I’m sure many of you have worked on projects for charitable organizations. When you sew or crochet or knit, eventually it seems to come up since you end up with more projects than friends and family to gift them to. I’ve made scarves, afghans, preemie hats and NICU scent-holding pieces to send off into the unknown to offer comfort for people in need.
I haven’t wanted to write about it because this summer has been filled with too many hospital visits, but I’ve been spending the past few days at the hospital as my father-in-law is not doing well. Then something happened on Tuesday that brought crafting into the picture in a powerful way.
When i walked into his room, this afghan was there. From the way it was folded, I thought it might be something my sister-in-law brought from home, but I unfolded it and saw the tag. Someone had made it and donated it to Project Linus and it had been distributed to him.
It might not seem like much, but this small act meant so much to me. It was like a crocheter I did not know was reaching out and giving me a hug, or a shoulder to lean on. My father-in-law is always hot. he kicks the blankets off his feet, but my sister-in-law is one of those tiny people who is always cold, so she used it across her legs today as we sat by his bedside. I was crocheting some squares of my own, but also spent time thinking about what my next “giving back” project should be.
If you have ever made anything and donated it, this post is to tell you that it really does mean something. It is a true comfort to the person or people who receive it. I have always been on the giving end of the cycle, but today, being on the getting end really meant so much to me.
alookatthelittlethings 
I am sorry to hear of your Father In laws decline in health, Thank you for sharing this Heartfelt experience.
It was odd being on the other end of things, but it gave me a whole new way of thinking about the items that get made and donated.
That’s amazing. I found a scarf at my Grandfather’s house while I was visiting him while he was dying from cancer. It had been given to him through his local VFW Post. I thought that it was really neat because I donate hats and scarves to Operation Gratitude which in turn donates them to veterans and those who are serving currently. It was a truly touching experience that I will never forget.
I can imagine other daughters and granddaughters coming across a scarf you have made when visiting their relative. 🙂 We really are all connected in this world.
Prayers for your family.
How wonderful to be able to see things from the other side! The quilt guild I’m in does lots of charity projects–I wonder how many of them have had you’re experience, of being on the receiving end, too. It certainly gives a new perspective!
It was an odd perspective, but one that will stay with me as I continue to make and donate items in the future.
[…] have made a few things for charity over the years, and even recently seen what it is like being the recipient of a hand-made afghan when my father-in-law received one. I […]