On Sunday May 15, 2005, I was challenged by the following post on the QuiltArt on-line List by Karey Bresenhan, a co-founder of the International Quilt Association:
"The deadline for the Mama Project is JUNE 1! Here's a big dose of encouragement to all of you who are planning to submit your work by the June 1 deadline! And to those of you who really WANT to enter but just haven't gotten started,trust me--my mama, Jewel Patterson, in whose memory this project was started, would understand completely. She ALWAYS bit off more than she could chew, thought she could do more than humanly possible in a given time, dreamed dreams bigger than her hands could finish, and was generally a Last Minute Lady to the nth degree. She'd definitely understand, but then she'd cock her head and twinkle her eyes at you, pat your hand sympathetically and tell you in no uncertain terms that what you really need to do is JUST GET IN THERE AND GET TO WORK! DEADLINE: June 1. Today's May 15. Two weeks loom ahead...14 days...436 hours...so who needs sleep?"

[© 2005, Marlene Linton O'Bryant-Seabrook, 43" x 33"]

I decided to "bite" and immediately started looking for photos and mementos, then, called my youngest son and asked him to scan and e-mail his grandmother's New York University graduation photo. The following day, I sent my grandson to the attic to retrieve my mom's NYU degree. From my stash, I selected an African print which had been given to me. I thought that it was perfect - elegant African women on a green background. My mother's maiden name was GREENwood.

During the next two weeks, I worked diligently, made an appointment with my photographer for the "latest possible time" on May 31, and made the June 1 deadline for my e-mailed image. "WHEW!" On June 20, I learned that my quilt had been selected as one of 60 from nine countries to be a part of the "I REMEMBER MAMA" Exhibition and book.

Titled, LESSONS LEARNED, this tribute in fabric focuses on five lessons modeled by my phenomenal grandmother, Fannie Rutherford Greenwood-Quarles, and learned by my mother, Arabella Greenwood Linton, who passed them on to me, her only child. Through my ancestors, I have learned about (info in parentheses included on quilt):

THE GIFT of LEGACY (Grandmother's 75th birthday; Mom during World War II[photo found in Dad's wallet]; Grandmother set the pace for three generations of educators.)

THE REWARDS of EDUCATING (Grandmother - graduated from college - 1912, retired as principal after 48 years; Mom - Masters from New York University - 1959, retired after 36 years; "Me" - Ph.D. from University of South Carolina - 1975, retired after 30 years. As teacher, principal, and college professor, we touched the lives of students for a collective 114 years.)

THE FULFILLMENT of CREATING (Mom taught me to crochet when I was eight and took a sewing class with me when I was twelve. She allowed me to create her classroom bulletin boards while I was still in elementary school. This was my introduction to "applique".)

THE FLAIR for FASHION (The purple kid glove and linen handkerchief are from my mom and grandmother's extensive collection; "CROWNED" - My mom and her first great-granddaughter in their Sunday hats.

The SERENITY of "LETTING GO" Pages from booklet (dated 1985) and notes included my mother's instructions and final wishes which were periodically updated; a piece of her "last day dress". )

My extraordinary mom, who led me through this process as if we were planning for a prom, died on January 9, 1996. What a lady!!!

My grandmother and mother were truly the wind beneath my wings.