Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Friendship (04/04/05)
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TITLE: The Tapestry | Previous Challenge Entry
By Suzanne R
04/09/05 -
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The tapestry is unique, but is only half done. The top half has yet to be completed. This, you see, is MY tapestry – the tapestry of life. The rich background is composed of relationships with many people, but it is the friendships that stand out, creating a work of beauty. Indeed, my tapestry is more varied and unique than many, as God has given me a diverse network of friends from around the world. Australian, American, British, Canadian, Chinese, Dutch, German, Thai – all are represented in my tapestry.
Can tapestries contain odours? You can almost smell certain fragrances emanating from my tapestry. Catch a whiff of the good old Aussie barbeque shared with friends. Inhale the scent of exceptional American coffee. The smell of Chinese dumplings is quite distinctive with those herbs and oh, the fragrance of heaven – Thai cuisine!
The colours and textures of the tapestry represent some of the qualities of those friends whom I appreciate and which I somehow complement. There are the strong golden, very nosy but genuinely caring Chinese friendships, my friends quick to point out changes in appearance and general demeanour (in love, of course). The American friendships are those feathered red yarns with strong centres, characterizing ‘to the point’ interactions buffeted amongst ‘warm fuzzies’. The Thai friendship is that vibrant orange silk strand, pulsating with life and passion. The green strips of fabric are the Canadian friendships – gentle, firm and generous. The regal purple threads are those friendships with people of my own culture. They are strong and beautiful, and there are several which intertwine their way from the bottom of the tapestry through the whole piece. Some people like their tapestries to have a degree of uniformity, the dominant threads all of similar colours and textures, matching beautifully. As for me, I love the rich variety of many very different textures and colours.
What creates that bond between friends? What makes some yarns stand out in the tapestry? The designer of the tapestry is clearly behind it, and as life has progressed, His hand has been very obvious. Real interaction between the yarns and the backing makes a difference too. It is the significant experiences in life gone through together that create something beautiful. Sharing tears and laughter somehow makes those yarns luminate yet further.
Although the designer creates this masterpiece, I have a degree of responsibility too. Significant investments of time, energy and ‘other-person-centredness’ are required. Relationships must be a priority in my life, despite the pressing demands of tasks to be completed each day. Prayer to the master craftsman on behalf of those friends is important. The responsibility is mine, yet the master gives the resources required at the right times.
Not only am I a canvas, but I am a thread appearing at different stages in the tapestries of many others around the world. What type of yarn am I? Fluffy? Strong? Vibrant? Gentle? Knobbly? Silky? Purple? Variegated? It is a privilege to be a spool of thread in the hands of the great designer.
As I gaze at ‘my’ beautiful and slightly fragrant tapestry, I am confident and excitedly anticipate all that will form the second half of the work. Will other colours emerge in strength from the background of the masterpiece? Will new threads altogether be introduced? Which of those strands currently proclaiming their beauty will remain dominant throughout the completed work?
The responsibility for what my tapestry looks like is mine to a degree – and yet in many ways, it is not. My confidence and joy comes from being a living canvas in the hands of the Master Craftsman. What a privilege it is to be a work in progress, created under the watchful eye of the Great Designer.
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I was hypnotized by your writing from the title to the end. Marvelous!
I love this article. The tapestry was a wonderful way to illustrate the way we relate to each other and the impressions we leave on the lives of others.
Great work! :)