Can you believe it...this is Arizona...so much for heading south to find some warm weather. G, Enzo and I were having a bit of cabin fever and so we decided to take a drive and ended up stopping in Summerhaven, AZ. Everything looked so new...the homes, post office, restaurant.



And it wasn't until we visited the Community Center that we understood the healing power of quilts! In June of 2003, the Aspen Fire started on Mt. Lemmon burning over 84,000 acres and decimated the town of Summerhaven. 340 homes and businesses were burned.

But, what was the most amazing is that the quilters in town...(yes, we quilters are under every nook and cranny) had each family make a block which was created into three healing quilts. Some blocks depicted a photo of their former homes, some the feeling of the loss and hope. These three quilts hang in the community center as a tribute to a town that rose like a phoenix from the ashes.

 

 

In 2013 the quilters got together again and created a 10-year anniversary quilt. Pam, the Post Master, embroidered the new post office in her square! As we head down the road I am reminded of the power of quilting and those who quilt. Thank you for continuing to stitch!