Those we carry with us.  

When I was younger, I remember feeling disappointed in myself. I felt all I had achieved in my (at the time) 15 years of life was suffering. I had been through so much pain and trauma, that my life didn’t seem to have a bright future like my peers; in fact, all I saw for my future was darkness. Now going back and being able to reflect on this time has allowed me to realize there were lights all around me, even in my darkest of moments. These lights were the people who loved and supported me and kept me from not only surviving, but fighting. 

I created Those We Carry With Us to thank all of the people who have been there for me. Each of these people are represented through an embroidered symbol of themselves, varying from flowers, to dogs, to miscellaneous objects. Each dark aqua square represents someone who has had an impactful impression on my life, but is no longer a part of my life. The floral squares without embroidery are symbolic of the people thus far to come into my life, who have yet  to impact me.

 I quilted this piece in the shape of a hospital gown, as a quilt has always been a comforting item for me, that reminds me of my family. But in addition to a piece that brings comfort, it also represents this vulnerable state I have been in too many times when wearing a hospital gown. I symbolically wear the squares of the people who have impacted me most as a comforting embrace. Each time I enter a hospital I symbolically carry them with me, for they have shown me being vulnerable is not always a bad thing.