Conversation With My Childhood Self

Here I am again a little "Cattywampus" *** by playing catch up on this weekly #Compassionblogger thing. Although I didn't sign up until the second week, the folks at Compassion International are quite liberal in their acceptance of submissions up until the deadline on the 30th. They are obviously known as Compassion for a number of reasons I am thinking.

So, since I'm somewhat of a ruminator I couldn't help but think about the assignment given for that first week that I missed. 

Write a blog post to your childhood self. What words of encouragement do you need to hear?

I grew up the eldest of six in mid-Wisconsin during those ugly Vietnam Nam era days. Things were getting less and less rigid in oh so many ways and I think the trickle down effect was in full force for me.  My mother had a motto of being a "Jack of all trades, Master of none" so she was fond of giving us a little taste of of everything. It made sense. Kids don't know what they want. And with six of them, a taste is all anyone could really afford back then.  So, I had two years of piano lessons, two years of ballet lessons, a year on the violin, two on the clarinet. I never quit anything. I was just told it was time to move on. Give someone else a chance on the family's clarinet. That sort of thing. 

Obviously, these are not the musings from a deprived childhood by any stretch of the imagination. We knew we were very fortunate to get the lessons we had - many of which were free through the school district. Certainly a different time and place. My recollection is that excellence never came into the equation in my formative years. I even remember the wonderful oboe teacher that took me on when I was in Jr. high who told me I could really be an amazing oboist if I just applied myself. I sort of scratched my head and wondered what it was that I wasn't doing to get where he thought I should go?  I ruminated about his comment for decades. 

What a contrast when I had my own children and we were navigating the multiple sports leagues, some extremely competitive!  The year round baseball practices. Talking about athletic scholarships soon after they grew out of T-ball!  Who are these people???  I'd met some driven people when I was in med school but holy cow!  I had never seen anyone as competitive and single minded as some of these parents on the side lines. 

But, part of me has always envied people with so much drive. I have long wished I had an abiding passion in my life. I often wonder if during my younger years when pursuing the things I found enjoyable had I  actually given it my all would I have found the thing that God put me here to do?  I remember really enjoying playing the instruments I had learned to play but was always terrified of performing in public mostly out of my own mediocrity. Would it have been different if I had put in the hours and applied myself the way Mr. Horning had said?  

I do know that it was not until my older son inspired me by his amazing work ethic in high school that I got a front row seat to what excellence means. Not only did he put in the hours of study, but he was just not satisfied until he mastered it all!  He had the drive and passion and exuded a palpable joy when he knew he had gotten ALL of it. It took nearly 40 years but I finally understood what my teacher meant all those years ago. 

So, a few years later when I went back for a masters degree I really applied myself. I not only knocked it out of the park grade-wise but I had the joy that comes from not only mastering something but knowing you've given it your all. Not settling for good enough. Not being a slacker. 

That's what I would go back and tell my childhood self. Try different things - yes. But when you find something you really like give it your all. Apply yourself. Go for the gold. Find your "A" game and above all else remember who you ultimately work for. There's the real reason for being excellent.

Colossians 3:23-24 (KJV) And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 

***and for those of you that have never resided in the south

catawampus Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.

— adjective

1. askew; awry.
2. positioned diagonally; cater-cornered.

— adverb

3. diagonally; obliquely: We took a shortcut and walkedcatawampus across the field.

Also, cattywampus. 

What a Shoe Means

Thanks to those of you that read my last submission on this blog for the Compassion International Bloggers month.  It is always gratifying when you not only learn that someone has read what you wrote but even more so when someone says they are touched by that writing.  

This week - well, actually last week's assignment was a creative writing assignment to use any of a few pictures they sent out for prompts. We were to imagine something about the person in the picture, their life, etc.. and write a story about it.  I've never fancied myself a creative writer.  Not terribly creative about much of anything. Oh, sure...this is a knitting blog to start with.  And yes!  I love to knit.  But ask me if I've ever dreamt up my own pattern, or dyed my own lovely shades of yarn or what have you.  I'll answer that with a resounding "no!"  I've bought pattern drafting software, taken classes, etc...  Nope.  Its not in me.  

I easily decided opt out of this one,. (lovely to not be a student anymore and have the luxury of saying "nyet!", hmm?). But, I just couldn't get the picture prompt of these shoes out of my head.

Just one look at these shoes on this little child fills my head with so many images!  It doesn't take a rich fantasy life to imagine the type of life this child must live.  No doubt these shoes probably belonged to several other family members and possibly a few other feet she never knew before they landed in her lap as a precious gift. Amazed that something so beat up could be considered precious?  Although in our homes these little shoes would have hit the trash bin long ago and be considered unusable without laces there's not a doubt in my mind that she clutched them to her chest in happiness when they were given to her. Perhaps she waited for weeks or months or even years to get a pair that came close to fitting so that she wouldn't have to walk barefoot.  These might possibly be the first shoes she's ever had! 

Walking barefoot in the third world.  This is not the thing of beach blanket movies and perpetual summertime. While in medical school we learned of many awful diseases that affect a person's body when they don't have the ability to protect their feet. Not only are they exposed to the trauma of walking on unpaved surfaces but there are often shards of glass, exposed metal as well as all manner of discarded stuff rotting in the elements, including human excrement.  I know, euwww!  

In addition to infection from trauma, other diseases of the foot may sound exotic but are absolutely life threatening.  From the huge sores of "Madura Foot" to the insidious disease of Hookworm, there are dangers lurking around every corner for the poor unshod person of the third world. *Warning*  The pictures at the above links are pretty graphic so beware!!  Not surprising to find multiple attempts by people to make shoes out of cardboard boxes, old tires and the ever versatile duct tape.  

