake insipid daydream to get my rear end to the doctor.
  2. When every coughing spasm reveals there are other uses for certain drug store products besides consistent incontinence.  (Yeah, and all my relatives wanted to throw away the Poise pads when gramma died!!! Hummmmph!!!)
  3. When my children back away from me saying things like, "Is that one gonna make you hurl, Mom!?!"
It's bronchitis.  I get it every year.  I'll probably live. AFTER I see the doctor. :-)

And I could pray! I had a pastor who, when someone would suggest prayer for a sicko like me, would respond, tongue in cheek --"Has it come to that!?!"  He's a keeper! Gotta love it!! LOL

They don't call Jesus the Great Physician for nothin'!  God tells His people Israel, "I am the LORD, who heals you." (Exodus 15:26).  Psalm 103, recounting all the benefits of the Lord, tells us He "heals all your diseases."

Malachi 4:2 offers this promise:  "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.  And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall." 

Yeah...I'm not too excited about the calf bit (I already called myself a whale -- "heifer" is just a little further than I wanna go today!), but I'll take the healing! Thank you, Jesus! and pass the antibiotics!!

And Daydream Jeff!! Quit hogging all the covers!! I'm trying to nap over here!!
Blessings!

27 comments:

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

Oh, Mary Lou~ please take good care. Yes, get yourself to the doctor and follow his orders. Prayers for health and healing are winging their way in your direction. Crawl back under that healing quilt and let it work it's magic too.

Tracy said...

First of all, you're such a good writer! Second, I have one or two who get bronchitis every year, too. Not fun. Please do get yourself to the Dr. TODAY! Need anything? I'm happy to help, just let me know! Last? Aren't those Sunday afternoon naps the best? We might face opposite sides, but my feet find their way to Verne's legs, and it is pure heaven!

Anonymous said...

Awe...that was quite the blog! =) I hope you feel better soon...and I always figure God gives Doctor's wisdom and so getting there is just as important!

Hope you feel better!

Staci said...

You poor baby! I hope the antibiotics kick in fast!

Miss Hillbilly said...

I am a quilter, homeschool mom, follower of Jesus that has extra fluff...and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed that blog reading.
You keep it real. Just because we love Jesus...we have REAL lives in the everyday world. (Although It would be nice to go to Elm Creek for a retreat.)
Often, Christian bloggers are all about the fluff, good feeling stuff. As I said, I am a very rooted strong believer...so don't take my comment the wrong way. I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the "just keepin' it real"-ness about your blog. LOL
Get better soon! Oh, and p.s., did you use batting in that healing quilt? I am thinking about making one for each family member, cotton on top, flannel on back, but Can't decide about the batting. I am thinking of just an extra layer of flannel.

Becky said...

Mary Lou, You know, Christ as the "sun" of righteousness was foretold by Malachi to be the light of the world. And we, are to be reflectors of the light. We are to be indirect sources of light to other people. Indirect because we have no natural light of our own, like the moon. The moon cannot make light of its own; instead its phosperessence is reflective and it reflects its light from the sun. We must, then recall our responsibility to be as Matthew 5:14 says, "lights on a hill," and brilliant reflectors of light of the world. Get well, so you can continually shine for Jesus. Prayers and blessings.

Lori said...

Love the photos! I'm sure he doesn't like to hear about you being sick. Get well soon!!!

Rhonda M said...

Prayers for a very quick recovery! Wrap in that quilt and take care of yourself.

~Niki~ said...

I am so prone to upper respiratory infections~but I live in Arizona~yes, the desert, where it's warm most of the time. Well winteres get a bit more chilly, but not by much. I hope you get to feeling better really soon! :) Love the quilt! omy gosh! that must have taken forever!the detail is fabulous!
happy halloween weekend ;)

Mary said...

I help the quilt, doctor, prayers all work fast and you feel better. The quilt sounds beautiful, snugly, and perfect for this!

Crispy said...

ACK, nothing worse than broncitis...all that coughing with no good results. You take VERY good care of yourself Missy, I expect to hear you are well on the mend within the next couple of days!!

Jeff, leave her blankie alone!!!!

Crispy

Patty Sumner said...

Well, quite the blog........I am so sorry you are sick. Slow down and take care of yourself. I just have to say....the part about the after church...Sunday Dinner....nap thing...gave me a mind picture of the "Waltons". Have you folks gone and turned into the "Waltons" while I have been gone? lol....

Patty Sumner said...

By the way, my most favorite quilt for sleeping is the one you made me several years back. Also, "Bro. Scottie", uses the other one you made us as he lays in his recliner. They both are still soooooo comforting to us. So, I hope your "Waltons" quilt (lol) helps you to feel better soon! You need some of my specialty...homemade chicken noodle soup. Take care!

Anonymous said...

Get yourself to the doctor if you get feeling worse! Bummer Jeff isn't there to bring you soup and cater to your needs. I'm sure he thoroughly enjoyed this post. :-)

Remember the fabric link you gave me for the Mary Koval....it was the RIGHT picture but what I got wasn't. I'm so displeased with them at moment. She knew exactly what I wanted...and says they were out. Does this mean she HOPED I would keep what they sent? Sigh!!

Get well...you don't need to hear my complaints.

LuAnn said...

Hi Mary Lou Hope you get to feeling better really soon. I know the weather has been changing here like crazy and I'm sure that doesn't help you. Just take care and rest. Glad you are going to the doctor to be checked out.

Karen said...

Hope you are feeling better. No fun being sick.
I really like your Whirlygig quilt. It has a somewhat masculine look to it and would be good for a gift for a special guy.

Sarah Craig said...

Oh, Mary Lou - at least you still have your sense of humor!!! I laughed so hard I almost needed some of those Poise pads myself!! I hope you feel better soon!

Dixie Howard said...

Know what you mean about the healing quilt. Just seeing the old, binding fraying, blue and white, half square triangle, rumpled, but oh so cozy quilt I made back in the 90s instantly makes me feel better. As my daughter likes to say, its "worn in". Hope you feel better soon!

antique quilter said...

hope your feeling better and the Dr gave you medicine that makes this go away ASAP!
you can't be sick!
you have to much to do on that to do list! come on I need some inspiration get sewing!
Kathie

QuiltSue said...

I'm sorry, I know i shouldnt, but that post did make me chuckle in places.

I LOVE the quilt, was it your own design?

Get well soon.

Barb said...

poor thing!
Feel better soon friend -
You're idea of a perfect Sunday after noon spoke to me. Rich and I always set aside important "couch napping" tv programming, golf, football, etc.
Pretty quilt to cuddle with

jan said...

Mary Lou!!! Girl, you gotta take care of yourself and get better, You've got a party on Monday!! ;) Prayers going up, Sister. Jehovah Rapha

Shelley said...

Oh my...if Poise is needed, you MUST be sick! I had to laugh over that LOL! Anyone who's had several kids can relate! Feel better soon Mary Lou and I want to see the picture of you leaping like a calf! LOL!

StitchinByTheLake said...

Hilarious post but I truly am sorry you're sick - I know that's miserable. I think a doctor's visit is truly called for. blessings, marlene

Rose Marie said...

Hope you feel better soon and snuggling under that quilt is not such a bad thing to do. Rest is part of the recovery.

Joanne said...

You are such an amazing storyteller ... quite a gift !!! I hope by now you are feeling better. Will be praying for you and your family. Prayers and hugs, Joanne

Anonymous said...

God bless you Mary Lou!!! And your hubby!!! My son and daughter in law are in the army and I understand praying for them! I pray for your lungs, and that Jesus will heal you today!...This very hour! Amen!