By Marion R. Cottrell

I am a quilter. Early in March 2020, the quilting group I am involved with received instructions for the chosen quilt project we would be doing in August. “Scrappers Delight” is a clever and attractive way to turn fabric scrap into something useable.

Then, on March 11, 2020, a Global Pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization. Many of us thought it would inconvenience us for a few weeks, perhaps a few months. When reality hit, we knew we’d be in this for the long haul.

Nearing the end of March, I suspected the week of quilting together in August would likely not happen. Because of the visiting restrictions imposed by COVID-19, I had plenty of time on my hands. I decided to begin working on my “Scrappers Delight.”

By mid-April, I had a few of the 12.5 inch blocks completed of the 48 required. Four of these would be sewn together to make a 24.5 inch square. Twelve 24.5 inch squares would complete the quilt. I had an impressive amount of fabric scraps to work with as a friend, months earlier, had given me her stash to add to my own. It was joyful, although a mentally challenging task, to choose colours pleasing to the eye while trying to wisely use what was on hand.

Then news from Nova Scotia began to fill the broadcasts. On April 18 and 19, one man, in a rampage of senseless violence, took 22 lives.

Shockwaves swept across that province, extended across our nation and around the world. The peacefulness of my little craft room was shattered.

Each day as I continued to work, I was thinking and praying for all the people directly and indirectly affected. The horror and ripple effects of this tragedy are impossible to imagine. This happened during the early weeks of the global pandemic and I suspected it played a role in this deplorable crime being committed. Although I personally had no connection to any of the victims, I felt deep sorrow for the grieving families and friends.

As time went on, I decided I would dedicate a 24.5 inch block of my quilt to the memory of the 22 lives lost. I contacted a Nova Scotia quilt shop and ordered enough Nova Scotia Tartan craft fabric to use as a border within and around my memorial block. As well as doing that binding around the completed quilt. I am grateful my 14-year-old granddaughter, Josie Lutzak, used her artistic talents to complete the block.

My memorial block is meant to honour the lives and memories of each of the casualties of April 18 and 19, 2020. I chose to acknowledge the coronavirus also as it surely impacted the grieving process and ability of families to come together and to heal together.

When the twelve 24.5 inch blocks were all joined together they created a brightly coloured, double bed sized quilt, at 71 inches wide and 96 inches long. I have taken the liberty, as a quilter, to change the name of my quilt from “Scrappers Delight” to “Remembering.” What began as a COVID-19 project to fill time became an emotional journey to compassionately reach out to our Maritime citizens. May God touch them and give them peace.

READ THE FULL STORY in the March 10 of The Weekly Review – buy the single issue online below:

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