All I’ve been able to do the last few weeks is run around like a chicken without a head (that is a really awful analogy but very accurate at the moment). I actually had a mini meltdown yesterday, stressing about all the things I have to do, shop for, wrap, sew, knit, email, ship, make, bake, deliver, and so on and so on…
But then 2 things happened that gave me pause, a moment to reflect and smile. As adults (for many of us anyway) Christmas is all about the “work”. There is very little of the joy except when we look into our children’s, or any child’s face and see the pure joy, the magic and the wonder.
Yesterday (after the meltdown) I went to my mailbox and found a large box stuffed, in a manner very un-befitting of the USPS. At first I didn’t recognize the sender but then I opened the box and gasped (seriously I did, like a classic scene from a movie). This was inside…

With a note from a woman, I’ve never met except online. She purchased yarn from me a few months ago and we’ve chatted a bit via email. She recently experienced a great loss and emailed me a few questions/requests which I helped her with. It didn’t seem like much to me but in her note she said he meant very much to her. This beautiful, chocolate-y, butter soft shawl is her thank you. I honestly had tears in my eyes.

Just look at that…

BEADS…she knit in beads…that is no easy task. Cat, your skill is breath-taking!!!

Sometimes a very simple act, almost to the point of seeming like nothing to you, can mean all the difference to someone.
Then today I got an email with the subject, You Okay?. A friend, who I’ve unfortunately shared way to little time with, send a message to check in? To find out if all the blog silence around here was due to the holiday craziness or something else.
It’s not about the gifts, the tree, the cookies, the parties. It’s about the love between family and friends. It’s about showing how truly grateful we are for each other, about remembering a person’s sadness and trying to brighten their day or just ask how they are. That only can make all the difference.
I’m thought of and cared about and now feel restored!!!
With all my heart…
Thank you Cat
Thank you Sarah