TeXas Our TeXas Quilt...AtoZ Letter X

As Josephine and I are nearing our final days of working on her Texas Our Texas Quilt, I can't help but think back to my first time stitching on this Texas Quilt.   It was Monday, April 1st, with the Letter A post...The A Frame. 

I remember being really nervous about my hand stitching skills, but Josephine was patient and didn't mention my #9 Fence Post Needle and the less than perfect stitches I made on her quilt.  I also remember my feeling of deja vu and Jo calling me Janie.  So today, when she commented on how much my hand quilting had improved and how she had enjoyed our time together, I asked her about calling me Janie.  I was blown away with what she said....

When you started stitching on Emily's Yellow Rose block, I told you her story and how I learned to sew and quilt from her.  I kept thinking you would ask if she also did the 'Mockingbird' block, but when you didn't, I just let the story of how it came to be in this quilt pass.

I'm glad you asked about my calling you Janie.  The moment you sat down here at this quilting frame, I had the strongest feeling of deja vu and that I knew you...and not just casually, but in my soul.  From somewhere deep inside a voice spoke for me when I said, "I'm glad you're here, Janie".  It surprised me, and when you didn't react or correct me, I just let it go. 

Later, as I thought it over, I realized how much you reminded me of my great grandmother Josephine's oldest daughter Martha Jane who everyone called Janie.  I was very young when we would all gather for Family Quilting Bees, and I remember her mostly from my grandmother Belle who was Janie's 18 years younger sister.  Anyway, to keep this from being a long family lineage story...Janie was in her late 80's when she stitched the 'Mockingbird' block.  And that is the only reason I can think of why I called you Janie.  Can you think of anything?

As I listened to Jo's story, the strangest feeling of what I can only describe as an 'epiphany' came over me.  It was not the first time I had heard that I favored a woman named Martha Jane.   In reply to her question I asked,

"Josephine, what was your great grandmother Josephine's last name?"

"Marley"

The 'epiphany' exploded, "No wonder we feel so connected".

"I am Janie's great granddaughter!!!"

Josephine to Sue

Okay, so what does that make us?

Sue to Josephine

2nd Cousins 1x Removed

Josephine to Alma

Meet our Cousin Sue!!!

See Ya Monday for The Letter Y