POEM – “Our Quilter’s Hands”

Today I step aside from my usual writings to share a poem I created (with tears in my eyes) on the day our beloved mother, Clarice Arlone Sletten Noorlun, left this earth for the loving Shores of Heaven.   That day was June 23rd, 2017.  She enjoyed a wonderful 98 years and 3 months here on earth.  Oh sure, she experienced the natural bodily limitations of nearly a century of living, but this precious lady was the most thankful soul I’ve ever known!  I recall her saying on many occasions, “There’s always SOMETHING to be thankful for!!”  Amen!!, Mom.    Mom LOVED to quilt!  It was her creative way of giving to, not only her immediate family, but also to homeless shelters, little babies at her church, etc..

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Our Quilter’s hands are silent now, Life’s tapestry complete.

The embroidery of her 98 years, Now lain at Jesus’ feet.

Her quilting frame lays silent, too, Just like her earthly frame,

No longer to hold, Its creators quilts, Signed with Clarice’s name.

Like a quilt, Life happened “one stitch at a time”, Each “color of thread” just right.

And like a quilt, She made us warm, As we’d bid each other “Good Night!”.

I’m sure that during her adventure of life, A “stitch” maybe came undone,

But with the Lord’s power, She’d “stitch up” life,  Her praise always went to God’s Son.

The “frame” of her life, Began for Mom, On a snow-bound day in ’19.

The doctor came by horseback, Across that blizzard scene.

The “batting” to make Mom’s “life quilt” warm, Came from her mother so dear.

Amanda’s love, For little Clarice, Was a weld that held them near.

Though times were hard, And sometimes sad, Our mother rose above,

She strove for all, That’s fair and kind, For within beat the heart of a dove.

Clarice’s “life quilt”, Grew “block” by “block”, With her marriage to our dad,

And the “blocks” of four children, Graced their life, Two girls, a son and this lad.

That mother of ours, Had such a heart, For others she chose to live,

Therefore her quilts, Became a source, Of love for her to give.

Family, friends, Young mothers in need, Even homeless received her creation,

To know a soul, Would sleep warm that night, Gave our mother such sweet elation!

Though tears fill my eyes, Such joy fills my soul,

To have known and been loved by our mother,

Heaven knows this boy, Received the joy, Of her love that equaled no other!!!