Sunday, January 27, 2013

Stitching to Keep My Balance


Good health is a gift that we take for granted most of the time. Actually, we should give thanks for it every day. The past month found me struggling with the illness of a loved one, and the past four days have been spent in hospital waiting rooms. So I have stitched my way through it.
The complexity of this stitching represents well the complexity of my emotional state. Yet, taming the various strands of fabric allows me to focus on a problem that can be solved, a bit at a time. 

At the hospital, people look at me oddly because I’m the only person doing anything while waiting. I can’t figure out how they do it, doing nothing, which would drive me nuts.
Fortunately, we arrived at the hospital in the nick of time, the prognosis appears good, although the road to recovery will be a bit slow. And at least we found the road to recovery. It was dicey for a while.

36 comments:

Stitching Lady said...

I wish you and the one you are caring for the very best and all the strength you are needing for it. I love your sentence: "I can't figure out how they do it, doing nothing". It is so true also for me.

deanna7trees said...

happy for the good news. and yes...i've always got my kindle reader or some stitching with me wherever i go.

rtquilter said...

Very, VERY best wishes to you and yours, nadia. We are all thinking about you and we all know that our stitching and creating helps keep a balance in our hearts and minds and souls.I started quilting in earnest when my "baby brother" was diagnosed with Leukaemia several years ago. Without my drawing and quilting, I would have had a VERY bad time. I cannot sit still either, especially in a crisis. My prayers are with you and your family for a positive outcome. BTW, splendid bit of new work going on there!

Cate Rose said...

Sending hugs and prayers to you, Nadia. I love how you're making "down" time "up" time. Blessings.

Taos Sunflower said...

I am glad this story has a happy ending and hope the person you speak of is well soon.
I'm with you on waiting; I don't know how people can stand it. My hands always have to be doing something. I remember carding much of a fleece at the bedside of my son, years ago, when he had head surgery. It helped keep me sane. PS I love what you were working on.

Rachaeldaisy said...

It's great to hear the patient is on the road to recovery. I agree that stitching is a sanity saver.

Claire said...

Good to hear that things are improving. When my smallest daughter was very sick my patchwork went everywhere with me around the hospital (she's fine now). Beautiful stitching as always.

Julie S said...

Your piece is so magnificent, when I follow any given line, it is clear you are weaving WHILE you are stitching.

Margo said...

I too have stitched away the hours by the side of a loved one or friend in the hospital. It seemed that the hospital staff came by the room more when I was there doing my thing, because it was something interesting and uplifting in their day as well. Translate that to a bit more care for the patient, and sanity for the sitter. Good luck in the recovery period.

patricia said...

sometimes it does feel compulsive, but i piece squares whenever i have to wait. working of grandboy quilt. was holding my breath through your post. so good to hear a happy resolution

Merilyn said...

Sorry to hear of your loved ones' illness, glad to know medical attention was administered in good time and that there is going to be a good outcome! I find stitching is the best form of therapy when you are stressed/worried, all that energy has to go somewhere, why not into creating something beautiful!

Mary said...

I hope your loved one continues to improve every day. It sounds like you have had some very scary times indeed. Keep stitching.

MariQuilts said...

I Hope eveything goes well....and yes I would need to be stitching or knitting, while waiting.

Unknown said...

glad to hear the road is one of recovery. Warm thoughts and good wishes from me, and keep the hands busy..it really helps one get through the toughest of times.

Julie Fukuda said...

I have done that myself and know how much that bit of handwork helps ... and how people stare, wondering what you are up to. Prayerful thoughts are headed your way.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Hope for a quick healing for your loved one. As for doing nothing - I simply can't imagine it. I carry a book with me pretty much everywhere I go and I never sit idle without some form of something creative in my hands.

Tonya Ricucci said...

I find hand quilting very soothing in that situation. glad the prognosis is good. take care.

Quilteuse Forever said...

Comme je te comprends Nadia... J'ai moi aussi une personne très proche malade et coudre ou quilter m'apporte quelques heures de soulagement, je recharge ainsi mes batteries...
Bon courage à toi, chère Nadia.

Bouts Choisis said...

Nadia, I'm so sorry to hear that you are having such a difficult time and I'm sending my best wishes for continuing improvement in the health of the patient. I'm glad that stitching has brought you some comfort and agree that it is better to keep the hands occupied rather than just sit with nothing to do. Kind regards, Lynne

conny's quilts en creaties said...

I wish you and your loved ones all the best for recovery!

Anonymous said...

Hopefully it will all be better soon!

O'Quilts said...

Such scary stuff...I am sorry, but glad the outcome looks good..I just love the term, "peace thru piecing":) Thank God for sewing. Sending hugs from Charlotte.

Sarah said...

I hope your loved one continues to improve. My thoughts are with you.

Carol said...

I have prayed for you and your loved one, and we know that God answers prayers. Remember Ro.8:28 xoxo

Linda A. Miller said...

Glad to hear the prognosis was good. It is good to have something to balance oneself with.

Katie said...

Glad they are on the road to recovery. Your stitching road is beautiful.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

So glad you got a good report! Hope is a wonderful thing. And I am with you - I cannot bear to sit and do nothing while I wait, and I've had to do a lot of it over the years. I usually take a small crochet project with me. I cannot tell you how many dishrags I've made over the years!

Anonymous said...

Hi Nadia
My best wishes to you and the loved one for a good health and speed recovery.
I am always got something with me whereever I go.
Keep the lovely stitching going on.
Najlaa

Carli The Quilter said...

Thank You for reminding us that stitching can take place anywhere. I am so glad for recovery and a prayer upon the wind is sent to you. Stitching provides me with a similar focus while sorting through troubling thoughts, issues in my life or grief. I cannot sit with my hands idle.
LOL
Carli

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear that your loved one is on the road to recovery. So lucky that you are in Tunisia where medical care is available. And good to see you kept yourself busy as I know how mind numbing all the waiting can be. Here in Libya the waiting area turns into a gabfest with everyone asking everyone else their personal problems... I always bring a book.

Emma said...

Hope all is still going well, stitch away! I get very itchy watching people do nothing but if I've forgotten to bring something I use Yoga to keep me sane.

I love the having the privlige (sp!) of seeing while looking some of the time, your gate is beautiful.

Minka said...

Hope all goes well. I took up meditation to help get through the waiting....or did I learned to meditate at those times I did not have my knitting or sewing? Or did the textiles work teach me to meditate? Either way, I hope all is well with you and your loved one and wish the blessing of a speedy and complete recovery for all.

PURA said...

May God give you and yours peace and a good recovery.
The piece you are working on will be a treasure and it looks great.
Hugs.

Nellie's Needles said...

Sending good and healing thoughts to you and your loved one. I've experienced that stitching worked under those circumstances take on a special meaning that is eventually revealed because you've been transported to a different place by circumstances. Hugs!

Jeannie said...

Sending healing thoughts to your loved one and hugs to you. I have been away for the same reason and was sad to read that you are in a similar situation. I have my "busy bag" at the ready and a variety of stitching, knitting, and drawing so whatever the mood, I am ready. Hoping that the patient is speeding towards recovery and will be home soon. Hugs.

blandina said...

Usually I am the only one knitting in a waiting room as well. For me it is the meditation involved in the 'making' that helps to keep the anxiety at 'reasonable' level.
I read your most recent posts, now I know that recovery is on the way.
All the best to you and your loved one, dear friend.