I recently sent out a request for prayer shawls, lap robes, quilts, and or supplies to make more for our patients during treatment. I am excited to say that people are responding! This is an obvious need year around but in this dark, snowy,and dreary weather it gives us all something else to focus on. My shawl that I am making ( and I am not a creative genius by any means) is getting close to 50 inches long with 10 to go. Many have asked for patterns and there are many free ones on the internet for crochet, or knit or even sewing of quilts. I myself know that it takes all of my talents just to knit let alone count stitches and purl and add or decrease stitches. I was unaware that a plain knitting stitch was called a garnet stitch and , I in fact had a neighbor cast on so it would look rather uniform and I am sure I will seek her council when it comes to to cast off. Many groups, organizations, and individuals have been involved with this actual activity way before I came on the scene and it is a spiritual practice. You are praying for the person that will receive the treasured item and while you are praying you are asking for comfort and strength as well and that prayers will continue after the gift has been received. Obviously, when you are doing for others, your own reward is double fold and knowing that you have helped someone with the blessings of the shawl is the reward in and of itself. I have found that even the stitch can signify something in many different ways including if you knit three and purl three that the three reminds us of the holy trinity and many other wonderful references to help the patient receiving the shawl. Some other meanings of three are: Body, mind and spirit, or the 3 stitch seed pattern is symbolic of peace, healing, love ,comfort and hope . Colors also are a basic for a particular person, and some of the examples include, pink for compassion, sensitivity, nurturing, maroon for bravery and strength, red for love ,passion, warmth and respect, blue for healing, violet for spirituality, grean for healing, As I look and feel the touch of mine that remains on the back of my chair at work, I am reminded that yellow, is also for learning, optimism, intuition, faith, well-being, friendship and energizing. What a bundle of great things that I can physically wrap around me! This is a gift that is freely given and is passed from hand to heart. There is no price on a shawl as that defeats the purpose but donations of yarn for the next shawl are always welcome. Now I am sure you are thinking that this is just for women but men can use a lap robe or quilt and can appreciate the dedication and devotion and supportive element of the lap robe or quilt. Just watch any man as he gets in his recliner to watch a movie, sports, or even the weather (heaven forbid) a blanket is not far behind and especially on those Sunday afternoons on the couch. This outpouring of love is quite humbling and I appreciate the hours of love and support that it takes to complete this project. I hope that this continues so that I can reach out to more patientsin a way that they can touch and feel. I recently handed one to a patient here and explained the significance and her overwhelming tears of joy and comfort, melted me right there in front and with the patient. This is such a powerful and loving symbol of care and obviously connects us all. Thank you and I will be watching and waiting for each new day with the hopes that another has completed their project and wants us to share it with those that are here seeking treatment. You make it a great day! Sue
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AuthorMy name is Sue Kilburn and I am a clinical nurse breast cancer educator at the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Archives
March 2015
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