So many reasons I didn't know before about HOW MUCH
I needed to be here in New Hampshire! Blessings overflowing!
Within 24 hours of the post last Sunday evening, we stumbled
upon news that 1) Tomie has been living and working near
here in New London, New Hampshire, and 2) that he had
suddenly died following a fall at home (March 30, 2020).
He was 85 years old, and said he couldn't imagine retiring - EVER.
(Learning that he died after a fall opens an old, healing wound.)
Anyone who has read award-winning stories to children in recent
decades will know of Tomie dePaola (pronounced de-Pow-la).
The book and illustrations that "launched" his career was this one:
Most of this post will be a gesture of respect to Tomie.
But before that, I wish to record here our recent, very
different experience with the April 9th transfers.
First change: NO new incoming missionaries (being kept at home
until things improve.) Second change: NO large gathering of young
Elders and Sisters who arrive and re-mix for new assignments.
Instead, with miraculous choreography, the APs released
travel plans in four "waves" at one-hour afternoon intervals
to try to avoid the temptation for too-close association,
or chatting and waiting around. Here their compliance with
"social distancing" shows even with parked mission cars.
To protect them and US seniors, the transfers occurred
almost completely outside - and it was a very rainy day.
Supplies and missionary mail dissemination happened
from under a canopy. Pre-packed snack bags were placed
inside the open-back mission trailer (though many didn't know).
My duties for *regular transfers (*what does that mean?)
involve ordering in Panera bagels and cream cheese,
procuring fresh fruit, string cheese and packaged
snacks for those traveling in from distances and then
back out to avoid the need to stop for dinner somewhere.
This image below, was from the pre-COVID-19 transfer
in late February where you can see the happy associating
and tables full of snacks.
This time I put up paper sacks with non-refrigerated
foods so missionaries could grab-n-go.
Change Three: no excursion to Concord, MA to
the Old North Bridge, or farewell dinner and testimonies
shared across the dinner table at the Concord Inn.
Instead, those departing in this group (1.5 weeks after
the previous early release group) were staying-at-home
between two regular or vacant mission apartments and
the Bedford, NH mission home. In these pictures, we
are saying good-bye from a distance, in the rain.
First to those at the Manchester 4 apartment
(Sisters Christiansen, Crook, Nye and Ogden), and . . .
. . . in Bedford (Sisters Bell, Johnson, Drollinger;
Elders White and Cluff).
This is what the other side of the farewells looked like:
we used our prepared sign (awaiting an Easter delivery)
to express what is usually offered with handshake or hug.
Change Four: no in-person send off, with smiles,
tears (no escaping those), shared stories, etc.
That night, we huddled around computers for a multi-screen
Zoom tele-conference. (In tiny upper right screen are
Sisters Rumsey, Foote and Chesley, housed in Nashua.)
Not to be with them all was brutal.
One more pre-amble: our Easter Sabbath experiences.
During an Easter week walk to nearby St. Anselm College campus,
Vince and I explored around the monastery grounds,
and came to this beautiful, secluded sculpture of
Christ Ascending at the end of a modified "points of
the Cross" nature walk. Here under sponsorship from
a different religious tradition, it was touching and
soul-filling for me, in this time of chaos and unease.
A bright spot in our Easter morning was seeing this customized
digital bunny visit, sent from our friend Andrea. So fun!
Easter afternoon, we drove 30 miles east to Epping
and tried to return the favor at Andrea's home,
though Elder Warner is NOT quite as cute! Nor fuzzy.
Returning to honoring Tomie dePaola: Monday evening's
local news broadcast was followed by the usual Chronicle
show on NHPBS, which showcases local human interest stories.
I was drawn in when I recognized the subject of a re-airing show,
then immediately knew this was an in memorium presentation.
What? Tomie lived that close, and now he's gone?
The realization felt strangely heartbreaking.
Here is a mapquest screen shot showing how really close
we are to where he lived and worked, in New London.
Of course, the "remembering" show included live recordings of
Tomie speaking and explaining, full of chuckles and grins
and color! It was instructive, and if you are
interested, you can follow this LINK to watch.
Feeling strangely bereft, I spent much of Monday evening
reading articles about his recent show openings near here
that celebrate his illustrations, thinking about how his books
has impacted me and my quilts, and learning more about him.
From a NH Homes Magazine article about 6 years ago, come
images of his studio and home. Wish my work space in Lehi
was as light and airy as this! And organized!
(To read that article, follow this LINK.)
Strega Nona (1985) was Tomie's first real success and launched
his career and made his life comfortable. Eventually, he wrote
more than 270 books. This illustration (below)
from Strega Nona shows his simple but inviting style.
Tomie knew from pre-school years that he wanted to draw
and paint and write children's books (and [tap] dance on stage).
His characters include flawed humans, but Tomie's outlook
is one of forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope.
A recent article from a New Yorker writer expresses
her views about how and why his books touch more than
one generation of readers, reaching young and older.
(Find that article by following this LINK.)
My own relationship with his work began like most have
as we (parent and children) discovered and fell in love
with Strega Nona. Before long, I found "The Quilt Story"
(co- author Tony Johntson), and it quickly came to mind as I
developed my "Patchwork Imaginings" quilt collection.
His folk style resonated with me, and I was hooked for life
once I saw his "Abigail" quilt shown full-page inside front cover
as the new quilt, and inside back cover as the aged quilt.
(This is the "new" quilt illustration.)
More than one quilter has paid tribute to Tomie
by recreating his quilt painting in fabric and thread.
This is an image of my version.
If you and I were chatting face to face,
I would want to know which dePaola books
were your favorites. Quite a few of them represent
legends or ethnic stories and fables. As the New Yorker writer
expressed it, his books were "moral, but not moralistic."
Here is another book that was
included in the "Imaginings" collection. (Wish I had
access to my quilts to also include them here.)
I love the feeling of blessing from departed loved ones.
Bright illustrations from this book caught my fancy
and immediately paired itself with a quilt design.
And there are dozens more I love or plan to read soon.
Finally, here are a couple more images harvested from
the published articles showing Tomie's lovely home.
The history of this property, the 200-year-old barn
that was renovated, the new studio additions, etc.
are chronicled in the NH Homes article. We will visit
the area sometime soon, I hope, since it is not too far off
the highway as we travel north to Sharon, VT.
Another view of the courtyard.
Not difficult to see how he could be inspired there.
Though it has been a week full of contemplation, sadness,
loss, and change, we also have been lifted by abundant
love from so many we care about. We feel the blessings
that accompany health-y news from family and friends,
and from remembering the promise of Easter.
Oil in our lamps continues to be filled to overflowing --
a little like Strega Nona's pasta pot.
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