Blind Pig readers have been sharing wisdom with me since I first started way back in 2008. They have educated me, inspired me, and gave me much to study on.
Earlier this year Mary W left the following comment:
“Learning from nature is profound but so easily overlooked. You are blessed to notice those small things and I’m blessed to have you writing and sharing what you learn. Thank you! My brother and his wife bought me a framed piece of OLD embroidery that I had admired while shopping with them. It will always hang somewhere in my home. Very faded and tattered, stained and VERY impactful – it has survived since 1861 as marked carefully in brown thread with childish stitches. She attached various bits of yellow fabric as petals for 4 sunflowers then stitched the words, “look to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you”. No name but it touches my heart every time I walk by.”
“Look to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you.” What a profound statement.
Overall I’m a very optimistic person. I’m always thinking things will turn out alright even when it looks like they might not. There’s many reasons for my optimism.
At the top of the list is my faith in God and the support of my family and friends.
Ever since Mary shared the story of the old embroidery I’ve had that line running round in my head. I’ve wondered about the girl who stitched it. Studied on what might have been going on in her life that she was led to put those encouraging words of hope in thread so that she might be reminded of them. I’ve also studied on the people like Mary who’ve gained strength and solace from the piece made so long ago. And now here I am writing about the handmade piece I’ve never even seen and sharing my thoughts with you.
It’s powerful to think of a girl making an embroidery piece well over a hundred years ago, never knowing that it would continue to inspire others after she was long since gone.
Perhaps a few of you will take the words “look to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you” to heart and begin studying on them like I have for the last few months.
Last night’s video: Fishing for Chickens and Other Food Stories from a Son of the Smoky Mountains.
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Beautiful post she wrote. Thank you for sharing!
Wow, “look to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you” That’s quite profound and worth contemplating. Thank you, Tipper!
gosh! that truly made me cry and it’s so very true!
thank you for sharing!
Another great, uplifting post! Thank you, Tipper!
The interview with Jim Casada last night was great. Seems Jim and I are about the same age. While I didn’t grow up Bryson City, my connection with that place is through my Pa who was born in 1894 in the Needmore Community of Swain County, as I’ve said before. That’s him in my avatar from near a hundred years ago.
I look forward to more interviews with Jim. I’m sure there are many aspects of his life that would make great videos, like where he taught and when, for starters.
Blessings to all . . .
Oh me oh my: this is truly a gift today. My mother’s family used to say that only instead it was “Look to the Son and the shadows will fall behind you.” Tipper thank you for eliciting that fond memory!
This speaks to my heart and in a very timely way. Add in the shared name Mary and it just burrows deeply into my souls thank you.
What a powerful, moving statement. I also have been through my share of grief, loss and heartache but I always look to “SON.” It seems that the more we go through, the stronger we become if we put our trust in him. There is something very special about this blog and the people that comment. I am very blessed to have found the BPA. Thank you, Tipper and God bless everyone on here. Ya’ll mean a lot to me.
I was going to comment on this as well, and Im glad I am not alone in thinking of the Son. I was going to ask if it was “sun or Son”, thinking there might be a mixup.
Beautiful words….will cherish this always and hope to make a cross sitch piece (to leave behind) so others will Look to the sun, the shadows will fall behind you! Amen! Many tks to you Tipper always enjoy your posts always learning from you! Be Well.
Such great words to live by… and god knows we need daily encouragement. I will keep this one milling in my mind for months I’m sure.❤️
I AM WORKING ON LOG CABIN QUILTED WALL HANGINGS, GOING TO HAVE THE CENTER SQUARE ON THE LONG CENTER PIECE EMBRODERIED WITH THESE WORDS. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP IN MAKING THESE CROSS WALL HANGINGS VERY SPECIAL. WILL SEND YOU ONE WHEN I GET IT FINISHED. PLEASE SEND ME YOUR ADDRESS VIA EMAIL .
My brother and his wife shared BPAA and got me started reading as they always bless me in ways they can’t imagine. We all have the power to do it and I see your commenters as an extension of your writings and learn so much from them. They are my virtual friends and I’m blessed with this blog which also serves up an answer to the question posed by Ron Stephens.
