Hooks and Haiti

Today is the one year mark of the earthquake that shook Haiti.  We waited for news of my 4 friends through out these next few days.  In the end, Ben went home to be with God and his wife and cousin returned to us.  My dear Sarah, after days of walking and traveling by boat also returned to the U.S.    In this last year of both the intense grief of death and the immense joy of birth I have come to a conclusion about the loss of Ben.  I was blessed to know Ben.  That is where my grief is.  I was blessed to know him.  

If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. Romans 14:8

So what does crocheting have to do with this?  It is my normal.  It is a spiritual connection for me.  It is not about finishing a project or making money.  It is about hooking yarn over and over until I am calm and silent, until I can listen to my heart and to God.

I don't remember what I crocheted on the way to Ben's memorial, but I know my friend, Suzi, and I both did.  I know my dear Sarah crocheted the night see finally returned home from Haiti.

I crocheted with my whole heart and prayed for a miracle for my grandma.  I sent a throw and wrapped her in my love and prayers in the only way I could from so many miles away.

In the end, crochet became my normal.  After the birth of my son and the death of my grandma I entered a depression.  One that I couldn't shake.  One that brought tears and heart break.  And then one day it happened.  I picked up the hook again.  I felt the normal return.  I don't know what I worked on but I know I did.  The hook sat beside my chair with a ball of yarn ready for me whenever I had time.  And I have found time.  I crochet not only to see the outcome but for the healing that it brings.

And so last night I decided I would crochet for someone else.  I am working on a throw and praying.  I am praying that who ever uses it will feel comfort, hope, and love.  My goal is that someone in hospice can use it and that their family knows someone out prayed for them.  My prayer is that God can use this throw to wrap someone in love.  I will wait to see who it is....