My Creative Side
... The project was completed and boxed up for the trip to the museum. The day came to go to the awards ceremony, and I walked to the museum with judging started and the prizes were given out for third and forth places, and there were still six pieces to pick from for first and second. My piece and my friends' piece were moved to the front of the table. My excitement was growing; I had never won anything before. They announced that the second prize went to my friend, which meant I had won first place. Walking back to school that afternoon the class was talking about how beautiful my piece was and asking what I was going to do with the money. That night during dinner, while I was sharing the good news with my Dad, the phone rang. My art teacher was on the phone and she had more good news for me, there had been a woman at the museum that day, who wanted to buy the candleholder from me. The woman was getting ready for her daughters wedding and thought the piece was just perfect for the bride and grooms table. I was so proud of what I had accomplished, I now knew that what I could create was not just so enough to give as gifts to my family it was good enough to sell. But giving my creative accomplishments as gifts would always be the greatest thrill for me The thrill of creating beautiful things to give as gifts followed me into the service, where after my first son was born, I was given a layette, from a wives club that made them for new moms. I cherished that gift and thought about it often. I had friends who were having babies, and I went to work nights when Chris was asleep making quilts for their new babies, I was making them according to what their decor was in the nursery. Of course Chris had all kinds of homemade things in his room. This practice went on for years; every duty station I transferred to I would make a quilt for every new mom stationed with me. The joy I felt when I presented the quilt, was enough to have made me cry. When I retired from the Navy, I still continued to make quilts for the new moms at my husband's commands. Now I make the quilts for other people to give as gifts and even though I am making money for them I still feel the same sense of joy and pride I had ...