Monday, August 8, 2011

A Crochet Tale

Yesterday was a long day.  My husband and I found my Mom unconscious when we went for our regular Sunday visit.  It took several minutes to revive her, which was very scary.  We called for emergency help and she was promptly taken to the hospital.  My Dad and I spent about 3 hours in the Emergency Room waiting area  before  they had an available room in the ER.  My Mother is being held for observation and some testing.  She has done this before, but never been out for this long.  As you have read before my Mother is failing, slowly, and this is so hard to watch.   I really thought she had had a massive stroke, thankfully that didn't happen.  She was back to her ornery self in the ER, wanting food and not being happy that she had to stay in the hospital over night.

So while I was in the waiting area I pulled out some yarn and rolled it into a ball.  I took out the only crochet hook I had in my bag and started to crochet another cowl.  Since the hook was a J size I couldn't double my yarn, so I just kept holding the chain up to my neck to measure.  My Dad was walking around, or pacing as he likes to do so the chair next to me was free.  After several minutes a lovely older man sat next to me.  He asked if I was crocheting or knitting, so I told him crocheting.  He asked which one I thought was easier and I told him that I really didn't know as they can both be easy or difficult depending on the project.  He told me his wife knits and just finished a baby sweater.  He has been married for 63 years, she finishes his thoughts and his sentences.  Isn't that lovely?  He was waiting to hear how his wife's brother was doing, they brought him in for severe back pain.  We chatted away, he has two boys, both married.  The oldest has adopted nine special needs children.  Amazing. We chatted until the room opened up for my Mom and we were allowed to go sit with her.

I love how knitting or crochet draws people to you.  I was calmer with the yarn in my hands and he was able to open up a conversation with me because we had a common ground to start on.  I think that when you have yarn in your hands people feel free to ask you about your project, or tell you they learned to knit or crochet when they were young.  I have had so many people tell me that their Grandmother used to knit or crochet, and they seem to have a good memory about it.  Others say they could never do it but when you demonstrate how easy it is you may have made them interested enough to eventually give it a try.  You are much more approachable because you are doing something that others are familiar with even if they have never held needles or a hook. 

I hope I made this lovely older man's time in the waiting room a little bit more tolerable.  I know he made mine better, to hear about his life was a gift he gave me.

16 comments:

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Meredith what a lovely story and so true. I hope your mom continues to feel better. This happened to my mom too and she/we found out that her blood pressure was sky high. So BP meds have been working well for her. Loved your story about the older man and how yarn and needles are a safe ground for people to approach. Happy he was there for you and you were there for him. xoRobin❤

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Meredith,
Oh my, it must have been scary finding your Mom like that..I do hope she is feeling better.
I will keep her in my thoughts..
I so agree with you, when ever I have been stitching rather it be knitting, crocheting or cross stitching someone has asked me about it and it starts the most lovely conversations.
I hope your week is sweet and you get some rest after all the stress with your Mom,
Hugs, Elizabeth

Teresa said...

I hope your mother gets better, Meredith. It's so sad and scary to see our beloved ones get older and frail...
There's something magical about yarn, I think. It brings peace and calm and is so comforting. I usually say I was born in the wrong century (or country, as most people here don't care much for needle crafts anymore) but I've always been happiest when I can get my hands on some yarn and needles! :)
Have a nice peaceful week and all good thoughts for your mom's recovery, my dear xxx

Petunia Pill said...

...goosebumps! You are sooooo profound, my dear...so very profound! I love the way your words give being to some of my feelings that have yet to be uncovered. Musical lyrics do that for me - and you do too! It is, indeed, so difficult to see our parents grow old and weaker. I lost my Mom eight years ago. She had a long period of going downhill and it was a terribly stressful time in our lives. Watching her discomfort helped me prepare to let her go as I didn't want her to suffer any longer. She was ornery...no she was ORNERY! OMG, she told off every nurse and every doctor and me and anyone else that touched her life. It's frustrating to lose one's independence after a lifetime of being the one in charge of every little detail for everybody else! Keep us posted, Meredith and give yourself an extra hug from me! Annette

Teresa Kasner said...

Dear Meredith, I'm so sorry you're going through this time with Mom. I can so relate as we have lived through the aging and eventual loss of all 4 of our parents over the last 8 years. It has been very sad.
((hugs)), Teresa

Annaboo's House said...

Big hugs to you at this very difficult time.
A lovely, heart-warming tale - that's one thing I love about knitting and crochet, it's portable. There's not many other crafts you can take around with you in your bag, are there?
Xx

Grateful4Crochet said...

I'm so sorry this happened. Will be thinking of you and your Mum, and hoping she recovers quickly!
I know exactly what you mean about how crochet and knitting opens up conversations- yesterday on my walk, a lady who lives down the end of my street stopped me and said she had seen my neighbour earlier in the week wearing the flower scarf I had crocheted her, and then we had a huge conversation about crochet, as she loves crochet too!!
Take care and look after yourself, as well as your Mum

xx

tina said...

I just love you! My theory exactly, we're here to be love and light to others and our needles absolutely do make us more approachable. I like to think it is my devastating beauty and ineffable charm but I'm probably wrong. ;) Now, most importantly I send hugs to you and your Mom, you're right it is a horrible time-- nothing else to say about it!! Take care of yourself and do something lovely for yourself while you help hold up the earth!

Rose Red said...

I'm sorry about your mum, that must have been very scary, but glad she seems to be doing ok. Hope the doctors can get sorted whatever it is that is causing her to black out.

Thankfully I haven't had too many visits to the ER, but I think I would go mad if I didn't have my knitting to occupy my hands.

Leah said...

What a beautifully written post! I hope your mum is feeling better. That must have given you such a fright. Take care hon. Enjoy your week!

Casey said...

I hope your mom is feeling okay, that would be terrifying to find her like that! and what a nice conversation you got to have with that man :)

Unknown said...

I just caught the story over with Claudia too. I'm right there with you and so know the feelings, emotions and sleepless nights this puts you through. We are all here for you two and know that all the feelings, thoughts and emotions you are having are OK and valid.

Hugs,
Kate

Rizzi said...

MEREDITH, WHAT A LOVELY STORY......THE MAN WHO SAT NEXT TO YOU WAS PROBABLY AN ANGEL, HE BROUGHT COMFORT TO YOU, AS YOU DID FOR HIM. YOU ARE SO CARING MY FRIEND. SO SORRY TO HERE ABOUT YOUR MOM, PRAYERS WILL BE SAID FOR HER. I HOPE HER RECOVERY IS SOON. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, YOU ARE SUCH A SWEETHEART. RIZZI

brsmaryland said...

Meredith, I hope your mom is doing better. I'm sure that was very scary finding her that way. Dealing with parents' decline is hard.
How nice that your crochet brought you together with someone you might not have otherwise noticed, let alone talk to. I love when things like that happen.
hugs,
Beth

Lena said...

Hi Meredith,

I was just telling Claudia that we've been having a hard time with my step-mom's failing health too, and that one of the things that seems to be helping all of us to focus some, are the little domestic things that we do. I've been crocheting some, and both my step-mom and my dad have been interested each day to see my project progress, and while we were at the hospital, I do found myself talking to nurses and others about needlework. I like the thought of such a thing bringing people together throughout the ages.

You take good care of yourself. Try to just love one another through this time. It's so hard, I know.

Lots of love to you and to your family,

Lena

Sara said...

Oh and thanks for your feedback on my spinning video. It is greatly appreciated! :)