A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush
A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush
February 2002
20 X 30 inches
My entry for the Proverbial Challenge. Machine pieced, appliqued, and
quilted; hand beaded.
So often I have lusted after impossible things. It always seemed that the
prize I wanted was just out of reach and glittered brightly like a jewel. I
would lunge after it and cry in frustration as it flew away. My mother
always warned me "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," but I would
never listen. I was busy chasing my dreams, and hardly stopped to look at
what I had. Each success only bred more unhappiness as I yearned for the
unattainable. Despite a good career, a wonderful home, a loving marriage,
wonderful children, I still looked for that unreachable something. Then I
was struck with a chronic unrelenting illness, which focused my attention on
the things I still had left, after losing my health, my career and nearly my
life.
I suppose I had not stopped to pay attention to the blessings I really did
have, and to focus on the joys that are within my reach. Luckily for me, I
came to my senses. My cat reminds me daily of the pleasures of enjoying what
I have at hand, and the futility of chasing those glittery birds in the bushes.
But a girl can still dream.
Quilt design Copyright © 2002, Jeri Riggs