Instead of a binding for Epicenter,
I chose to add a facing -
the first one I've ever done.
But why a facing for this particular quilt?
Well . . .
There's a story behind the decision
and I'm going to share it with you here.
I'll break it up with photos of the finished quilt
taken before I delivered it to the quilt shop.
In 1996, one of my mentors wrote her original version
of this testimonial for Mertie Buckman (now deceased),
one of our area’s great philanthropists.
In 1999, I learned Beth intended to share
the following version at a high-level luncheon
for the college's womens' philanthropy group.
I was the admin assistant helping to coordinate
all aspects of the luncheon and I shared my idea
for what I thought needed to be done
with my two bosses --
and they agreed with great enthusiasm.
That weekend, I went out and found several hundred
unassuming rocks and wrapped each one in
clear cellophane tied with red/black grosgrain ribbon.
(red and black = the college colors)
As the guests arrived for the luncheon,
they found a wrapped rock at each place setting.
Despite some initial confusion
(thinking the rock was some sort of candy)
when the event was over,
not one of the rocks was left behind.
Mine still sits beside my computer monitor.
Here is what my mentor Beth shared with the group
as she dedicated the luncheon gathering to Miss Mertie:
". . . It's such a tiny, inconsequential gift
that I'm going to tell you what it is.
It's a very simple little rock that I picked
by the side of a lake in Arkansas
where I spent many happy times this summer
with my young grandsons throwing rocks into the water.
We loved watching the rocks splash
and make ripples which spread out and out on the lake.
We would wonder where the ripples -
"circles" they called them - might end up.
On one of those occasions my mind was racing ahead
to this day and I was wondering what I might ever say to you.
Suddenly those ripples took on new meaning.
I could see them as the ripples of kindness
set in motion by your gracious acts of generosity.
I could envision the countless numbers of people
whose lives would be touched -
people whom you will never see or know -
people who will find hope and encouragement
and opportunity they might never have imagined.
Those of us who have been fortunate enough
to stand close by you on the shore have seen
the enormous splash and the resounding waves
produced by your generosity -
even though your gifts have been given so quietly
and with such modest grace.
We can imagine those waves becoming 'circles'
spreading out and touching lives for years and years to come.
There is no way to measure the effect of your generosity
and kindness in the lives of others.
What we can know is the effect in our own lives.
I have seen so well what it has meant to have your help
in shaping the purpose and the plans for this organization.
Your wise counsel and your presence - and most of all,
your example - are clearly reflected in what we hope
to accomplish as we encourage others to become
more deeply committed as leaders and benefactors.
Of all the gifts you have given, none, I think,
is as important as the gift of your example.
Behind those bright blue eyes there is a spirit
of kindness and grace that reaches deep into our hearts.
You show us what it is to live believing in the future
and believing in the potential of others.
You show us a life lived with faith
and compassion and selflessness.
And most of all, you show us what we might become.
And so I give you this simple little rock,
in the hope that it will remind you always
of my deep affection and admiration and
of my gratitude for having stood in your presence.
God bless you and keep you."
* * *
So now you can understand
why I didn't want standard quilt binding
on this particular quilt.
Quiltdivajulie
