Laughter and Tears
Apr 29th, 2009 by jae
So the snow is gone, but not necessarily the cold weather. This month has seen incredibly warm days followed by extremely cold the next. The temperature isn’t the only thing around here that is swinging between extremes.
This month I was published for the first time in the summer edition of Love of Knitting! It was thrilling to see my name in print. I am so glad that Amy helped me get started. I brought a copy to the store for show and tell. Imagine my surprise when Joan already knew about it. A mutual friend had seen the magazine in a book store, leafed through it, thought “hmmm, that looks like something Jae would knit” and then called the store when she saw I had designed it. Any time we gather around the knit table for conversation and laughs, inevitably some will brag about it on my behalf. My mom bought a copy within hours of learning it was available and so did my aunt. All of this is my way of saying that I am grateful for the support I receive from my family and friends.
Unfortunately, the laughter has been balanced with tears. I cannot begin to express how saddened I am that my friend will never see the shawl I designed for her. At the young age of 46, she lost her fight against melanoma. It is hard to believe that it has been over a year that we made the deal to trade talents. She had just finished spinning all the yarn I would need of the angora / wool blend. I have every intention to knit the shawl, but I don’t think I will keep it. It was never meant to be mine. I will listen for her voice to tell me it’s new owner. And I will miss her with every stitch.
Oh Jae, so sorry to hear about your friend. My thoughts are with you.
Congratulations on your publishing achievement. I’ve always thought it was just a matter of time. You are so talented.
My sister was 25 when she too was taken by cancer. During the times I sat with her I worked on various needlework, knitting and embroidering. To this day I think of her, she died after her diagnosis in a mere 6 weeks. 10/19/91
Congratulations on your publication! May you find someone worthy of your shawl.
Congrats and condolances…tough week.
I say make the shawl and auction it, donate the money to her favorite charity in her name :D
Having lost my dearest friend years ago at the young age of 46, I’m touched by the passing of your friend and the story of your shawl. I love Shan’s suggestion to make the shawl, auction it and donate the proceeds to your friend’s favorite charity in her name.
I am very sorry to hear about your friend. Melanoma is such a fast and vicious disease – all too common in Australia. You can have a 1cm lesion and it’s already in the lymph nodes and the blood.
Congratulations on the publishing – both patterns are beautiful, esp the shawl. But I have a soft spot for your shawls, always will..
Although I’m not a religious person – I do think there is a kind of karmic circularity that will be made when you knit the shawl from your friends handspun. Who knows, perhaps she might even be watching you.