We are a consumer society and I suppose I am guilty of being a constant consumer myself. My downfall is buying books. I’ve hardly ever met a quilt book or textile history book I didn’t think I needed. Ok. Quilt history writing is my profession. At least that is how I justify my purchases. Lately, I’ve tried to stop justifying anything I do. After all these years of hard work, I feel entitled to just about anything I want that is affordable and within reason. My wishes are usually small, relatively speaking.
At least I have a focus in life. As I see it, I celebrate “pieces of the past,” those “pieces” being material objects that are the legacy of once-living souls. Sometimes, these individuals made quilts; in other cases, textiles were created in tribute to their lives, and in still other instances, purchased material goods served to represent the people who loved them who were away and could not be there in person.
Due to their shorter life expectancy, textiles usually are not as valued in the public eye as, say, fine European paintings by (male) painters, or finely crafted wood furniture, or highly-perfected sculptures that have a record of longevity over centuries. On the other hand, the apparel of monarchy is preserved in medieval paintings and other historic paintings such as the murals of Velazquez at El Prado Museum in Madrid.
Tonight, I cannot sleep. I am thinking about how much I value textiles. I am also considering the upcoming birthday of a granddaughter and pondering what I could possibly do to honor her special day. The answer I am coming up with is nothing! She has “everything.” The house is swimming with toys, books and videos. The grandchildren have constant stimulation. Taken to museums, libraries and playgrounds, they participate in swim lessons and play dates and are taken across the country and beyond. I’ve already made her a quilt.
When I exit this world, I will leave behind a huge amount of research and writing that is unique and was original to me, when I wrote it. I consider myself lucky to share ideas with the millions of people who have read my words on my website, in books, magazines, newspapers, in letters and newsletters. Mostly, I sit here alone with my thoughts. Writing is not generally a collective effort! It is a solitary and often lonely existence, but a way to reach out. Writing makes me happy and so does making quilts. That is my life and my legacy and furthermore, all that I can possibly give. Time itself is truly the greatest gift.
Patricia Cummings
