What Becomes of the Broken-Armed?

Knamma is what my middle grandson calls me, when his tongue is too lazy for the "gr" sound...lol, and I am a knitting knamma! As you (and Taylor Swift) know, knitters gonna knit, knit, knit, knit, knit...and I've been knitting for the grandkids from the beginning. It started with sweaters for their little, baby bodies before it moved into toys, and these three monsters were one of the first toy adventures for the boys' house, in 2019:

Now that the boys have a dog, sometimes toys are caught in battle situations. While I am no Doc McStuffins, when I saw this poor guy's arm last week, my heart broke a little: 

So, as a knitting knamma does, I mustered the troops (actually a small collection of rubber duck nurses), and readied the operating arena and surgical tools...

You may not know this, but this type of prosthetic surgery is typically done with no anesthesia, so it was really no surprise that the patient wanted to try out that new arm before I was even finished with the procedure.

In the end, the hardest part of prosthetic surgery turned out to be matching skin tones. Just like flesh, yellow yarns come in many shades, and even though I got close(-ish?)...we will always be able to see where I mended that broken heart...errr, arm. (The "nurses" seem quite impressed with my work, yay!)

At least toys are easy to fix. I've come across three broken-heart situations in the last 6 months that I'd fix if I could, but there just isn't enough yarn in the world. Instead, I have prayed for the families of two young dads (Tony and Erik) and one young mom (Mandy), terminally ill and/or taken from their families far too soon. Their stories are not mine to tell, and I only knew one of them personally, but I have agonized through my prayers for friends at the pain these losses have brought.

I've also been reminded that this life is full of uncertainty and things that are out of my control. I am glad to know that there is One greater than me who is in control, and I have prayed that He will watch over these families, weaving his love through their broken hearts and surrounding them with the love of family and friends who point to an eternity of hope. 

If you have lost a loved one recently, or too soon, or ever...I pray that you would lean into faith, call on the name of Jesus, and trust that He is enough. The Bible tells me that He has prepared a place for me, and that there will be no more pain or tears in heaven. I lean on this when I have pain and tears on earth, and I remember that answering his call is something I must do daily...hourly even. 

And now, celebrating like it's the end of a major sporting event for those gone to heaven (some far too soon in my mind), I lift my John 3:16 sign and remind you that "God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." 

Physical life is fleeting, but spiritual life can be an eternity of joy. I hope you will reach for that joy in all things, especially if you are feeling broken-hearted today. 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

After finishing the Constitution, it is said that Benjamin Franklin wrote,  "...in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes," (in a letter to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, 1789). 

I'll add to Mr Franklin's sentiment "and change." Life is always changing, transition is less of a season and more of a constant, at least in my experience. 

This weekend, I am smack-dab in the center of a transition between jobs, and the changes loom large! The other thing that looms large for me is the recognition of all I leave behind as Pam-the-Church-Secretary at Avon United Methodist Church.

Yesterday was my last day, and the past couple of months have been bittersweet, to say the least. The photo above includes most of the tangible gifts, cards and letters from friends and co-workers at the church. I wish I could also show you a picture of the love and friendship expressed verbally, because those intangibles are just as valuable to me...but they don't photograph well! 

With words as my love language, and the way I process my feelings, some of the most precious things to me are the written words of friends. Words expressing that I am loved and valued; words of appreciation for my gifts, talents and work; words of thanks for my time and investment in the people of this congregation over these past 6 years and 9 months...these have brought me to tears several times in the last couple weeks. Thank you,  friends, for sharing your feelings with me in words, hugs and gifts. I'll miss our regular interactions.

This last photo (which includes many of the things that lived on my desk at the church) shows you where all those sentiments will live. I keep a file of positive notes, cards and letters in an old, blue gift bag, and yours will soon be there, too. 

Thankfully, this isn't the end. Our journey of friendship isn't over, but it will change. Perhaps our communication will move more toward the digital realms of social media, and our weekly and monthly interactions will probably be less frequent...but I will continue to treasure you, and you will remain in my heart.

You see, I try really hard to live the way I think Jesus would want me to, but sometimes I fail. In those moments, I reach into that bag of word gifts and pull out loving reminders that I am enough.  I pull out reassurances that I often get it right, even though I'm not perfect, and I see myself through your eyes in those good moments...which is a reflection of how God sees me all the time, because of Jesus. 

All of that to say,

Thank you, friends of AUMC, for loving me so well. I love you, too.

Thanks also for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

My 2025 Era

Another new year, another new snow

Looks like winter finally decided to show up! On cold, snowy days like this, I'm glad my hobby is a cozy one! I have plans for hats and mittens, but first, I'm knitting some whimsy! 

A dozen hearts to share with friends that I won't see as often in 2025, because I'm starting a new job a week from Monday. More details about that next week...for now, I'm sharing my heart with the friends I work with here...

and knitting housewarming gifts for friends in new homes...

and thinking about moving onto a little selfish knitting for the rest of this month. 

How have your first four days of the new year treated you? I hope that you are well and that this fresh, new year has been good to you so far. Drop a comment to let me know if you have any fun plans! 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

Hearts and Turtles

Because that's what Valentine's Day is all about, right? Hearts...

...and turtles!

Well, maybe it's not hearts and turtles, but these multi-colored baby turtle tummies look a little like flower petals, LOL!

Do you have any plans for Valentine's Day? What about the Big Game? I'll be knitting...errr, crocheting a Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce-inspired item using this yarn...

Because the Girlie who wears the Swiftie Socks is totally knitworthy! 

All the grandkids are knitworthy, but this one also has a phone, and she texts me photos of her handknits in action! 

I ❤️ this Girlie (and her sisters and her cousins and their parents) with all of the hearts and turtles! Maybe a flower or two, too. 

And I love that you've popped in today, so thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

Fall Frolic, cast on this month.

Happy Heart Here

See? Looks pretty happy, don'tcha think?

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Love Bunting

Due to my lack of recent, personal knitting and crochet, I bring you a brief tale from the Land of Odd...

When you play with yarn, you fall in love.

When you are in love with your craft, you find other yarn crafters...

...and they find other yarn crafters...

...and so on...

...and so on...

...and so on...

Eventually, you might even meet crafters with a fabric habit...

The two really are not that far removed, one from the other!

Textiles can really bring a group together...even if they are not geographically close. 

And when a bunch of crafty ladies, connected by the magic of Ravelry, find out that one of their own is in need of a little tangible love to help her through some rough stuff...well, then you get a Love Bunting!

And perhaps a Love Mobile as well!

We are an Odd little bunch, that's certain...but the love cannot be questioned. Right, Amy?

We love you, and we hope that all the hugs and hand-holds and prayers and good thoughts arrived safely with your happy hearts! Our hearts are with you, now and always!

A special THANK YOU to Julie for putting this all together and shipping it off (along with that beautiful shawl you made - gorgeousss)! Your kindness must be programmed right into your DNA, you diva, you!

Readers, is there someone in your world who could use a little love? Why not take just a few minutes this week to share a smile, a laugh, a word of encouragement, a moment of your time? Be careful, tho! You might be surprised how much love spills right back into your own lap! Love is funny that way...the only way to get more is to give some away!

Thanks for stopping by, and remember to Knit (and Love) in Good Health!