I have been making a memorial quilt for my sister-in-law Dolores Jackson. My intention is to donate it to the hospice where she spent her final days. The quilt pattern is Churn Dash. I chose it for its simplicity and beauty and because it lends itself to beautiful quilting.

I have not made a traditional quilt in many years. My quilt art work is improvisational. Although I am meticulous in my construction, I am not required to "match points." Matching points is an important skill in making traditional quilts. I was surprised and pleased at how well I did.

In a conversation with Matt and Bradie Sparrow I said that this quilt is "perfect enough." If you looked at the top you might notice that some of my points are slightly blunted. None are cut off. It hangs well. From four feet it looks great and from ten feet it looks fabulous.

Perfect enough suggests that my work is pretty darn good while good enough might suggest that it is somehow lacking. Of course there are times when good enough is all that is required. Unfortunately many of us think we need to aspire to perfection in all things.

It is easy to become obsessed with perfection. The fact is there are no perfect quilts or pots or paintings. There are also no perfect bodies, intellects or spirits. Yet we waste massive amounts of time and energy seeking the unobtainable and berating ourselves when we fall short of our unrealistic ideal.

There is a balance between doing our best work and accepting our flaws. I am not suggesting that we not try to do well. In fact, I would suggest that a good effort on any important project is essential. A careful evaluation is useful too. However, it is pointless to dwell on the less than perfect parts.

My friend Sam Uhlick recently pointed out that in Japanese pottery making it is the subtle flaw that makes a pot perfect. We would all do well to be more kind to ourselves. Our flaws while sometimes irritating to others also make us interesting. There is perfection in being and embracing our own unique selves.

I have found that it is pointless to try to hide my flaws from the people who care about me. Whenever I confess to some imperfection Gary always says, "I know." In those two words there is a level of acceptance and appreciation that warms my heart. Gary sees my flaws and he loves me. I see the flaws in my quilt top and I love it.

I will be delivering the quilt top to Matt Sparrow soon for quilting. He promises to add his own perfect enough heirloom quilting. I have no doubt that the final result will be stunning. And if there is a flaw or two no one will care. After all this really isn't about me (or Matt). It is about remembering my sister-in-law and saying thank you to an organization that respects and cares for people who are dying. What could be more perfect?