Oops, I forgot to say I loved your interview with Jim Casada. My Grandmothers and my Mother were fantastic cooks!!! Like Jim stated about his Mama, I’ve enjoyed the best fried chicken at my Grandmothers and Mother’s table. I must say too, my Mother fried up the best squirrels I’ve ever eaten. She made biscuits and milk gravy to go with it. I’m not that good of cook, but what I inherited was I absolutely loved cooking those special meals on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas for my family. The food and the getting together with family just can’t be beat.
I guess I need to read the other comments before repeating what others have already expressed! I’ll never learn!
Look to the Son and the shadows will fall behind you!
Amen Ed, that is a profound way to look at that statement. I like it. You know the Civil war was going on at the time this girl did this embroidered work. Maybe she was silently praying that loved ones would be safe, that her home would escape the ravages of war. Maybe she encouraged herself and others that although things looked dark right at the moment, if she looked toward the sun (“son”) the shadows would fall behind her.. in other words look at the bright side, God is with us and will never forsake us. Look to Him.
Ray Potts words in his comment really spoke loudly to me. I have been there so many times lately it seems, not just with the cancer in my tear duct ten years ago now, or covid three times in the last two and half years and all it’s aftermath, but just the ups and downs of life in general – and we all know those mountains and valleys we travel daily. “Look to the sun (SON) and the shadows will fall behind you”. I loved your post and the truths you wrote down. Imagine all the things you say, write down, and even do in your own life – you will impact someone on a daily basis. It is rather daunting to wonder which of all you do will leave a lasting impression for future generations. Holiday traditions you start, blessing someone with a gift or word of encouragement, an item that you make — everything in your life really does ultimately affect others around you, which in turn affects people around them, and on down through the generations. Maybe if we give that a serious thought and study, we will be more careful with careless words or actions. And we will be more conscientious and gracious with the precious seconds we are given for living.
Donna. : )
I love sunshine and sometimes think it sure brightens my day and energizes me. Your friend’s statement is a wise one!
Wonderful words of wisdom that resonate with me right now. Thank you for letting us in on what was shared with you.
Isn’t that something. It goes to show that even the smallest act can ripple outward and make a big difference, far and wide.
Such powerful words for a young lady to write just before one of the saddest events in our nation’s history. I often ponder the lives of those who have lived out their lives, perhaps on the same ground we walk each day. She yet had to face a bloody war ahead, but she had the right mindset to bravely face an unknown future. Maybe that was a common saying for that day long lost to history except for that aged piece of embroidery.
I can get lost for a time searching out the lives of family past and knowing their stories. I am always and forever grateful for the rich history and all the other gems you bring us each day. So pleased to watch the video with Mr. Jim Casada. He is destined, as you are, to be recognized far into the future as one of the greatest contributors to keeping the history of Appalachia alive.
Thank you Pinnacle Creek – I’ve never tied those two dates together but gained a new appreciation for my little piece of history. The shared knowledge from Tipper’s commenters never fails to surprise and delight me.
Amen Mr. Potts.
I’m glad to know Tipper that while you are giving a lot you are also receiving a lot.
It makes me glad to know there are lots of folks out there that would be friends if we met actually instead of virtually. Your commenters show that we are everywhere, just waiting to be discovered – home folks.
I have a question that I ask people sometimes. “In your life, which do you think has been the more important; God’s making of you or His using you in the making of others?” Your BP&A is like that I think; a circle of giving and receiving.
Another reason to keep reading Tipper’s posts is the wonderful on-line friends that I meet. Your question is extremely valid and impactful! It’s a long living blessing that will guide me a lifetime!
Beautiful and encouraging words! I agree with Ray Potts – the. SON will take care of you. Thank you Tipper for my sunshine with you every morning. You are a blessing. Take care and God bless ❣️
We all face darkness in our livrs, how simple the solution; Look to the Sun.
Thank You Miss Tipper for sharing this post this morning. It was right on time and just what I needed to hear/read today. Such a powerful phrase made long ago yet still touching and inspiring folks like us today just like THE BIBLE & THE SON !! GOD BLESS YOU ALL
I think all of the regular readers know that I am struggling with depression and the other things that go along with it. In the last 10 year either in mine or my wife’s family we have had 12 members to die. I was very close to all of them. The hardest have been my daughter (10 years ago yesterday) and my wife’s death. I am depending on my faith in God and my dear friends to help me get through this darkness. Personally I am going to change this lady’s words of wisdom to read “look to the Son and the shadows will fall behind you”. Even though I have never met any of you, I consider you to be friends. I apologize to Tipper and you for some of my comments for I know at times they show how I am hurting.
