Stashing Sisters Display of Finished Quilts at the 2020 Retreat

It was a quilting retreat not to be forgotten.  The setting up of tables, ironing boards, and machines had been well rehearsed from past retreats and all went smoothly.  A few stashers came early, others came later in the midnight hours but they came.

Then there was the food . . . ah, yes.  A menu is always planned ahead of time followed by a wild furry of e-mails responding to the list of who is to bring what.  The fun of the food is not only that it is delicious but everyone brings more than what they signed up for.  Snacky things, special diet things, not special diet things.  It’s all on the table.

Stashing Sisters Retreat 2020 ushered in the shut down of our world as we know it.  At least for a little while.  Phones started pinging and notices on computers became rampant as the coronavirus known as COVID-19 flourished.  Ping. . .  “Church gatherings are no more – worship at home”.   Ping . . . “School is now online, no more classrooms”.  Ping . . . “Missionaries to return to their home countries”.  Ping . . . “Universities will not gather”.  Ping . . . “No gatherings larger than 10 people”.  Ping . . . “Shelter at home”.  Ping . . . Ping . . . Ping . . .

Concentration was diverted and conversation enhanced as we talked with each other and our families about the changes happening but being superb multi-taskers, the Stashers sewed through it all.  They have proven that the creative person can use their talent and energy in multiple arenas, including problem solving.  It is because they have a flow of creativity inherent in their being.

On the final day, a superb health conscious Sister taught how to exercise and stretch in efficient ways so as not to take too much time from our sewing.  We also thought upon our devotional that promoted the idea of creativity as a Godly attribute.  We packed up, cleaned up, and sang “God Be With You ‘Til We Meet Again”.  May God be with each of you.