The Patch

Dear Stitchers,
I'm BAAAACK :-) I have to say, I'm liking this blogging thing. Modern technology is something else, huh? I was blessed by so many people reaching out to me, asking me about Jimmy and asking me about me! Thank you so much. I have to say....one thing brought tears to my eyes, and that was a visit from Pat Perry. You see Pat and her mother Rhody have been fixtures in the shop since Day 1. . They have been on MANY of our early trips to Pawleys Island....and they were at every Stitcher's Retreat at the shop. In fact, shortly after my son Jimmy was born, we had a Retreat, and there is a photo of Rhody holding my sweet baby boy. They are beautiful, beautiful stitchers...and more importantly, beautiful people. Several years ago, Rhody passed away, and though no death is ever an easy thing to process.....it was very hard to let go of this wonderful lady, as her daughter Pat will attest to. Pat and Rhody knew me from the time I was "knee high to a grasshopper" to seeing me become a mother. So, on Tuesday, when Pat popped in the shop and swallowed me in a big bear hug with a big smile...that was really special. Somebody taking the time out to come say Hi, I'm glad things are going well, that was a blessing to me. It hasn't always been easy for Pat to come back into the shop...where she and her mom had shared so much. You'll never know, Pat...just how much that meant to me :-) THANK YOU! I know your mom was with us...and she was smiling.
That made me think about friendships. There's nothing like them. I was singing that song..."make new friends, but keep the old...one is silver and the other's gold". I can remember wondering WHAT DID THAT MEAN!?!?! Fortunately, I've had time to figure that one out! We share so many things here at the shop...the joy of counting and stitching is certainly one...but so are the bonds of friendship that we form. It is a special thing to be able to share our burdens ...... share our joys...with one another. It is truly a blessing. I have a handful of "new" friends who I treasure...and I have a handful of "old" friends that I treasure. Those friendships have gotten me through many a "gray" day...and rejoiced with me through many a happy day. One of the things that I think is so amazing...sometimes you don't have to say ANYTHING..just a smile, a hug, a look..that's the gift of friendship.

Here's to FRIENDSHIP <3 b="">

(I've included the "page" you'll find these models in our online catalog. Just click on it and it will take you to the page)

Hope of the Heart

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=12973