Each post will begin with the corresponding letter of the alphabet beginning with A and finishing with the letter Z.
I began participating in this challenge in 2012. With the exception of last year, I believe I completed the challenge each year. Last year I lost steam somewhere around the letter W.
Yearly
I have mentioned in my previous posts that I host a YouTube podcast called Joey's Scarf. The main themes are knitting, crochet and yarn. The podcast name is in honor of my son Joe. Joe passed away from colon cancer in 2011.
I started the podcast in January of 2017. On an episode in February of that year I asked followers of my podcast to join me in knitting or crocheting something in honor of someone they lost. Or perhaps they would want to create an item for someone they care about.
Personally, when I am making something for a specific person, I am thinking about that person while I am knitting or crocheting.
I asked the participants to share what they were making, who they were making it for and why.I explained that on the anniversary of Joe's birth, April 4th, I would randomly select someone from the group and send that person a gift of appreciation.
Beside me there were six others who joined me. The stories from each one touched my heart. The items they made were beautiful.
One of the women had just lost her daughter to cancer. Even though we are thousands of miles apart, we made a connection and continue to keep in touch through social media.
That first year I decided to send each of the woman a little something to show my appreciation. Their participation was a comfort to me, especially at that time of the year, near Joe's birthday.
This has become an annual event. April 4, 2019 was the completion of the third one. Some of the same women have participated each year, as well as a couple of new people. I continue to appreciate the sometimes heartbreaking and but always heartfelt experiences that have been shared with me each time.
That is a sweet thing to have thought of and to have done and to make it be a yearly event. It doesn't take away the sting of losing Joe, but doing something that perhaps brings a moment or two of joy to someone else who immensely knows what you are experiencing, I'm sure is a bit of a comfort.
ReplyDeletebetty
Thank you. I feel that having others who have been through a similar experience share their feelings with each other help us all get through the bad times.
DeleteI'm so glad you are part of a group of courageous individuals knitting/crocheting in honor of those they lost. That is so lovely. We can't always have the people we love with us, but we can remember them.
ReplyDeleteWith Love,
Mandy
Thank you. I found it rewarding and comforting.
DeleteYou've found your own little community there. It's nice to have crafters work along side you.
ReplyDeleteIt's true there really is a community of knitters.
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