Time, Quilts & Stories

Dina assembled a quilt from bits of fabric left over from contract work done by her two tailors. After a year of working together the three of them contemplated the almost finished quilt. They told stories associated with each piece – what was going on when they were stitching clothes from that fabric. They came to the uncompleted corner of the quilt and discussed how that corner was going to look. Its appearance would depend on the next order they received and resulting leftover fabric. 

Ishvar said “..you must be patient. Before you can name that corner, our future must become past.” … 

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“How can time be long or short? Time is without length or breadth. The question is, what happened during its passing. And what happened is, our lives have been joined together.“   

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“His sentences poured out like perfect seams, holding the garment of his story together without calling attention to the stitches. ….  reminded her of her languishing patchwork quilt. Mr. Valmik had his own fragments to fashion his oral quilt, which he was now reciting for her benefit."

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 V - "One day you must tell me your full and complete story, unabridged and unexpurgated. You must. … It’s very important.” M – “Why is it important?” V – “Mr. Valmik’s eyes grew wide. “You don’t know? It’s extremely important because it helps to remind yourself of who you are. Then you can go forward, without fear of losing yourself in this ever-changing world.”

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All quotes from "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry.  JHT comments - I sort through family photos and keepsakes and encourage people to record and share stories. These are all "patches" that make up our family quilt - oral and material. These pieces of ourselves help us know who we are and who came before us. Our quilt remains incomplete - until our future becomes our past and more patches can then be added. 

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