the red thread

by kye on August 28, 2009

I’ve had this red pillowcover for eighteen years now.  Dominique made it for me when I was pregnant and nesting—I found the material in the remnants at London Fabrics.

Dominique moved to Seattle; London Fabrics closed long ago; so did my marriage.  But here is this red cover, looking humble among my later pillows but not especially worn.

Actually, it’s not really red:  Under the magnifying glass there’s blue… gold… cream… and those are rose threads!

When my eyes were younger, I knew that.

Tagged as: continuity, getting older, remembering

  • http://www.scribeforthetribe.com/ Charley Forness

    A beautiful piece, which is why I love prose that can act as poetry. The images and feelings it invokes in me are probably quite different than for you. I thought of how, in this case, the object has been a trusty, faithful and beautiful part of your life, and has managed to stand the test of time longer than children staying in the nest, or spouses remaining loyal and loving.

    The pillow cover evokes images and memories of days gone by, though the memories remain for you.

    I've said this previously but I am just so intrigued that this is a personal blog that writes in a format that is quite poetic. I'm not accustomed to seeing that and I enjoy it very much, being a poet and songwriter.

    Thanks for the wonderful article.

    - Charley

  • kye

    Thanks, Charley, I'm glad you liked it :)

    It is so odd and interesting that a small humble thing can endure, when the big things one thinks will last a lifetime, don't.

    Kye

  • http://www.personaldevelopmentpro.net/ Karlil

    In the past, i can never stand the sight of old memories, memories which i desperately try to avoid. Recently however, i started to learn how to appreciate my old memories, regardless of good and bad. Thanks for the post Kye. It’s beautiful

  • jsdixon

    What do you think caused you to forget the color?

  • kye

    …seeing only the blurred blending of the colors with older eyes, which (like when you spin a color wheel to make white) made a new color.

    After years of seeing only the blended color, I associated that with the pillow, rather than the rose+cream+gold+blue of the individual threads

  • http://www.personaldevelopmentpro.net/ Karlil

    This remind me of some of the things that i have thrown away desperately to avoid reminiscing the past.

  • http://sharingsuccess.tv/ jai kai – SharingSuccess.tv

    Kye,
    I love how we continually remember, expand, create and evolve.
    thanks for allowing me to see some hidden truths.

  • kye

    Karlil — yes, these past-drenched objects are a double edged sword. They carry the joys and also the losses and sorrows.

  • kye

    It takes courage, doesn't it?

  • kye

    :yes, and also the past is not fixed and final–it evolves with us.

  • http://www.balanceinme.com Anastasiya

    A lot changes in our life over the years. Sometimes I can't believe it has been 2, 5, 10 years since something happened. I can't believe how much I forgot. And still once I look back I appreciate my past and I appreciate my present even more. My memories remind me how important it is to live in present and enjoy my life this very moment. I want to be able to look back and be happy with what I have seen there.
    Thanks Kye, your posts are always so inspiring. I truly admire your style and your inspiration to write such amazing essays.

  • http://www.balanceinme.com Anastasiya

    A lot changes in our life over the years. Sometimes I can't believe it has been 2, 5, 10 years since something happened. I can't believe how much I forgot. And still once I look back I appreciate my past and I appreciate my present even more. My memories remind me how important it is to live in present and enjoy my life this very moment. I want to be able to look back and be happy with what I have seen there.
    Thanks Kye, your posts are always so inspiring. I truly admire your style and your inspiration to write such amazing essays.

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