I’m a work in progress

From a stack of 10-inch cut squares to a small forest.

Who would have thought that I could sustain such a devastating injury to my hand in Pilates class? Certainly not myself. It still feels surreal at times. It has been a year, and my healing journey isn't over, as I'm still very much a work in progress.

As I ease myself back into quilting after taking a year off, I'm taking it slowly, very slowly. I'm not yet able to apply enough pressure with my hand the way you do when pressing down on a quilting ruler to hold it in place without a lot of discomfort. That's why I chose this particular type of foundation paper piecing. While the old me would have zipped right through this entire project in a matter of a few days, the new me has to make adjustments and allowances for resting her hands. I take time out for heat therapy in the paraffin bath and then I go read a book, usually one on quilting. I have to take it slowly, doing just a little each day, whether cutting, pressing, or sewing. I pace myself. So, what would have taken a few days is now taking me weeks.

What's the saying? “Can't see the forest for the trees.” I'd lost perspective for a while. I was being so focused on the details (the trees) that I missed the overall situation (the forest) – that I am making progress and I am healing. I need to remind myself that I'm not a 30-something recovering from two back-to-back hand surgeries, I'm a mature woman in her 60s recovering from two back-to-back hand surgeries.

Like I said, I'm a work in progress.