Sue Babbs
"Every Cloud has a Silver Lining"
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| (Photos by Patrick Fraser) |
My umbrella is a cloud, with many layers to it: first, a muslin structure to give it stability and stop it from stretching, then a layer of felted roving which is covered in bobbin lace, needle lace and free-form crochet, and the whole is lined with silver spandex and sequins. Our lives are filled with past, present and future experiences intertwining, and dependent upon each other.
Looking back in time, my high school had as its motto, “Quaecumque vera,pura, honesta” - taken from Philippians chapter 4, in which we are encouraged to “Rejoice in the Lord always” and exhorted to reflect on “whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable.” This always struck me as a healthy way to approach life, even though I don’t always succeed in doing so!
Currently, my Church is connected with a state-funded nursing home in Northbrook. We see the residents when they are happy and sad, when they are missing their family, facing health challenges, suffering from medication imbalances, and we grieve with them when one of their number dies.
It often amazes me that they can smile and laugh and joke, even in the face of adversity. One such resident is Joan, who acts as librarian, going around the rooms with a cart of donated books. As a consequence of her faith, she is determined to look for the good in everything. In so doing, she brings joy, peace and happiness to those around her.
My umbrella is dedicated to Joan, for whom “Every Cloud has a Silver Lining.” May she be an inspiration for all our futures.