Patched Memories

Every piece of cloth or rug is a raw of treasure for my Aunt Matilda. She doesn't waste on any piece of trash, and I always tell her that she's a walking garbage can. But she shrugs it off and collects anyway. Aunt Matilda is a widow at 29. Since she lost her beloved husband John, she devoted most of her time with us. She's like a nanny, an aunt, and a friend. And all like her quilt.I remember one time, when I was fond of collecting action figures, she took my Marvel comics without my permission. I asked for it back but she didn't budge so I gave her a cold shoulder. Whenever she's around, I would lock myself up in my room. After a week, I woke up to a smell fresh of my favorite hot chocolate, so I surrendered and gave her a smile. She then handed me a quilt. It was a bed sheet made of different pieces of cloth, with different action figures on each square. I was very much surprised! To think that I mistreated her with heavy banging of doors and vagrant stamps whenever she's around. Years have past but I have not forgotten the wonderful gift. Just last summer, I learned that she's suffering from a liver failure. As often as possible my mom would visit her but she would always ask her to go home and to tend to our needs. After 5 years, it will be the first time I'll see her. I thought of buying her a gift but it was more difficult than I thought it would be. Until I saw a sewing machine and I remembered how she patched those dreams of mine into a quilt. I bought her one so she could always be reminded of patched memories in our lives. Before she left, she made me a curtain. She called it Matilda's curtain, so she could always guide us and protect us with this piece of cloth. I brought it home and asked my kids to learn how to sew, because sewing is not only a leisure but a good way to create something that will touch life.