...."A promise of life-long service." In 1947 Queen Elizabeth II spoke those words to her people. And now King Charles III repeated the phrase. Difficult shoes to fill, no doubt, but likely sincere in his own way, on his own terms, in a world of chaos. Keeping the monarchy relevant will be a difficult task while attempting to modernize the thinking that often seems antiquated in these days, in this century.
A Rainbow over Buckingham Palace after the death of Queen Elizabeth II's death. 
Several years ago I discovered a television series that chronicled (now) King Charles's charity projects throughout the UK. I was pleasantly surprised at his engagement and honesty when talking to young students at one of his projects that literally reversed the downtrodden villages he owned. He also rescued an entire home full of its original Chippendale furniture that was going up for auction. He actually had security people stop the trucks that were hauling the furniture away. Now, this estate is a diamond in the UK and a special symphony written and produced for the opening of the gardens and workshops there. He has given this estate to the village to maintain and be paid for their service.
All that aside, I have been thinking about how we, as quilters, stitchers of all sorts, have given their time, their resources, and their talents to support multiple charities with quilts and blankets, scarves and hats for the needy, as well as little caps for babies shaken and in danger of their lives.
Through small and large quilting groups, shows and demonstrations, I have met amazing and talented people who create not just for themselves but for others as well. These ladies I know, have spent years dedicating their skills to help others, to guide small and large groups to learn the skills needed to do the same. On a very different plane, they are much like the royals who declare a promise of life-long service. To these friends, I say thank you, you have given me a sense of just how important this kind of service can be.
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