May it rock where it roosts
Sunday December 06th 2009, 10:21 pm
Filed under: Family,Knitting a Gift

The Rooster Rock (this one captures the color better) went out of here a few days ago.

I sent my son John an email earlier this week and mentioned about my going to Purlescence and having had that handdyed Blue Moon Peru skein leap into my hands and insist, as loudly as a bluejay defending its nest, that it had found its territory and I was not to argue.  Didn’t matter that it was a heavier weight than I wanted. Didn’t matter that it wasn’t what I was looking for. It had found my hands.  That’s all that mattered to it.

And so I had had to introduce myself to this stranger of an alpaca-blend yarn.  Not knowing why it was so sure of itself, I figured out a pattern that would match the autumn-leaves effect of the colorway and knitted the thing up quickly for–who?  There wasn’t enough yardage to get it as long as I wanted and there was just the one skein, so I kept the stitch count fairly short and left the neck long and wide and open to make sure it would work well for a larger person should it need to. Fling it over the shoulder, tie it in front, whatever, it would do.  It would go well over a winter coat, given its thickness, and then once inside, the wearer could fasten it over their blouse or sweater.

It was done.

John wrote back.  Given that he’d already asked for a shawl once during his two-year mission for the Mormon Church–that silk one (better picture here) I sent him awhile back–he’d felt very hesitant about imposing on me again. But just like the silk went to a woman with MS, he knew, in the city he was now serving in, another woman with severe health problems he was worried about.  He hadn’t been going to ask me again, but…

And it was sitting there in the corner going, Hah!  Toldja so. I answered John, You’re not asking, I’m offering.

That son of mine has a soft spot for people with health issues. I wonder how that happened?

It felt right.  I don’t even know the woman’s name this time, much less her coloring or favorites.  It still felt right.  It’s not bluejaying me anymore–now it’s time for it to bluejay him. He won’t be out there much longer, so I FedExed it to make sure it got there while he could still get it where it needs to go.  The time to do good in this life is short enough as it is.

He’ll do the right thing with it.

And now you know as much as I do.


15 Comments so far
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I call that doing something because it feels right, “Feeding God’s sheep with whatever kind of food they need (or the Spirit moves me to).”

Comment by Barbara S. 12.07.09 @ 5:27 am

The recipient will love it no matter what the colorway is but seeing that it is so beautiful is an added bonus. Your son is a “sweetie”!! His parents raised him right!

Comment by Joansie 12.07.09 @ 6:04 am

I think your son has a heart as big and as giving as yours. Pat

Comment by pat flores 12.07.09 @ 6:36 am

Your son has a good heart – naturally. I’m sure that beauty will be just right for the woman at the other end.

Comment by Channon 12.07.09 @ 6:39 am

Like mother, like son. No geographical limits to the good that can be done, the simple desire to alleviate one’s pain with a touch of kindness and a huge surprise.

Some people talk to animals; you hear yarn when it communicates to you. I wonder if there is material there to write an article about? lol

Comment by Suzanne in Mtl 12.07.09 @ 6:40 am

It’s just beautiful! I’m sure it will be loved and will spread the love of God, too.

Comment by Toni Smoky-Mountains 12.07.09 @ 7:48 am

That’s heartwarming. I can’t wait to read what happens to John and the shawl next.

Comment by LynnM 12.07.09 @ 9:29 am

Suzanne in Mtl, you can call your article “The Yarn Whisperer.”

Comment by LauraN 12.07.09 @ 10:05 am

What was meant to be, happened. Nothing like that feeling of warmth, plus you have a son of whom you obviously raised right.

Comment by Holly 12.07.09 @ 10:56 am

We’d all been waiting to hear what that insistent yarn would be come. Three cheers for John!

I feel certain there will be more to this story, in time.

Comment by Barbara-Kay 12.07.09 @ 11:20 am

Funny how things work out sometimes, isn’t it? I’m glad he called, and that you were ready!

Comment by Jocelyn 12.07.09 @ 12:44 pm

Bluejaying. What a perfect description!!! 🙂

Comment by Ruby 12.07.09 @ 6:23 pm

He was worried about imposing onyou by asking you to knit something???!?!?!? does he worry about imposing on you to make sure you breathe too? Heh. I’m absolutely positive that the shawl will be greatly appreciated. Nothing like kowing someone, anyone cares to make you something. Even if you don’t know tem. In a way, that is even better. Family HAS to care about you, A stranger does not. So a gift from them can actually mean more.

Comment by Carol 12.07.09 @ 8:01 pm

You have a truly good son, but that doesn’t surprise me!

Comment by Madeline 12.07.09 @ 9:10 pm

Oh, Alison! The colors look gorgeous!

Comment by Amanda 12.08.09 @ 10:17 pm



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