Walk Within You

This pendant has a sweet story. January 2008, I had the honor of meeting Ralph and Idie at the Jewish Center for Aged. I volunteer there and visit with a dear 94-year old woman named Adeline. One visit, I met Ralph and Idie who were sitting in the hallway. Idie was dying of ovarian cancer and was in hospice care. After this short visit with her, I decided to come see her as often as possible. Her husband, Ralph, was at her side constantly…so I was able to get to know them well after just a couple of months. Just before she died, Ralph shared a poem with me. The name of it was "Walk Within You." Idie gave it to Ralph to read at the memorial service. It's a beautiful poem. This couple loved one another well. We had a small but beautiful window of time ministering to one another…and I will always remember sweet Ida Mae "Idie". I asked Ralph if we could continue to be friends…so now we visit and keep in touch. Thoughts of them never fail to make me smile!

In the pendant I cut out a portion of a photo of one of the quilts on exhibit at the St. Louis Art Museum…Idie loved art and collected it. On top I cut the title out of the last three words of the poem, "Walk Within You" and pasted them on top of the artwork. On the reverse side of the pendant, I layered some paper (one being a strand of hearts…representing how Ralph and Idie's love will go on forever). Then I cut her name from the Thank You card I received from Ralph (for attending the memorial) and pasted it to the other pieces. I used leather to create a key ring charm, so he could keep a memory of her near at all times.