Early in my quilting career I made a quilt with four fabrics that were quite similar. In an afternoon I chopped and sewed, ending with a lap sized Star of Bethlehem. But it hardly looked like I had done anything. There was no contrast, only blurriness. Since then I have remembered to stagger different colors and values. 

Camouflage works well for a bird blending into the foliage but not for seeing the individual diamonds in a star. The disparity makes it possible to see more clearly. 

A woman I will call Julie was feeling mediocre about her marriage. Their routine had become predictable, and those qualities that first drew her to her husband blended into the background. Sure he was a good provider, helped with the kids, worked hard at his job. Yawn. 

Then her best friend's marriage exploded. Her husband revealed that he had been having an affair for two years, and wanted a divorce. 

Julie was shocked. She watched as her friend came unraveled, unable to take care of her kids, or to function. Julie stepped in to grab the corners of her friend's shattered life and tape it together. 

One night after an exhausting day of trying to comfort her friend, Julie slumped on the couch. Her husband walked in the front door, and apologized for being late. 

"So sorry I didn't call." He looked ready to be scolded. 

Instead Julie looked up at him as if he were a firefighter arriving at the scene of a blaze. She felt as if she were seeing him for the first time in years. 

"THANK you for coming home! I love you!" she wrapped her arms around the back of his neck. He was surprised. And nervous. But pleased. 

Julie burst into tears.

"I really am sorry," he stammered. "We could go out to eat..."

She put a finger to his lips and shushed him, then she kissed him for a long time.