Commencement Season

I am finishing up the last of this graduation season's t-shirt quilts and have been reminded that, for many, their quilts are closing a chapter of their lives. By far and large, these kids are leaving for college in a matter of weeks and will face the biggest transition of their lives to date. What has been important enough to preserve in a memory quilt - a play, a concert, a team, is done. Sure, there will be new plays, concerts and maybe a new sports team, but these young adults will create new interests, find new loves and yes, gather a whole new slew of t-shirts. Commencement is as much about closure as going forth; graduations are this odd time of saying goodbye and hello at the same time. The anticipation of bright futures is palpable as each quilt is delivered that preserves meaningful pasts. I can only hope to be creating their college graduation t-shirt quilts. It seems commencements never stop.