Shared Tears Over Prized Possessions

On another note, I visited with an elderly woman today who got such joy telling me how much she loved sewing.  She started to tear up.  When I asked her what was wrong she said "do they let you bring your sewing machine to the nursing home?"  Oh my goodness, I sat down at her bedside and we shared tears together for a lifelong love of sewing and I could only imagine what it would be like to have to face this phase in life.  Not only to have to give up her independence, which she understood was time, but to have to also give up her deep love of creating through needle and thread was too much to bare. 

I understood at the deepest resources of my soul as I've been sewing 43 years; nothing compared to her nearly 80 years of the craft.  Imagine how that would tear at you and more importantly this question showed how deeply sewing was a part of who she was...a lifeline of sorts.  And although I love knitting as much, imagine not being allowed to move your beloved yarn through your fingers and onto the needles, creating an original garment for yourself or a loved one.  Our love of craft is a component of who we are, so very deep that we must not take it for granted.

So whether you are a knitter, quilter, seamstress, cross stitcher or whatever medium you choose to create with, enjoy every minute not just the completed project.  As one day, we may all be faced with not being able to take our most prized possessions with us and how terrible a life that would be.

Of course, in the end, I reassured her that yes you can take your sewing machine to the nursing home.  An immediate calm came over her small, wrinkled, tear streaked face and for that brief moment, our souls connected and I felt that, indeed, I made a small difference in someone's life.  That connection is what life is all about and I hope I can continue telling old ladies that yes, you can take it with you.

Exciting and Terrifying at the same time!

I heard from Veronica, the Columbine Elementary School principal today about my upcoming knitting class as part of their Masters Series program.  There are 25 kids signed up, apparently THE most signed up for any one class in all of the 3rd grade!  W O W!  Imagine that.  Girls AND boys.  It starts next Friday and I'm both thrilled and a bit scared to death.  Yikes,  will they pay attention?  Will they like me?  Will I like them?  Will it be fun..for both of us.  Well, soon I'll find out and will keep you posted. 

I did have the foresight to get the yarn and needles ahead of time, early next week, to cast on for the little darlings as the classes are only about 45 min long and I didn't want them to spend the whole time learning to cast on.  This way we can get right to it.   From what I understand, there are teachers and moms also interested.  This is gonna be so cool, really.

Nikki, do check in with me if you're able to sub on the 16th as I take my grandson to Disney World.  A story for another post upon my return.  What I'll say about that now is that I've planned this for his 5th birthday since before he was born ... boy 5 years goes by fast and I for one am very excited to begin a new tradition of Dawson and Mimi's annual adventures. 

So, will keep you posted as The Happiness Knitting Project goes to elementary school.  Wish me luck.

Where's Kitty?

I was on a roll this weekend, actually thought I'd get my Knit Swirl jacket done - at least the knitting part.  The weaving in of ends, sewing, will probably take another year.  It was snowing all day Sunday and felt like I was living in a snow globe.  Knitting away, my little companion was very cozy and became lost in the voluminous layers that is my Knit Swirl project.  All this before my casting off somehow ended up uneven in number and I put the damned thing aside, yet again.  If I didn't have so much time and money invested, I'd chuck the whole thing.  Oh Nikki...help!

This is it!

Yep, that's all there is.  An interesting way to bring mindfulness to every moment.  I know for myself, when moments are especially fabulous, I can go down the path of wanting to hold onto it because I know it won't last; spending a lot of energy wishing it would.  Instead of just being in the moment.  And of course, when moments aren't so swell, we tend to think they'll last forever.  As we all know, each moment passes for better or worse.   Some last longer than others, some are joyous, others not so  much.  Jon Kabat-Zinn coined the phrase "this is it" in his book "Wherever You Go, There You Are."  A wonderful read to help bring mindfulness into our everyday lives.  So as the holiday season gets underway, take a moment to breathe, find stillness and say "this is it!"

Knitting and Yoga

I've been asked to bring The Happiness Knitting Project into the yoga studio.  After Wednesday evening yoga, I'll be teaching my fellow yogi's how to knit.  Two of my favorite things combined.  How swell is that.  Everyone will be so relaxed after yoga, it will make for a very laid back class.  Nancy will even show us some good stretches to keep our wrists limber. 

I continue to be amazed at the places knitting will go.  Keeping myself open to the synchronicity of life and I'm always surprised.  Who'da thunk these two would go so well together but they're both perfect ways to reduce stress and much more fun when done with a group.  I've even heard it said

The Yarn Whisperer

I pulled this book down off the shelf for a second read.  It's written in vignettes of the author's knitting life and is a quick read.  Although I am enjoying it the second go around, I wouldn't say it's laugh out loud as the book jacket mentions.  I would say there's more sadness and how she uses knitting to get through those times. Nothing wrong with that however.  I'd recommend it as a quick, light read.

Courier Article

Here's the article I mentioned last week.  It turned out well and am excited to begin this project.  Please feel free to pass it along to anyone with breast cancer who'd like to learn knitting for mindful relaxation.  I'm hoping the group will be very successful and people will not only learn to knit, but to form friendships and provide support to one another during difficult times.

http://pikespeakcourier.net/stories/Diamond-initiates-knitting-group,171790?