Friday, December 14, 2012

Pay It Forward

Most likely we all woke up this morning and tuned into the tragic, developing news unfolding as I write this, in Connecticut.  I planned to write this post today, but hesitated because it just didn't seem right to be typing away on my little blog while this horrible scenario unfolds.

But as I thought about it and needed to keep busy waiting for the inevitable horrific numbers, involving children, I thought what better sentiment to write about than "paying it forward".

Seems like our world could use a bit more of the Pay It Forward philosophy in showing gratitude, generosity of spirit and thinking of others.



I have a very good "bloggy" friend, Pat from Corn in My Coffeepot, . She and I exchange many emails in addition to commenting on each other's blogs as the days and weeks have become a couple of years now.

In January, I believe it was, Pat posted an idea of a "Pay It Forward" chain of people, with her blog as the conduit for the launch point after people signed up.  The idea was to pay it forward to another person in the blogosphere with a homemade gift of your choice with the only restriction being that it be done before the end of the year.

Fast forward to December. Procrastinators unite!!!  
Not Pat, but me.  But I did it. Mailed it this week and I sure hope Pat cracks a little smile when she sees my homemade attempt. (And I hope it survived the mailing experience).

I received my gift from Pat earlier in the month and was so excited when I saw her name and return address because I knew she had created something special.



I wasn't disappointed.  Pat is a gifted crochet-artiste and I've admired many of her items in her ETSY shop over time, even purchasing a sweet pumpkin garland for the autumn season.

Thank you Pat for my Pay It Forward gift:


A pretty Christmas themed garland with Christmas Trees and snowflakes.  It hangs on my hutch that contains many of my favorite treasures.


Pat also included these pretty, yet functional dish cloths - dare I use them for such? 



 It seems a shame to get them dirty, but Pat assures me they can be popped in the washing machine come out as good as new.




Please stop by Pat's blog Corn in My Coffepot when you have a chance.  She's a woman with a big heart, a huge amount of knowledge and skill and an ETSY shop full of homemade goodies and vintage items.

Words are not enough, 
but our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the events of today in Connecticut.

15 comments:

Razmataz said...

It's too much.No one should be able to have a hand gun or those type of rifles.

Chatty Crone said...

Oh my goodness that is my prayer too - for peace and comfort for the poor community of Newtown, Connecticut.

Decor To Adore said...

There is no better time to be reminded that there is still goodness in the world than when there is a tragedy of this magnitude.

My hearts go out to those grieving and I am so thankful for people like Pat.

Mr. Connor said...

Those that have fought and died for " peace " never wanted it to be school children who have died again for nothing. WE ~ AMERICA ~ need to stand up again and make it right !

Unknown said...

I's so sad about the tragedy of Connecticut. My prayer to confort the families, all those little angels are going to be watching after us.
I like your Christmas garland, it adds to the Spirit of the season.

Heather said...

The loss of those so young and innocent is indeed a tragedy and should never happen... your sentiments are lovely, and "paying it forward" is a beautiful way to spread goodness... Cheers!

Mullin Avenue Workshop said...

Thank you, Ann, for this post. Yes, I first heard of the shooting at noon, while at work. My co-workers and I felt so affected, as we work with young, vulnerable children. I can't imagine how it would be to live through this. My heart IS broken for the beautiful, lovely, children, and their parents, as well as the brave teachers.
I've been following the news since
My son, who you know is a teacher, chatted with me last night as well, he felt a sense of shock...we in Canada feel this deeply.
We have to ask ourselves how we can protect the vulnerable from individuals with personality disorders, which make them so unpredictable. I believe gun control would be part of the solution.
The Pay it Forward part of this post was a good idea.
Brenda

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

A tragedy for sure. My heart breaks for those who lost loved ones; my prayer is for them to have comfort and grace to get through this.

Glad you liked your garland...it looks festive on your shelf!

Pat

RURAL said...

My heart breaks for those effected in this tragedy...simply beyond words.

Jen

Unknown said...

What a great idea!! I would like to say I would do it this year but I'm going to be real, not happening. It would be fun next year and I would have a year to procastinate about it!!

Kit said...

Love the garland! Still trying to keep from thinking about the tragedy too much.It's hard as news comes out. But I will not watch those horrible sensational new shows.My prayers are with those families. Kit

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Love the garland and I'm with you on using those dish clothes. They are lovely.

It has been a very sad time for our country. My heart aches for the parents and families.

Hope your having a nice day.
Hugs,
Debby

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a sweet gift. I love the whole idea of 'pay it forward'...it makes so many happy!

Unknown said...

When I saw the dish cloths, my heat skipped a beat! My grandmother loved to read, knit and crochet. When she began to lose her vision, reading became impossible. Yet she could still knit and crochet. She would count the stitches in her head and could tell by the feel of the piece if her stitches were correct. Sometimes she would miss a stitch and she would wait for us to come by and look at it for her. I would pull out the stitches and she would start again! She spent hours making baby caps for the babies in the hospital and dish cloths for anyone that would take them! Your picture brought back those memories and how much I miss those dish cloths!

Unknown said...

When I saw the dish cloths, my heat skipped a beat! My grandmother loved to read, knit and crochet. When she began to lose her vision, reading became impossible. Yet she could still knit and crochet. She would count the stitches in her head and could tell by the feel of the piece if her stitches were correct. Sometimes she would miss a stitch and she would wait for us to come by and look at it for her. I would pull out the stitches and she would start again! She spent hours making baby caps for the babies in the hospital and dish cloths for anyone that would take them! Your picture brought back those memories and how much I miss those dish cloths!