Free shipping on all domestic orders over $150
Free shipping on all domestic orders over $150
Add description, images, menus and links to your mega menu
A column with no settings can be used as a spacer
Link to your collections, sales and even external links
Add up to five columns
Add description, images, menus and links to your mega menu
A column with no settings can be used as a spacer
Link to your collections, sales and even external links
Add up to five columns
February 20, 2018 2 min read 17 Comments
Thank you to everyone for your support to me during this very difficult time. Thank you for understanding the missed newsletters and the postponed classes. And thank you for your cards, thoughts, prayers, and presence. As most of you know, my mom was admitted to the hospital on January 31st, and released to Hospice House February 9th where she entered into eternal life on February 12th. Although my mom lived with us for many years, and I obviously saw her for at least a few minutes every day, when she was in the hospital, she needed me there most of every day, as she and the doctors struggled with how to handle her multiple chronic conditions, and to hear and interpret what the doctors were saying but not telling her.
She was weak, but alert and very much wanted to talk. LIke many extroverts, talking was how she processed things. She talked about the past, about her time in New York, about her parents, and about my father and his passing 15 years ago. Which led to her talking about her own passing. All this, she needed to say, and she needed me to hear. And so, I sat, and listened, and knit.
Never before have I realized just what a gift those needles and yarn could be. To me, certainly, as the comfortable and familiar rhythm calmed and soothed, but to my mother as well. Had I sat in her room reading, or working on my laptop, or scrolling through my phone, I would have been there, yes, but I would not have been fully present. Knitting allowed me to be fully present with her, engaged in a thing, but available to her as she moved through rest and rouse, talk and worry.
We often find ourselves in situations that call for us to be fully present while the press of everyday life makes it a challenge to do so. If you can, keep your knitting close so you can give of yourself to those who need you, offering them the gift of your full presence.
I look forward to seeing you in the shop and around the table. You are always welcome here.
February 22, 2018
So sorry, Ellen. I will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers! Knitting is such a healing balm. Hugs.
February 21, 2018
Sending so much love Ellen! Thanks for sharing this… My own mom is aging fast and this is a precious, frustrating, unique time. I am learning to be still—and knitting is a huge help!
February 21, 2018
So sorry Ellen for your loss. I am sure your mom treasured every last moment in having u with her and knowing that you r a caring person daughter wife mother and business owner. I am sure she was proud of u as u were of her. My parents have been gone for some time now and distance kept me from being there at those last moments as it also did in losing my sister last year my only sibling. But now when I knit I think of them as my mom was a knitter and my sister a crafter. It brings back good memories sometimes with tears. U will adjust but will not forget that’s ok. Many prayers. Sandy from ohio
February 21, 2018
Ellen,
I am so sorry for your loss. I also spent the last days of my mother’s life with her. It was a blessing to spend that time with her, and hope you feel the same about the time you got to spend with your mom. Your knitting will be a special remembrance of that time. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
February 21, 2018
God Bless you. Thank you for sharing your very touching memories.
February 21, 2018
Ellen…so eloquently said.
February 21, 2018
Ellen,
I am very sorry for your loss. I’m glad that you were able to be there to comfort your mother in final days. I hope that time will also comfort you as time goes by.
Danette
February 21, 2018
My heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your mother. How wonderful that you could share her last moments and that she was awake enough for you to speak of things that matter. May your memories of her help you through this difficult time.
Marge
February 21, 2018
Thanks for sharing your last days with your Mom with us — and so beautifully shared. Your words give us a gentle reminder that this is a special life stage for many of us as we become the care givers, consolers, guardians of our parents. That’s a role none of us relishes, but the reality of life moving on. Taking the time, opening our hearts, finding patience is not always easy in our busy lives. I am thankful that you had those special last days with your Mom where you could be fully present and she felt your love. I am thankful for your words reminding me to cherish the time I have with my own Mom. And I am thankful that you taught me to knit. Your description is exactly why I started! Take care dear friend.
Susan
February 21, 2018
what a beautiful tribute to your mom—I obviously had no idea—and yet you continued on—good for you—it doesn’t matter how or when, it’s always hard to lose your mom—hugs and prayers sent your way—love—Ann
February 21, 2018
Ellen,
You wrote so beautifully of your mother’s illness and her passing, of the time you shared together, of her memories, and your roles as her cherished daughter and witness to her life.
My 91 year-old Father was hospitalized over Christmas and he’s now in a rehab facility. He will not be returning home. We are in the process of making difficult decisions.
It still amazes me when we find books or they find us when it’s a very good time to read them. I thought a lot about my Dad’s life and our family while reading “Ordinary Graces.” I remembered things to share with him as our family’s process includes reminding him of who he is, of his wonderful life, and of all the forms of love he’s known, so fully, so beautifully.
A resounding, “yes” to what you wrote about knitting — there can be healing in every stitch.
Kaite
February 21, 2018
Ellen
May each day ease the difficulty of your mother’s passing.
You reminded me of my own experience. As my mother was n her last days of life, I sat by her bedside and knitted. It gave me comfort.
Sincerely
Jo Ricks
February 21, 2018
Thank you for this post Ellen. I am grateful you were able to spend that time listening and being with your Mother and that knitting was a soothing source of comfort. I find my knitting serves the same function for me here at my parent’s home in California. My Dad is at home under hospice care with additional round the clock caregivers. Mom was exhausted and “at her wits end”-literally. My sister was worried about her mental stability at one point. They see me going about the house doing little chores or helping the caregivers and then sitting in Dad’s room with my knitting and they feel cared for. I wouldn’t- indeed couldn’t be anywhere else on the planet just now. Many precious moments are accompanied or underscored by my knitting- Dad often sees the clutter of it by the chair and remembers I am nearby while Mom sees me sitting with it and worries less that I am over doing it. It is a blessing and a gift isn’t it Ellen to be present in these times? I will treasure the garment I am knitting always as I do these moments that are stitched into its fabric. My sincerest sympathy for you Ellen in the loss of your mother, and also heart felt appreciation of what you have gained through caring for her and being present with her and for sharing your experience with us.
February 21, 2018
Ellen,
So sorry for your loss. Reading your news brought back memories of my Mum, who died unexpectedly while I was in the US. I shed a tear for both of us. Thinking of you lots
Bryony x
February 21, 2018
Ellen,
May God bless you with rich memories of your mom as you grieve. Thank you for sharing your heart with us.
Blessings,
Lisa
February 21, 2018
Ellen —
I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s death. It’s such a hard part of growing up to lose your mother, and I’m sure you feel like every nerve has been scraped raw.
I’m sending a big hug your way, and giving thanks for the blessings of knitting to help us through the hard times.
Helen
Dara Allen
February 22, 2018
Ellen, you so eloquently capture what we need to hear. It seems so obvious once you say it, but how many of us fail to notice the importance of being in the here and now, physically and mentally. My mind goes a mile a minute, and knitting helps me quiet the noise. I was not there when my mother died; I missed her by 45 minutes, a fact that haunts me still, 28 years later. I am relieved that you were present, in all sense of the word. Much love and deepest condolences from me and Fred.