Back in the early 70’s when I was then a naive college student at Silliman University, I became a huge fan of Carol King, an American singer, songwriter and pianist. She rose to fame with her album entitled “Tapestry.” Not only had she found success as a songwriter for various artists, but, with this album, she achieved considerable critical acclaim in her own right. In fact, Rolling Stone Magazine , a U.S.- based magazine devoted to music and pop culture has listed and ranked the album as one of the greatest albums of all time.
One of the featured songs in the said album was similarly entitled “Tapestry" that has a message about the grasp of life and its significance. The song lyrics that goes, "My life has been a tapestry of rich and royal hue, an everlasting vision of the ever-changing view” has struck me exceedingly.
What is a tapestry?
Dictionary defines it as a hand-woven fabric of plain weave which may use any kind and number of textiles and may come in a wide range of sizes and colors. Its design of weft threads is being threaded into the warp with fingers or a bobbin.
When one looks at the back side of a finished woven fabric, undeniably one will not appreciate the outward picture of tangles of thread – loose and left hanging, jumbled, frayed, occasionally knotted and seemingly random. It’s only when it’s turned over to the front side that one can see its artistic value: ornate and rich colors, texture, patterns that can make it a thing of bewildering charm.
At that particular instance, I came to the realization that my mundane encounters were compared to a tapestry – on which God precisely has woven into the fabric of my earthly life. All of a sudden, I saw the splendor of my life’s journey and recognized how much I have to be immensely grateful to God for the abounding, meaningful and blessed life He has given me. Certainly, my journey was never been that easy and stress-free. I had my share of challenges. I, too went through difficult, trying, and heartbreaking times. But God in His goodness, made me reached this far and showed me the way to confront and surmount adversities along the way. He endowed me with supportive family and friends who saw beyond my imperfections and helped me pulled through dark moments.
The ensuing entries posted here will lay bare part of my innermost being ... the side of my life's tapestry.
