DianeHamillFiberArt

 

 

Last year I went on a trip to France.  The tour was with the Daughters of the American Revolution and focused on the anniversary of the end of WWI.  We visited several of the American military cemeteries and monuments in France maintained by the American Battle Monument Commission.  These cemeteries are beautifully cared for, peaceful resting places commemorating the service and sacrifice of American military in WWI and WWII.

During one of the cemetery visits, we were given the opportunity to place a flower at the tombstone of our choice.  If I had thought about this before I left home, I would have looked up someone from our hometown to remember.  Since I didn’t know anyone buried in this cemetery, I chose to place my tribute at the grave of an unknown soldier. As I placed the single flower, I wondered if anyone had ever placed a flower for this young man?  How long had it been since someone knelt to remember him?  He was some mother’s son and she must have been left heartbroken and wondering where he was for the rest of her life.

This experience inspired the cashmere blanket I recently completed.  Blankets are big projects and I have decided to start naming each one.  This one will be “Remembrance.”  The poppies are for remembrance and were inspired by the poem, “In Flanders Fields.”  The colors lead your eye from the darkest black through shades of gray and finally into a burst of glorious, vibrant red.  This blanket will be for sale on my Etsy site: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DianeHamillFiberArt

I see this blanket inspiring hope through remembrance.  Even though the soldier I sought to honor is unknown, he is not forgotten and because someone remembers him, he lives on.  I hope you will be inspired to remember someone you hold dear.