Thanks for asking this question Suzequilts. I've really enjoyed reading the thread.
My avatar is of a quilt that I designed and sewed while helping my dad to care for my mom who had Alzheimers and cancer. We had decided to forgo treatment. My life was so filled with her terminal illnesses and the stress of my job and family that I felt as though I was living in a dark pit. Anyway, I had the idea to make a bright, happy quilt. This is it. It probably kept me from falling into the bottom of that pit. Just before her death, I was able to tell mom that the quilt won a first place ribbon in our guild show. I don't really think she understood my words, but I told her anyway.