What we create, we leave behind

When he was 14, Zach Sobiech was diagnosed with osteosarcoma — bone cancer.

You might be familiar with his name because Zach turned to music. He wrote ‘Clouds’ in response to his illness and it went viral on Youtube. Music was his way to say goodbye and leave something behind.

Zach passed away on May 20th. He had just turned 18.

But his music is still there, left for his family and friends (and us) to listen to.

In my interview with Sue Bulmer I talked about the creative rut that helped inspire Crafting Fingers. I looked back on 2012 and realised I hadn’t created anything. What did I have to show for an entire year of life other than the dead-end daily routines that I had been going through?

There’s magic in remembering someone by what they’ve created. How many of us have a blanket or a table that was made by a grandparent? Even a handwritten letter has the same magic. I didn’t get to know my great-grandparents, but I’ve been able to feel closer to them by admiring their hand-embroidered linens and letters.

Leaving a legacy doesn’t have to be on the scale of founding a multi-billion dollar corporation or painting the Sistine Chapel. A song, a knitted sweater, a recipe, or a lovingly handmade stool will keep our memory alive, too.

What we create, we leave behind.

Rest peacefully, Zach.

xo,