My sister and I made a pact to each create a felt and sequined bird once a month during 2021. When we were small, our mom made some beautiful sequined bird ornaments for our Christmas tree. These, unfortunately, were lost during the sale of our parents’ estate.
As I made a bird every month, I hung them from a light fixture above my kitchen table. Eventually, there were too many to fit there. At the end of May, I climbed up on my kitchen table to remove all the birds and move them elsewhere. Slowly and carefully I climbed on my knees onto the kitchen table. All was well until the table began to tip. Ceramic items slid off the table and crashed to the floor. I quickly hopped backwards off the table. Our pilgrim salt and pepper shakers which we kept out year-round were among the casualties of the fall.
The next day, the outside of my left foot hurt. I was pretty sure I had banged it on the table while jumping off. I waited for the bruise to appear, but it never did.
The pain in my foot continued, and got worse. I went to my favorite foot Doctor. He took Xrays and asked a lot of questions. He couldn’t find anything wrong with my foot. He said we could get an MRI to learn more, or wait and see if it got better. I elected to wait, and then called him the next day to ask for a referral for an MRI.
The MRI results showed that nothing was wrong with my foot. My favorite foot Doctor suggested that my foot was hurting because when I jumped off the kitchen table, I hurt my back, which was sending pain signals to the outside of my left foot. He had me write down the name of this phenomenon – radiculopathy. I thought he was joking. He’s a funny guy. But he wasn’t kidding.
Months later, the pain comes and goes. I’ve had a few chiropractic adjustments. It’s much better than it was at first.
When we received the prompt of anatomy, I thought about the MRI images of my foot. (and my back) I thought about making little faces in each of my toes. And one day, I was humming the song about the ankle bone’s connected to the shin bone, and I thought of a marionette, where the body is controlled by strings. And how a higher authority controls what happens to us in our lives, and we are in His hands.
In His Hands
24 x 41”
Commercial and upcycled cottons, string
Fused, raw edge applique, machine quilted
Karol, I’m very glad you were able to turn your pain into this beautiful piece, such an interesting idea! I hope you will get better quickly.
I’m very sorry that you felt a pain, but you made a very cute work.
Sorry you had to experience pain to create your Anatomy quilt. And I learned a new word from you, too.
Oh, Karol, this story so resonates with my own history. I am so intrigued by your link to the table hopping injury and the path of pain you will follow now with your back. A wonderful interpretation in your piece of the anatomy prompt and I love the birds – each and every one.
See a good holistic osteopath that does all the work including cranial manipulation. They know all the neural connections probably better than the chiropractor and can “feel” them and locate them better. My sister has proven that over and over. I swear it is voodoo, but good voodoo. .
I appreciate the advice, Marilyn.
So much creativity in thought and design! It’s wonderful!
Thanks so much. I enjoyed making this fun piece.
I agree it sounds ridiculous to have radiculopathy. I’m sorry it’s painful, and I hope the funny name helps cheer you up. And I love the way your marionette’s face is so expressive.
Thank you, Kat. It could be much worse. We seem to never know what kinds of aches and pains may show up from day to day.
Such an interesting interpretation and story behind it.
Thank you Lisa. I was thinking how my lower back was connected to my foot. Our bodies are fascinating!