Freedom of...

 When I went to McNally Robinson for the debut of my novel, in May of 2013,                                   The Orchard Walk El Dueck, had come off the presses in December of 2012. The reason I put 2013 as the year of publication is because the company I hired to print my novel said they couldn't guarantee that it would be ready for Christmas. So, I self- published my novel and all the myriad decisions that I had to make all hinged on 'when the printer could get my novel ready for me.'

    If you look up my Pinterest page 'Quilted Stories,' you will find some fabric examples that I used in the 'representational quilt' I made for that time. I purchased a 'Four Freedoms' fabric and incorporated it into this quilt and there are some more that I photographed during that time. The photo of the quilt I had 'in progress' is also featured under the heading 'Testing out a quilt pattern... The Orchard Walk quilt.' https://ca.pinterest.com/eldueck/quilted-stories/  Scroll over the light grey link to go to the page mentioned.

    Freedom of... all the good things we all celebrate and value was a very central theme of my novel. So, the 'four freedoms' fabric was one of the many fabrics I chose for this particular quilt... I have made so many more since this time. I currently have many finished and am always working on 'another one.' Some I've given away, some I save for the 'representational' value of linking my writing with my quilt making and pillow case making.

    People might say that 'freedom of speech' is most valuable. Well, the fact that a 'unknown' writer, such as myself, can produce a 'historical fiction novel' and self- publish it, following the rules of publishing within the 'district' that the laws encompass, is evidence of the fact that I do, indeed, live in a free country where free speech is still valued. One 'avenue' of free speech, these days, might be your cellphone. Can you use your cellphone to reach out to someone who might be able to help you? Since, possibly temporarily, moving almost four hours away from my home town of Winnipeg, I send a lot of text messages.

Some might say 'freedom of worship' is most valuable.

Some might say 'freedom from want' is most valuable. That wonderful depiction of a big turkey being brought to the table and a group of people all enjoying so much food is what can always be enjoyed in a country that values the freedom to live. Plenty of food is often the evidence of a society that has the freedom to work and produce. A time of war creates 'want,' it doesn't relieve 'want.' 

    'Freedom from fear'... oh, this is a very precious freedom, indeed. This may just be the most difficult freedom to uphold. This freedom cannot even be absolutely proven but there will be many signs if a person is living in fear.

    So, let's talk about what people fear and how we can ensure that we protect our children and grandchildren, let's say. I will relay a little of my own life story to apply this directly to myself and my children and grandchildren. 

    I have feared being harmed by other people... hit, assaulted in some way, abused in some way. I know my children have feared these things as well. One thing a abuser will often say to people they are manipulating is, "Don't you say...," in a threatening voice. I have defended a person was crying, holding broken glasses and nursing a face wound. I was big and pregnant at the time but there was nobody else around to help so I only had two choices, help or ignore what was happening right in the home I was in at that time. I don't really know what it is about people who help versus people who ignore but, I would suggest, that instinct will, in a moment of 'surprise attack' show who will do the right thing.