In the Beginning

Work on this Project began three years ago on this day, but the reason for it began sixty-four years ago...for it was on this day in 1952 that my late husband, Howard, was born.  His diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes, sometime seven years later, changed his life, his family's life, and the life of all who would come to know and love him in the future.

The MOB Project was a way I was able to work through some of the impact of his life -- and his illness and death -- on my own life, but that impact is not erased by the Project's creation.  I still witness that impact in my own life, and in the lives of my children, and I have no doubt it will be felt for generations to come.

There is more than one way to leave a legacy, and T1D's mark on the 'bodies' it touches is part of that.

The debut exhibit at the Lacombe Memorial Centre was taken down November 16, but the work goes on.  Two MOB II squares have arrived in the days since, and will eventually be finished so they can hang with the rest.  There are more squares "out there" which I hope will find their way to me in the coming months...And there are a couple of opportunities for showing the work in the new year that I hope to pursue.

The book that accompanies the Project remains for sale online at Blurb.com, and there's a few dozen copies sitting in a box in my back room for anyone who'd like to purchase one directly from the author.  Signed, of course! ;-)  There are a few more dollars from book sales to send to JDRF and CDA later this week.  In all, just over $425 CAD has been raised, divided between the two organizations: one for research (JDRF) and one for education (CDA).

Posts from here on in will be few and far between, but I've decided to keep this blog going for the foreseeable future, posting any news as it comes along.

Thank you, Gentle Readers, for your love, support and encouragement over the past three years.  You have no idea how important you've been, enabling me to see this Project through.  Together I'm sure we've played our part in the important work being done to understand, treat, prevent and cure T1D...and, perhaps, to have an impact on Type 2 as well.  Bless you all!

This Project is dedicated
to the memory
of
Howard Martin Blank
November 29, 1952 - August 9, 2006
Always in my heart.

August 9 - 2016: Anniversary

Once again, it is time.

The last stitch mark on the piece, MOB I, was made this morning...the journey that began in November 2013 is concluded.

Abdomen 

Left Hand

Left Shoulder

Left thigh

Right Hand

Right Shoulder

Right Thigh

Working now towards assembling this piece for hanging, I will be shadow quilting a bit around the exterior of the body shape, trimming the piece and bordering it with navy panels so it can be seen more easily -- and from both sides.

I have one stump sock left to knit for MOB III; the other eight are in place thanks to help from Ann, Bev, Lia, Sharon and Shalaya.

I continue to collect squares for those who are "making their marks" for MOB II.  As mentioned in earlier posts, this is the ongoing portion of this entire project, and kits are available for any who wish to participate.  Simply contact me by e-mail, and I will send you one!

I remain ever grateful for those who follow this wee blog and who've expressed their support and encouragement over the past 32 months...and continue to do so.  Next posts here will be more of process, leading up to the debut of this installation in October.  I hope you'll continue the journey with me; stay tuned!

My Silent Partners...

And today remembering the man who inspired all this -- on the forty-first anniversary of our marriage, and the tenth anniversary of his death...

Me and my Howard
Engagement Photo
Summer, 1975

Numbers

254

The number of days between the start of this project

and today.

11,323

The number of days between this

August 9, 1975

and this

.

August 9, 2006

T1D:

marks on the body

marks on a memory

marks on a life