The Quilt Maker's Journey

Post Six of series  “It is not enough to be compassionate, you must act.”14th Dalai Lama

Although told as a fantasy, the Quilt Maker's Journey by Jeff Brumbeau and  Gail de Marken is a story of harsh realities. The Quilt Makers family creates for her a “safe bubble,” protected from any influences beyond their immediate community. If the needs of the community are met within this “bubble” then why venture out? The Quilt Maker resented this protected life, her curiosity, sense of emptiness and lack of emotional stimulation gave her the courage to venture out and discover life beyond her privileged background. Leaving the community on her own and encountering a simpler and what she first noted as “helplessness” to her surroundings, she naturally came to the realization that people outside of the “bubble” had a lot to offer her, and she too found a unique way to give a bit of herself to others.

Many would identify the message of this story to be of a young girl realizing that all people, no matter their background can learn from one another, support one another, build relationships and live a fulfilled life. The Quilt Makers courage and compassion to serve those in need is certainly commendable.

But let’s reflect a bit upon these boundaries we create in society. Is a safe environment one that isolates children from a world beyond their own privilege?  Is it the fear of differences among adults that leads to creating borders and boundaries or “safe bubbles” for children? What can we do as colleagues, parents, teachers, to provide opportunities for students to learn from the many perspectives that surround our school and home communities?  Just recently I was told of a graduate from the school where I work who ventured off to college and was astonished by the poverty surroundings her college campus; this person was never exposed to poverty prior to freshman year of college: what does this tell us about the conversations and experiences this student lacked prior to entering adulthood and independence?

My quest as we enter into conversations around compassion is that we look beyond the “feel good” simple messages that are addressed in our book selections, toward deeper conversations that explore issues of social justice.