Randy-no need to apologize!! We are all praying for you and I’m glad you share what you’re going through with us 🙂
Randy, You do not need to apologize. We all go through tough times and need to express our feelings. I believe the folks who comment on here understand and lift you up in prayer as they are that kind of genuine God loving people. So sorry for all you have had to experience, praying for you my friend in Jesus.
Randy, I still see this daily and ALWAYS read it as SON and wish to think the little girl must have felt the same way. You, my friend, always shed a little light when I read your comments, also! I consider it a blessing to read Tipper and her followers!
I love the old hymns and some Southern gospel. I hope your church still sings hymns, which have the God-given power comfort, to teach theology, and also how to read music. Randy, sing a hymn, read the Word, and keep the faith. “We will understand it better by and by . . .”
Gene my church still sings the old time hymns. Your words bring two hymns to mind one being Father Along. I love Elvis Pressley’s recoding and I can’t think of the title for the other one, but I know those words are in it. I promised one of my lifetime best friends that sits on pew in front of me I would never sing out loud in church again. The last time I did, she thought I was in pain and having some kind of an attack. She was getting ready to dial 911.
I googled it and that is the title of the hymn, We Will Understand It Better By And By. It has been a long time since I heard that one but I am going to remedy that real soon.
Randy, you are in my thoughts and prayers and as the others have said, no apologize necessary. You are exactly where you need to be during such trying times in your life-In the Light of the Son. We love the Son, but our love for Him is not a drop in the bucket compared to the love of the Son toward us.
God Bless and keep you.
Sanford
Tipper, usually I have aplenty to say about not much. However, today after reading your blog, there’s not a single thing I can add. “I will look toward the sun and let the shadows fall behind me.” Those words are alive and still at work from 1861 into 2022. That’s solid words to live by right there! When I was very young, I was a cross stitching maniac. Now, I cannot see too well to do it. It strains my eyes. But I do recall feeling proud of my handwork. My favorite gift to give was to embroider the new baby’s name, his height and weight and birthday in a frame for the new parents. Maybe there are a few floating around still, maybe not. I believe we are living in a time of exercising faith over fear and having to trust in the Lord in ALL THINGS.
My mind read, “Look to the SON, and the shadows will fall behind you. “. Amen!
Wow, this statement really touched me. I started thinking about this statement, and as a Christian I thought of Jesus the “SON”. I thought of the dark shadows I have faced in my life, like when my wife died, and when I was diagnosed with Cancer and many more troublesome times. I just had to look to “The Son”. Some day I will walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and I will be looking to “The SON” and fear no evil. Psalms 23: 4. God bless You for the times your writing has brought cheer.
Wow! What an awesome and touching comment Mr. Ray! I will be praying for you that THE SON will continue strengthen you my brother. Your great faith that you shared in this comment has touched me!! Thank You!!
I was writing my comment while yours was being posted. if your read mine, you will see that mine and your thoughts were on the same page this morning.
Ray, I love your comment. I need to look to the Son daily – in dark times and good times. I don’t know how people who don’t know Him get through the dark shadows. Thankful that you and many others on here know Him.
thank you SO much for this wisdom to start my morning and for this blog.
Wow! I loved that story and the positive words. As someone who loves the outdoors, all things plant-related and marvels at the miracles that the sun makes possible in our lives, those words really resonate with me on many levels! Thanks so much for sharing!
What a beautiful statement from someone in the past. Her words certainly bolstered my spirits this morning. We likely will never know in this lifetime what influence our lives and words have on others. That should make us all the more mindful of them. Thank you for sharing that wonderful story with us today.
Wow. Such words of wisdom and to live by. Those are words that could be put to mind and over the test of time, look at the impact on many of your readers. I will now have to take those words and put them to my Counted-Cross Stitch fabric to leave to my Grands along with the quilts I am making for them. We should always have something to leave them that they too can carry on and give to those that they leave behind. I look forward to words and ideas that you give to us daily. Thank you and God Bless.