I received a special gift today that will remind me daily that I have a special angel reaching out to me. This angel reaching up to touch her mother's cheek is the most beautiful image. My Dad always told me I had a special Guardian Angel. Now, I know he was right. This gift also makes me remember just how many wonderful people are in my life. I am a lucky woman.
After spending too many days alone in my house, leaving only for Dr appointments and trips to the yarn store, I realized recently that it was really time to get back in the world. You can only sit alone for so long. However, nothing seemed to motivate me.
No one wants to listen to complaints about people's health, however my pain issues were really complicating my life. It frustrated me that I could not garden, like my friends, since even a ride on the riding mower left me with back pain for weeks. I could not redecorate, since the thought of a paint brush was enough to send me looking for pain relievers and nobody around here wants to paint.
Shopping wasn't much fun, since when you stay home you really don't need new clothes. I had a closet full of suits that hung there mocking me. I missed going to work, so I packed them up. The day I did that, I ended up with so much back pain that it took 3 weeks to let up.
I had to find a way to actually start LIVING again and it wasn't going to be anything physical.
I had stopped going to church for a while, preferring to sit in solitude, which was a big mistake. The day I returned it was like the sun began to peek out a bit. I really needed to be there. As I sat reading the church paper, I saw an article about a program called Restorative Justice.
A friend of ours was asking for help to collect yarn to be given to women in prison, so they could knit for charity. Hmmm......Yarn? Right up my alley! I made the call, volunteered to work on it and began to contact my knitting friends.
Last night I visited Threadbear and found HUGE garbage bags filled with yarn waiting for me! I began to receive emails asking for my address so people could ship their donations. I got a call from Yarn Garden, telling me there were MORE garbage bags waiting.
On Tuesday I will have the privilege of going with my friend to the prison to deliver the first batch. I will fill out the papers for my security clearance and be able to volunteer to teach and assist with this program. As I have explained when I appeal for yarn, I am not out to "coddle prisoners" as Arizona Sherriff Joe would say, but Jesus did have something to say about prisoners too.
I am excited about this. It feels good to be excited about something for a change. I believe in rehabilitation. I have to believe that these women in prison, who are now focusing on giving to others, instead of their own issues, are growing from this project. I know I am.
I may not be able to mow the lawn, but I am finding things I can do. That feels good.
