Making Good

We are dependent, deeply dependent upon the kindness of one another and the bonds between us. China Gilland, in The Bond Between Women: A Journey to Fierce Compassion

Throughout the winter, we have been receiving little bags of crocheted hats. They just seemed to appear out of nowhere, and people LOVED THEM. We run out of hats even more quickly than we run out of blankets here at the Green House. And as this winter seems to be dragging on - it was a windy 29 degrees this morning - these hat gifts are a sight for sore eyes. 

The mystery was solved a few days ago when John answered the door when the "hat woman" arrived bearing new gifts. Her husband has been recovering from serious back surgery - a ten hour procedure - and has been going through the long process of recovery. Thus, she has been sitting in numerous hospital and waiting rooms... waiting - and crocheting.  Coincidentally, earlier that day, I had given out the last of her gifts: a purple hat and matching scarf that I had set aside for someone I thought could really use it. At the cafe that woman appeared. Recovering from brain surgery and living in the woods, she had decided to head north by bus to be with family, and she asked if we had anything warm and pretty. She actually started crying when I gave her the purple hat and scarf. 

These gifts from the heart, they make a difference. During the past month or so I have been filling out applications for scholarships for Ben. Many of these are "cancer scholarships" offered by foundations, the majority attached to a name - the Sam Fund, the Friends of Scott Scholarship, the Verna Yip Award - names of kids who didn't survive. One in particular was so touching because it was so close to home - a scholarship in honor of a boy who dreamed of going to Notre Dame but who was unable to survive long enough to make it. Ben's brother was the recipient of such a scholarship - one given to students wanting to study in France in honor of the donor's daughter who had died in a car crash shortly before she was going to leave to study abroad. 

Stories like this put a catch in my throat. They recall the word "courage" which means literally to "have heart." I am amazed at and grateful to people who allow their tough experiences to open their hearts, to find the courage to make good, even when those hearts are breaking. 

Comments

[laiaconalas]

Oh Kelli, how beautiful! I just love reading your blog. I often come back to it at just the right time and there is always something that speaks softly to me.

[Suna]

Making hats is such a good idea. A fulfilling project that doesn't weigh you down mentally or physically. And you know they are appreciated.