Kintsugi: “The art of precious scars”
Kin = Golden
Tsugi = Joinery
I was doubly blest recently not only to have attended the Marble Women’s Retreat, but also to have shared that powerful weekend with my mother. She happens to be a talented quilter with a vision for truth. At the retreat, I had an opportunity to share my story, and I wanted to mention Kintsugi as the process we undergo as we move into our authenticity as women of God. I couldn’t remember the name Kintsugi, but when I described the process to her, she knew it immediately and gave me its name just in time for me to speak.
The very afternoon we returned from the retreat, she presented the above quilt that she had recently made for me as a gift. It had been waiting for me the entire weekend. I hadn’t known anything about it, but the power of it had taken hold long before I even knew it existed.
On the back of the quilt, she included a pieced-together definition of kintsugi from various sources:
“Japanese philosophy which says that broken pieces carefully repaired with lacquer and gold render the breaks beautiful and strong. There should be no attempt to disguise the damage because the repaired piece is now more beautiful than the original.”
Her own words continue, speaking a truth that, I truly believe, is meant for each and every one of us:
“In the process of repairing things that have broken, we actually create something more unique, beautiful and resilient. You have repaired yourself in a deeply beautiful, prayerful and thoughtful way. You are stronger today than you have ever been. Your scars are truly beautiful and what you are today is a perfect example of ‘the art of precious scars.’”
Thank you, Mom.
Shared by Karla Hendrick
4 responses to “From the Cocoon”
Karla, thank you for not only sharing your story at the retreat, but because through it we were reminded of the strength that is within us through the power of the resurrected Christ. What a beautiful gift your mom has shared both through the gift of the quilt but also by her presence in your life. Blessings as we continue in our Lenten journey.
This is so appropriate for me today! I’m dealing with the loss of a program that I spent 35 years building; this moment brings my inadequacies front and center. But I have been reminded of the difference the work has made in many, many lives; this post says to me that the imperfections, the inadequacies are there, but so are the positives, so is the work. Perhaps the willingness to continue the work becomes the golden thread that is the beginning of the repair. Thank you, Carla.
Your words have such meaning for us all. The quilt and your thoughts portray so very much about sorrow, healing and recovery. All of these are part of our life journey but as we develop wisdom, we become better. What a precious gift you Mom gave you. And you have given others!
Thank you so much, Karla and Karla’s mom. This is so beautiful and such a good reminder that with God all of us are stronger and more beautiful with our scars. You and all the mighty women of Marble are in my prayers every day. May God bless and keep you all. 🙂