an empty shell...

sterile walls

plain windows

empty rooms...

our quilt shop

is gone

cleaned out

finished

at it's

very first location

it was a fluke really

opening that is

not something

i had ever planned

on doing

the timing just happened

to be perfect

as are the memories

if only

these walls

could talk

what would they say

likely they'd speak

of all the friends

we've made

the tears we've

shed

together

from both happiness

and sorrow

we've watched mommas

nurture pregnant bellies

we've welcomed

 babies

and watched them grow

we've held hands

with friends

receiving a life

altering diagnosis

we've helped many

a new sewer

select fabric for a first quilt

we've also

assisted the selection

of clothing to

go into a memory quilt

of a loved one

little boys, fathers, husbands

grandmothers and wives

we've cheered triumphantly

alongside families

as they embraced their

new sons and daughters

sharing that one

extra special chromosome

that welcomes them

to the world of 

down syndrome

i've learned

 much about myself too

my patience

 is better

my stamina

is greater

my knowledge

more expanded

my skills

more refined

my gratitude

is immense

my heart is

so very thankful

i thought

i would feel sadness

as i locked

the door

for the last time

yet what i feel is different

it is a sense 

of contentment

with excitement too

i'm curious

to see where we

go next on this journey

i know not

 the answer

for we are following a plan

not of our own doing

but of our creator

i've learned

a building is simply

an empty shell

it's what is inside

that matters