Memorial Day

This morning I turned on the television to catch the weather forecast.  There were many stories about men and women in the military.  It is Memorial Day so there are a lot of people celebrating with picnics and BBQs.  At the same time there are families out there that are going through a the loss of a loved one recently killed in the war.  Others are remembering those that were lost years ago.  It is hard to be at a picnic in a backyard listening to music and having a great time with those that we are with and knowing the suffering that others are going through. 

There is always someone that will be celebrating while others are going through sorrow.  On any given day one family will be celebrating the birth of a baby while another is mourning the death of a loved one.  We could be miserable over the loss of a job while someone else is thrilled with a promotion.  As one person buys a new home another has lost theirs to foreclosure.  We are all at different stages of our lives.  When things are going well for us financially we help those less fortunate.  It is nice to know that if we are overwhelmed with the tasks we need to complete that we have friends and family we can turn to for help.

This is why the ministry is so important to me.  I have been on both the receiving and giving ends of charity.  At this point in my life I am in a position that I can do for others.  I can make a shawl to comfort someone.  I can crochet a hat for someone going through chemotherapy.  I can make a blanket for a homeless person.  What can you do today to touch the life of someone else?  Perhaps you can make a quilt for a baby or you can make a small piece of furniture for someone exiting a shelter and starting a new life.  Perhaps you can craft a handmade wooden button for the burial clothing for an infant.  Maybe today you can just help by reaching out to someone with a smile and a helping hand.  Whatever your ability is to help others today remember that it will make a difference.

Last night I began work on another shawl.  Our shawl supply is down to just 2 or 3.  Since we never know how many we will need at once I want to have a few more on hand.  I also have a batch of baby hats made up.  I have been taking a break from the chemo hats to work on these other items knowing that there are not needed as much this time of year.  With the warm weather however, the making a hat is a lot more comfortable then working on a warm blanket.  Whatever you may desire to make go right ahead.  If it is not needed today and can be placed aside until the need is here.  In the cold weather we can not make hats and other warm items fast enough.