April 16, 2007
Paying it forward...
Who would have thought, back in June of 2004, that this little blog that I started on a whim would ever become such a huge part of my life. I never thought that I would write 500 entries. That seemed like a crazy idea. But here I am, almost 3 years later, still going strong. Of course I've had the occasional ups and downs that happen with anything. The stops and the starts and the re-starts. But through it all, one thing has remained without change. My passion for knitting. I love the act of knitting. I love the texture and feel of yarn. I love finding the perfect yarn for the latest project that has caught my eye. I love watching someone that I teach to knit get excited and "catch the bug". I love watching the light go on with someone as you show them how to fix a mistake. Those "ah-ha" moments are the best!
**this is my Grandma Sue...and she is the best grandma in the world! She is soon to be 81 years old...and still going strong! Thanks for your un-ending support of me Grandma. I love you!**
Last Thursday was one of those great days. I spent the morning teaching 13 women at a local MOPS group how to knit. It was wild, let me tell you. When you get a group of young moms together in the same room there is going to be lots of chatter. Luckily, I had help, in the form of my mom, my Grandma Sue, my sister, and my friend Carmen. As much as I love the color and texture of knitting, I love the social aspect of knitting even more. That is what knitting has been for me...a way to meet people. My friends laugh at me because at any knitting group that I go to I hardly knit at all. But that's okay with me, I go to socialize and talk about knitting and be inspired and sure, to knit some. But that's not the most important thing to me. I want to connect with people. I don't care if I finish a project in a week, or in a year, as long as I've been in relationship with people along the way.
Let me say, once again, that I am overwhelmed with all the support that I receive from my fellow knitters and bloggers. Thank you all so much for your kind words and emails in the last week. (and months really) If you haven't received a reply from me yet, know that I have read each one of your comments/emails and taken them all to heart. If I'm ever feeling down, all I have to do is read one of your messages at random, and it helps. It just does.
Posted by Stacey at April 16, 2007 04:19 PMSo much fun! Three generations of knitters (where was Alice?) teaching mom's to knit! And we're not making FUN of you for not knitting at KNITTING GROUP (cough cough), we're amused.
Posted by: Cyn at April 16, 2007 07:00 PMso glad to see your post. I am worried about your dad ...and all your lovely family. I am an internist by profession and a crazed knitter in my spare time. ( internists are on the worrywart side...)
Your blog is awesome and I am thinking of doing one too. what a nice way to connect with other knitting humans!
Oh, Stacey~what a sweet submission today!! I would have to say that I completely enjoy the social aspect of knitting/crochet too. None of my closest friends are crafters. But I have met some incredible friends through knitting. Thanks for the great reminders, for your blogship (like a friendship, but within the blog world, I guess. I just made that up!). Best to your parents.
Posted by: julie at April 16, 2007 09:39 PMThose are great pictures!
Posted by: Melissa Ryan at April 17, 2007 05:27 AMWonderful post!
...and your are right. Why not just enjoying the process of knitting instead of aiming to complete a project in a certain time frame? Every knitter is different.
The social aspect of knitting is missing over here at my place at the moment (being the only knitter around), but I hopefully will find a few fellow knitters in my town too. Reading blogs like yours make me wanting to meet other knitters!
Bette
Posted by: Bette at April 17, 2007 06:20 AMThank you for making me smile today Stacey. You are so right on about knitting being more of a relationship with others than anything else....I so treasure each lady I knit with on a weekly basis and find such kinship even in fellow bloggers. Have a wonderful day sweet lady.
Posted by: Amanda at April 17, 2007 08:35 AMLooks like you guys had fun with that class. It looks like it was a hoot. Want a real shock? You've been blogging for over three years! Are you almost at 4? I just had my three year blogaversary and I know you started blogging before I did. Wow!!
Posted by: Michelle at April 17, 2007 09:14 AMThank you for helping out the MOPS group. I've been there, done that, and have the spit-up stained t-shirt to prove it. I wish we had had someone come to our group when I was involved several years ago. I know it could have made a difference for them, just as you, your family, and friends have for the group in your area. You are a blessing!
Posted by: Lisa at April 17, 2007 10:11 AMWhat a great thing to do! I read your blog all the time, though only for the past few months or so have I really kept up. I send you lots of love and a million apologies for never commenting. (I am an inveterate lurker!) Much love to you and your family -- and your afghans. :)
Posted by: Laura(keet) at April 17, 2007 10:39 AMStacey- i am a reader of your blog as well and i thank you for your wonderful gift of words and your enthusiasm with life. I am in KC Mo and know your grandmother as I went to Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church with her and you are so right - she is AMAZING AND AWESOME and we in KC, miss her terribly ! Love hearing about her and seeing photo's of her - she led a knitting group in church and she did you proud ! I also met you when you were in KC - i was one of the owners of Yarn Shop and more - I am no longer an owner but i loved meeting you and your sister and your brother - in -law and your mother when you were in town years ago. I too hold your father in my thoughts and prayers and in reading all your comments, hope you reflect upon how GOOD you are at connecting with people and how in doing so, you have brought a lot of love to your family members through all of your blog readers . Keep up all you do to spread the joy and peace that knitting brings to people - . Tell your grandmother Sue that Jo Ann sends her best wishes and loves keeping up with her per your blog !
Posted by: jo Ann Leach at April 17, 2007 11:49 AMThanks so much for teaching knitting at MOPS! We all had a great time and its always fun having you, mom and grandma around!
Posted by: Whit at April 17, 2007 03:08 PMWow you are such a gem! How wonderful of you and your family to put such an event together! I for one am really glad to have met you and I truly wish you all the best. Hang in there!
Oh by the way you were in my thoughts and prayers this morning. Its great that you treasure meeting and making new friends. All of us are there for you even if we are miles away:)
Posted by: Marisol at April 17, 2007 03:37 PMStacey,
I read your post last night and loved it! Then I was driving around today and you came to mind. I was just thinking about how talented you are and what a gentle and kind spirit you have. I am so glad that you are using your talents and gifts that God has given you to teach others and to introduce them to something new. You did that for me and I am forever greatful as I have taught my mom and we are getting to knit together here in KC. So - I loved the pix and miss you and your family so much but it made me smile to see how you are getting to enjoy life with them and with so many others that you have met through this crazy thing called "knitting"!
Love you!
That class looks like a lot of fun. And I love the picture of your family + Carmen ... you all have the best smiles.
Posted by: Ruth at April 18, 2007 05:55 AMAs usual, I enjoy reading your site. I always look forward to the pictures. I am sorry about your Dad having to have more chemo. Will keep him in my prayers. Spring has finally come to Ky. so besides being at my favorite yarn shop, I can sit on my back porch with my dog Vanilla and cat Maggie and enjoy the weather.
Posted by: Colleen at April 19, 2007 07:04 AMWhat a blessing to see you and all the women in your immediate family enjoying a great time at MOPS. I am sure you and yours blessed these women with a wonderful time of offering them your gifts and talents. I still continue to offer prayers and blessings to your family and especially your father.
It's nice to see you well and looking good.