Yes, these were plastic bottles!

Given the importance of shoes and the difficulty obtaining them, it's probably a safe bet that our pictured child may have felt she hit the jackpot to have what appear to be leather shoes that come close to fitting her!  What a new lease on life these shoes must mean!  Not only will she be able to play without hurting herself but she can now be of help to her family when it comes to carrying things and helping with meals. Most importantly, it may mean she can now go to school!  

We were surprised to learn that in many African countries the children are often not allowed in school if they do not have the proper school uniform!  How heartbreaking knowing that the path out of poverty is education and the roadblock to get there is not intelligence or even the tuition but what the child wears! 

I am always gratified by the wonderful pictures Compassion sends me of my adopted girls holding the presents they have purchased with the birthday and Christmas money I send.  I have seen my girls posing with goats and roofing materials and lovely shoes. 

These shoes and other purchases have taken on a different level of meaning for me since I've been to Africa. Likewise, the overflowing shoe closet I currently shuffle through has become even more of an embarrassment after learning of how closely these precious ones cherish the one pair of shoes they have.  Amazing how little they have - even more amazing the contrast between that and what we have!  

I urge you to consider sponsoring a waiting child at Compassion International and start having the heartwarming experience of knowing you've helped them live a better life. Thank you 

Compassionate Reflections On What It Means To "Knit"

I'm setting sail on a new direction in the blogosphere.  Just this past week I got an e-mail from one of the Christian Missions / Charities that we support - the amazing Compassion International.  They have a feature whereby they have others help promote Compassion by blogging.  They invite people with blogs to write about Compassion International.

During the month of September they challenge their bloggers to write every week and to nudge them along they give a few writing prompts along the way.  I have often been touched by the writing ministrations of several of these bloggers so when I got the e-mail this week I thought "I have a blog.  It's been sort of neglected. Why not?"

My more observant dear readers may note that we are nearly at the half way point of September so I'm in the "bringing up the rear" group. The bonus here is that there will be no week one submission from me.  You may see this as a bonus if things don't go well.

The week two prompt is:  "Write three things about one word"  

So, in the past few days I've had my thinking cap on regarding how best to transition my Knitting blog that has more recently become my Mercy Ships blog towards something more inclusive as I start blogging about Compassion International and not seem too terribly schizophrenic in the process.

So, I hit on the word KNIT .  Yes, once again my passion for knitting is the key to knit all of this together.  Let's see....

Early on in life I learned of the fabric called knit.  Knits are typically soft, flowing garments that hug every curve.  So being of the more zaftig persuasion when it comes to body type I assiduously avoided anything constructed of knits other than large, camouflaging sweaters and comfy socks to ward off the deep freeze of my Wisconsin home.  Knit as a fabric type had long been something to avoid until I got into my more advanced years.  As waistbands became more and more challenging the knit garment became more of a friend.  In fact, I've lately found a designer of knitwear that makes a lovely A-line dress that I always pack when travelling that has been dubbed my "Safety Dress".  Like a good friend this dress always fits, goes with everything and never wrinkles or looks bad.  We all need such a friend and a safety dress.  Knits as a fabric type has come full circle as my best friend now.

My current project

Knit is also one of my favorite verbs as one could surmise from my blog's title. From the time I first learned to knit in second grade I revelled in the ability to turn string into fabric.  I love the process of creating something of beauty from an item that barely resembles the finished product.  As I knit I can meditate on how other things are created and marvel at what goes into the making of something from nothing.

 As the Psalmist said:

Psalm 139:13-14

New International Version (NIV)

13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,    I know that full well.

Clearly, knit is also a verb.

Lately knitting has become cool - thanks to Julia Roberts and dubbed the "new yoga" for the rhythmic sense of peace one gains. For years I had a nightly routine of sitting down with my needles and yarn. Sadly, the demands of school, work and children had me setting my needles aside for decades.  By the time I'd retired from the military and the children started to move away I rediscovered the hobby that kept my hands busy and my mouth from snacking in front of the TV set. No doubt my ability to handle the stress of those days would have been enhanced had I continued with my meditative, creative hobby during the crazy years.

Finally, the word knit is used to signify combining from diverse sources or elements as well as to join closely or firmly as with members or parts.reference  Not only are we knit together as human beings in our mother's wombs from the nothingness of random DNA but we are knit together as humans into amazing communities that begin and end and have different purposes. The Lord not only knits our bodies together He knits our lives together in a beautiful tapestry that at times resembles a mess until years later you take a step away and gaze in awe.

Just as the community of knitters taking to the blogosphere enticed me to open up a sporadic blog when I was reintroduced to my long, lost love of knitting. The Christian Community introduced me to international missions via a long ago mint advertisement for a sea going medical mission that resonated as a use for my Navy medical training.

The Christian Community introduced me to the idea of sponsoring my first daughter in Africa over ten years ago.  The desire to see Rosemery - still unmet - planted the seed that going to Africa would be feasible.Years later, after leaving the Navy we went to Africa with Mercy Ships. More parts of my life coming full circle.

Not only do I knit nearly every night, God is knitting me - physically, spiritually and globally every day.

How is God knitting you?

Is he nudging you out of your comfort zone a little?  Perhaps He wants you to have a wider world view by getting to know a child in another country.  Compassion International was that jump start for me.  I urge you to visit their website @ Compassion International and see if one of these precious children touches you.