I dialed the phone, not sure what to expect. 1 ring.. 2 rings then a click and pick up. I'd never heard the voice behind the smile before. I wondered what to expect. Labels: community, helping, knitting, loopy groupies, ravelry, the loopy ewe
A sweet but sad voice answered the phone. The voice dissolved into tears... we talked. I heard both her heart and the scary details of her situation..... I felt overwhelmed. This was a bigger problem than I could fix. I listened. We talked through potential solutions.. we prayed together... and then hung up.
What on earth can I do to help? The need was way bigger than what I had to offer in help. What I have to share wouldn't make a dent. I couldn't even wrap my arms around this person and hug her. She is too far away. I took some time to think and pray... I knit. I sat. I wandered around the house wondering how I would feel if it was me.... I felt overwhelmed with the size of the problem...I felt powerless to help.
I remembered the words of Mother Theresa.."There are no great things, only small things done with great love" That is how Mother Theresa faced the overwhelming poverty and need that surrounded her... one person at a time... one small, loving act, at a time, and trusting that it made a difference. It did... and still is. Her ministry of love is known all over the world.... I thought about the knititng in my hands.. and how each small stich adds itself to the garment...and creates something useful. (one stitch--- not so much:)
" Would small things done with love make a difference here? now? for this friend? " I just kept wondering. I thought some more... I prayed. and then I decided to ask her permission to help... and to enlist the help of others. Together we offered up bits and pieces.. ideas... words.. yarn (you knew yarn would be involved at some point) books, thoughts prayers....all the little bits started forming themselves into a plan... and then the plan launched.
The plan was to hold a small fundraiser- simple paypal donations made directly to a family in need of their rent money. Each donation would have the chance to win a prize donated with great love. Nervous.. we waited.... (maybe a bit nervously) Then... the donations started pouring in. Ravelry knitters- especially Loopy Ewe Yarn Shop group members- are giving small things with great love. Sacrifices...small and large ... each whatever they can do... and together making a difference.
The world is full of bad news. Fraud, inflation, economic messes. Watching the news is overwhelming- I try to avoid it, mostly... because I feel at a loss to be able to change it. I know, I can't. Not alone.. I don't have the time, the money or the resources to change the world... or do I? Maybe changing the world means doing small things with great love...maybe changing the world means doing what you can when you can, where you can... maybe it all adds up.
It sure is adding up for one family. As of this moment- we've raised enough to keep them in their apartment. Now- we're working on making sure they have groceries. People are looking to see if jobs can be found.. they are checking their contact lists to see if they know anyone local to help....they are making a difference. Not just for this family... but for the generations that come after this one.. and for themselves.. because they know they are making a difference.
Why share this? Because--- there is hope. There is hope that we can make a difference... hope that God can provide...hope that things can get better--- if we each do small things with great love.
For Ravelry members... you can click here to see what we're up to... and maybe even help make a difference.:)
If you'd really love to help-but are not a rav member... you can look in my sidebar for my e-mail address to contact me and I can share with you how you can make a difference.
I know--- I know.. how do you know this isn't yet another internet hoax.... more people manipulating for profit? I'd say you can take my word... but why? The truth is -- there is always risk involved in helping.. always risk of backlash of fraud.... personally? I refuse to let that stop me from helping... Because if we STOP helping.. stop trying... we all lose.
Most readers know that I am a Christian... someone who desires to follow God. Not just in my words.. but in my actions. My convictions affect my choices. Here is the example I have to follow... and I may be walking with a limp and wandering around... on ocassion... and struggling to even find the path... but I am. One small step at a time.
The good samaritan
Labels: community, knitting, parenting, random domesticity
We were in our "fence free" yard. I was knitting away, DH was doing the "commentary" for my youngests' individual soccer tournament. (Interestingly enough, he always wins when he plays with invisible opponents- however it's usually a close game ... he's all about the sports drama. ) Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed 3 varied sized potential soccer players, hovering at the invisible line that divides our yards.
"Hey- go ask if they want to play" I called to the soccer meister. 3 "real" players joined him almost immediately. My youngest introduced himself- and they returned in kind. However- my little guy kept asking their names. They were not names he was familiar with. Finally, he shrugged his shoulders and just went with it. An epic game of "make up the rules as you go" soccer soon unfolded. A chair and a soccer net were the goals. Dandelion clumps marked the sidelines. Much cheering and laughing rang out. 
After awhile, the soccer game dissolved, and all of the kiddos were watching me knit. I have a few ideas why watching my knitting was more interesting than the playscape or soccer net. Magic, rhythm and color are kid magnets for sure! But, even I, was surprised by what happened next. "I always wanted to learn to do that! Can you teach me?" Said the doe-eyed female soccer player who had held her own playing against 2 boys.
"Sure can" I went inside to search out needles and yarn that would work for a quick project. In a few minutes, she had caught the basic stitch. She quickly declared she'd "Teach everyone at school." Then she started planning her next projects..."How long will it take to finish? I want to finish this today!" Her excitement was contagious, and soon her older brother wanted in on the fun.
I came back from inside with another set of yarn and needles. He was quick to catch on as well. We all chatted and knit until their mom's voice called from next door. "Time to go!" They were next door visiting Grandma. I told them they could keep the knit supplies, and to keep practicing. It was getting chilly and nearly dark- so my youngets and I went int too.
After a few minutes- I heard happy chatter out back. The staccato of foreign language filled the yard. I went out to find my neighbor- (who speaks little english- I'd assumed) Happily helping her grandkids knit away. The gentleman soccer player was telling Grandma she wasn't do it the way I'd showed him. I went over- and found that yes- actually she was. I learned to knit "middle eastern... eastern uncrossed" or "combination or continental" style. My lovely, Lebanese neighbor knit the same way. Funny- continents-religion and language barriers instantly seemed to melt away.
We've always done the "suburban smile" greeting and said "Hi". However, that has been the extent of our conversation. (If that even counts as conversation) But this day- I heard about a sweater knit for her husband and her enjoyment of knitting with her grandkids. I met her daughter-in law- and found myself sounding like an older female version of my youngest, as I asked and repeated her name several times, before I finally got it right. In the 7 years or so that we've been neighbors, this was the most conversation we've had.
I'm excited about the potential knit- pal I've found. And about the kiddos who'll be coming back to visit, knit and play soccer with my little guy. This week- instead of knitting in my house- or knitting in the backyard- I think I'll move to the porch and see if anyone want to join me;) Amazing, what finding a common interest can do for your neighborhood;)
