Christmas After You Left, 38 x 45 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2010. For sale at http://www.ovbrant.etsy.com.

I could never have too many Christmas quilts. I try to add to my collection each year. Christmas After You Left is my latest Christmas quilt. It is made from luscious red and green batiks which give it a darker hue than the normal, happy Christmas quilt. It made me remember how it felt the first Christmas after my Mom was no longer here to make Christmas magic.

Sometimes it is hard to “do” Christmas after a loved one is no longer here. I say that is when it is most important. Anyone who loved you would want you to continue to live.