Getting on with things

Hello bloggy pals... I'm still here.  I wanted to let you know that things are okay. Sorry to have gone all quiet on you for a time there, I just needed to process everything that has happened lately. Many thanks for the overwhelming number of comments and emails, they have been a tremendous source of comfort. You guys are great. Quite a few of you wrote to share that you had lost your mom, too, and I truly appreciate that you shared that with me. Here's a hug back-atcha.

Things were under a cloud for a time, but it feels like bits of sunshine are beginning to peek through. I've been busy tackling the difficult things one has to do, like going through my mom's things, but I've also had a yearning for some sort of creative project. These last months I've carried a little stash of supplies around with me and found time here and there to stitch up some cheery yoyo's. Not sure how I'm going to use them, but having something simple for my hands to do was really comforting. And the yoyos have now become a metaphor for everything that happened over the summer, and whatever the final form, there will be special meaning in every stitch.

Cheers,

Jenny

Comments

[Kirsty]

So lovely to hear from you Jenny. I think that handwork will become even more meaningful as time passes.

[pip]

We've all been thinking of you. I hope you are okay. Look after your special self. xx pip

[Bonney]

So happy to hears things are feeling better. Isn't it nice to have busy hands? It really helps our minds. Welcome back!

[robyn]

Good to see you surfacing a bit Jenny. Take your time, we'll be here when you get your bearings. Don't rush it, virtual hugs to you!

[Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks&Me]

I have two small pictures on the table next to my bed. One is of my mother in her early 40s, soon after I was born (obviously I was a mid-life baby). It is a black and white picture of her sitting under a tree in the yard of our country home, snapping beans and smiling.

The other is a small color picture of her next to me on my wedding day. Both are priceless.

She passed quite a few years ago after a very long illness but I still miss her. Having those two pictures there, where I wake up each morning, brings her nearer.

My hugs and prayers go out to you.

[The Homely Animal]

I am so glad that you are back and that little beams of light are making their way through the clouds. My mother is alive, but she is gone and does not know my children. From what I gather, you're mother was present, loving and she left you with a part of her. That in itself is a priceless gift. It means a lot to me (and I'm sure to others) that you shared your experience with us. It was/is touching and personal but is filled with a feeling of love which is beautiful. My best wishes to you as your clouds continue to lift.
H.A.

[Laura]

Big Hugs to you Jenny

Glad your back. I know how hard this time is. Keep busy, know you are loved!!!

Laura

[heidi]

HI Jenny, What pretty little "yo-yo's"!....Sounds like this project is helping you get through this difficult time!....My thoughts are with you...Heidi XO

[Spare Ribbon]

It's nice to hear you are feeling better. Each day gets a little easier. Glad to see you are posting again. :)

[ellen kelley]

It has been a rough time and I am sorry. I know what it is to lose a mother..I am so sorry for your loss. Isn't is something that we never stop needing our mothers? It does get better and less painful with time, but it is a tribute to someone so special that we never forget. Sending you comfort in whatever way I can.

[jennzinn]

Welcome back, we're all so happy to hear from you! The Homely Animal's comment about light breaking through the clouds reminded me of one of the many, many ways I remember my mother. Whenever I see the sun breaking through the clouds and making those sort of heavenly beams that look like they belong in a painting, I smile and say "hi mom"; I like to think it's her sending her love to me.

When my mother died my sister, dad, and I had days where we couldn't imagine how to go on with the everyday aspects of life which seemed so trivial--why get up and go about our days when one of the most important people in our lives was gone forever? It may sound simplistic and strange, but in those cases we would say to ourselves and each other "What other choice is there? We can't just curl up in a ball and stop living, and it would be an insult to mom's memory if we tried to." You bring a lot of happiness and joy to many with your blog, and with time you will find more and more ways to bring happiness and joy back into your life as well. Twelve years later I laugh and love but can still be brought to tears by memories of my mom, tears that are a mix of sadness that I'll never see her again and a sort of comfort in happy memories of her.

I'm so sorry to ramble on for so long and hope you don't mind reading stories of others' losses. Take care of yourself.

[Cassi]

So nice to hear your sweet voice :) It's important to take the time that you need now and although we miss you we'll be here whenever you are ready. I have always found handwork to be a comfort and it is twice the blessing since whatever you stitch will have special meaning later on. Hugs, Cassi

[kitschen pink]

Lovely to hear from you. How nice to have a project to sew the happy times into. Be kind to yourself. t.x

[Kali @ Poppy Lane]

so really sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet Mom.
Big hugs and best wishes to you.
xo, kali

[Tracey]

Hi.
So sorry for your loss,
The yoyo`s you have made are great what about making something like a cushion im memory of your Mum,
Thankyou and take care

[Kristin]

I just wanted to extend a hug to you and say that I'm glad you're still here... we're all still here too, and will continue to be. *HUGS*

[Cele]

So good to see you posting and crafting. Be kind to yourself over the next while.

[Sue]

I can not even imagine how hard it must be to go through this.

Nice to see that you are back!

I bought all the differnt yoyo maker the other day and haven't had the time yet to make some. I just love the look of them.

[Teresa]

Welcome back.

[Jan]

It is lovely to read that sunshine is peeking through once again. We are so fortunate to have sewing as therapy. After losing my mother, it seemed as if my hands became her hands when I would stitch. I never noticed the similarity, until then. Whether sewing, or some other talent, your mother obviously gifted you with much. Those things will always keep her alive and near to you.

[ginny]

I'm glad your back and that sunshine is coming back into your life.Loss is so overwhelming and is a slow process to work through.I love how you have been making the yoyos. Working with my hands always gives me such comfort. I've missed you and it is good to see you again.

[Bridgette]

Welcome back.

[happy zombie]

Been thinking of you lots, and glad to see you coming up for air (and yo-yos). Yo-yo love, M.

PS... I got some of those yo-yo makers a few weeks ago. Even though I've only made a whopping two... I'm addicted. Don't know what I'm going to do with mine (yeah... when I finally make more than two), but they sure are fun.

[Bobbi]

Glad to see you back! I so relate to how you have been feeling. It's been about 25 years now since I lost my mom (I was 22). This is kind of personal, but she really isn't gone. I feel her with me all the time. I can even feel her laughing at me as I deal with my kids and they drive me buggy like I'm sure I did her at times! I love your yo-yo metaphore. Life is a yo-yo and unfortunately we HAVE to have the down times to learn and grow.

[ashley]

i'm over-joyed that you're back. and the sunshine. blessings!