Hello, everyone… i am overwhelmed and humbled by all of your heartfelt responses and ideas. I hope that everyone knows and understands that my intent on posting about this situation was not to make anyone sad, angry, or discouraged. I am trying so hard to understand something i never even imagined might happen - let alone that it might literally fall into my lap. As you might have gathered here, this event has truly shaken me.
BUT… it really has caused me to consider a few things. Bottom line… when youre gone it may very well be true that NOBODY WANTS YOUR STUFF. Ok, i really do kinda get it now. BUT… will i let this stop me from doing the thing i love? No, it wont because there is still so much good that can come from my efforts. And YOUR efforts as well. When i started quilting over 30 years ago it truly helped me healing a very broken heart over the sudden loss of my beloved Dad. I always wanted to quilt but had no idea where to start, but a very wonderful shop owner taught me and became a cherished friend. I found that quilting helped me to give of myself to others in painful circumstances - and in doing so i found ways to honor my Dads memory. In the process with Gods help i found healing and a depth of empathy that has become a treasure in my life that i share with others. The best sharing for me is in those anonymous gifts to people i will probably never know or meet. Knowing that SOMEONE CARES is something this world needs more of.
So… what about MY STUFF - the stuff my two grown sons and their families might have no use or appreciation for or desire to keep? All this has gotten me to thinking… i do know people who would appreciate certain things which are cherished to me. I can make sure that i gift those things while i am still here to do that and see their enjoyment. I do know many people who wouldnt let them end up in a dumpster or thrift shop. I really struggled to come to this place, but i dont want to judge THE QUILTERS family… its just hard for me to understand what happened. Maybe i dont need to. Maybe i just need to be THE CHANGE I WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD and let this event serve a positive function in my life.
Its a wake up call for me. I wont let it keep me from doing the things i love. But i will let it broaden my perspective. Its ok everybody, we CAN use something like this to help us be more intentional about things we maybe hadnt thought about before. Im not saying that YOU havent - im saying that I HAVENT! I cant unsee or unfeel the aftermath of all of this. Maybe at my age there are still a few things i need to GROW UP about - in a POSITIVE and LOVING WAY.
Again, thank you ALL for helping me sort this out. All i can do is offer it as food for thought here.