Heart in Hand Needleart, Part II

My original plan had been to post another entry on my wife’s cross stitch company this week leading up to a final one that I think will give you a chuckle. I am adding an additional post. Think of it as a guest post by my wife, Cecilia.

In my first post about Heart in Hand Needleart, I wrote, “During the latter half of the 1980s, Cecilia was doing counted cross stitch as a hobby, including stitching still-treasured Christmas ornaments for a few years.”

Cecilia recently wrote a short entry for her Instagram and Facebook accounts on just why she was stitching so often in the latter half of the 80s. Her eloquence in describing what was incredibly difficult but has led to grace is too beautifully written not to share. Peace, my friends.

________________

< Storytime > For 33 springs this tree has opened its delicate cross-shaped blossoms in our yard, a continuing gift to us from dear friends since our son Matthew died at birth. 

When we moved from our first home to our current home, we brought the tree with us and it has thrived near our front walk. This winter we had an ice storm and the branches were frozen, weighted nearly to the hard ground. My worries dissolved when the ice melted in a few days, but I would have grieved the loss of the dogwood had it died. It is a reminder of some of the gifts Matthew gave me — a greater appreciation of family, of time, and the preciousness of my children and now grandchildren. 

Matthew even led me to Heart in Hand Needleart. After he died, stitching was my refuge, my therapy. The long hours I spent stitching were my haven. Perhaps you, too, know the refuge needlework offers in a dark season? As my grief waned in the following years and our daughters were born, I experimented with designing and was encouraged to publish my work. Heart in Hand Needleart was born. 

This past weekend, Randy and I stood underneath Matthew’s dogwood in full bloom. We held two of our grandchildren, reminders of the blessings the years have brought. I was reminded, too, of the gifts Heart in Hand has given me. Friendships here. Your kind words of encouragement. The stories you have shared of needlework gifts to treasured friends and family members. Our mutual haven. All grace. A continuing gift. Thank you, dear friends. #heartinhandneedleart