Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Tangie Thomas


I had to travel to the Franklin Pre-Release Center in Columbus to interview Tangie. There are so many parts of her story that are just sad. First, she's in prison because someone stubbed her son in the eye and into his frontal cortex. He was part of the Army Reserve and was waiting to be shipped out. The man who did it was not punished. Her son is not the same and lives in a nursing home. Tangie admits that when she ran into the man who was also threatening on of her daughters that she lost it.

The quilts title is "A Mother's Dream Shattered and Broken." She did not get to finish her quilt due to her transfer to Franklin. Michelle Owens did a small amount of quilting so it could get into Sacred Threads. I thought it was sweet that Michelle did not want to put too much of herself into the quilt. Tangie does have plans for more images for the quilt. It is also another two-sided quilt.

Tangie speaks so passionately about her son that it brought tears to my eyes. I didn't have the quilt with me but I felt it was important to have a photo of her included. She didn't smile the first time. The Franklin Pre-Release Center is not at all like the Ohio Reformatory for Women. It is very instituational feeling. I felt terrible that she had to be "patted down" after talking with me. So many things we take for granted.

Anyway, Tangie had help with her quilt. Her friend Jena did the painting for her and I hope you agree that she did an amazing job. The quilt will hang in her son's room at the nursing home. I hope it brings comfort.

7 comments:

  1. I feel like I want to respond to this, but do not know what to say. The emotion is overwhelming. Thank you for sharing this.

    Betty Warner

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  2. Her quilt is very powerful, even without her story. Thank you for sharing her story.

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  3. Miss Tangie is a very loving person. Her tribute to her son brought tears to my eyes. I hope she continues to express her feelings in fabric.

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  4. This quilt is extraordinary. Please give my best wishes to Tangie.

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  5. Tangie has truly expressed herself in her quilt. I hope she continues quilting and she finds the the creative outlet brings her solace.

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  6. i know her personally she is like a mom to me to and ced her son is like my brother and i feel a piece of me is gone without her or him around everyday(

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  7. Ray, I hope you read this. I tried to keep in touch with her. Hopefully you will be together soon! Hugs, Karen

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Love comments! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me.