You know… kindred spirits who weren’t born in the same family as you, but, bless them, they have come to mean more to you than words can say?

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

I am really lucky.

I have been blessed

with a couple of

friendships that

have grown into

the heights and depths

of what can only

be described as sisterhood.

It’s a huge blessing

to be cherished deeply,

when one of the

sisters of the heart

shares her voyage of  discovery,

and you recognize in her journey, your own path.

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

Her journey is probably

not exactly the same as

your journey,

but, because of the

deep trust between you,

she is willing to share

the process of navigating

it with you….

and you see, in her flight plans

and navigation charts,

an echo, a resonance,

a ring of truth that

echoes in your heart….

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

And, because of the

things that you have learned,

you are able to be of service

when she bumps up

on the rocks…..

and because of the things

that she has learned,

she can offer you wisdom

that will keep you from

harm in unexpected ways.

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

and sometimes,

if you’re especially

lucky,

there may be more

than one sister that

sets your heart to singing.

And, sometimes,

there can be challenges

and pains and griefs

and horrors and

losses and disruptions……

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

And, sometimes,

the losses and

separations

feel like they are

going to shatter your

heart…..

when cruel circumstances

seem to tear sisters

apart….

and the tear

unleashes tears…….

and sorrow,

and suffering…..

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

And a sister

thinks that

now,

she must

carry on

alone…..

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

But, then,

the feeling

of having

connection

and memory

and dreams

with the sister

who has gone along

another path, or

through a door that

remains closed to you,

for now…. lightens…..

photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright

And, as the grief

passes, and joy

bubbles up,

laughter

suddenly

appears again.

Like magic,

and wonder.

And all the gifts

of sisterhood

are remembered,

and treasured

and seen again,

in a new light…… and everything feels new again.

Sisters.

Yes……

The recent anniversary of the death of a beloved sister, as well as deep connections with the voyages of my other sisters of the heart triggered this post…. and triggered my making of the series of Cordelia cordmakers in the photos.

I love metaphor, and for me, creating tools for working with yarn and then working in yarn  is powerful. It helps me to see and understand the meaning in the metaphors:These are the means of creating blessings in small and loving ways….

They are a way of creating loving ties that bind up beauty and memory.

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

There’s the Ladybug Valentine Heart hook

and a few other ones

AND…. I have just finished painting and burning one of the new Heart hooks:

I have been mulling over and contemplating lots of issues-

Like….. what is home……. (we’re in the process of getting ready to move a BIG big move…). How do we create home when we leave a place that has been home, to make a new home….

Also, a door just snapped shut on a project that I’ve been very hopeful about.  Rats.

So, to re-group, I have really needed to spend time thinking about what it is I love to do.

And, to spend time DOING what I love to do.

So, I have been weaving up a storm on my small looms, and even if I say so myself,  I have been doing some REALLY terrific new designs.

And, one of the other things that really helps me get my head on straight again is to spend time working with wood.

Anyhow………. so………. I have been really thinking and doing stuff that is vital to my sense of self……

and here’s one of the things that has come out of that response to the pain of disappointment, rejection and frustration:

It’s my way of saying: I just have to stay with what I love, and find my way home in that feeling of love……….

Yep. One of the heart shape crochet hooks now has a portrait of a little house in the woods

The flash on the camera washed it out. Also, I photograph them before I varnish them, as the varnish flashes out, too, so the richness doesn’t show up.

Anyhow. This crochet hook says: Home. Love…..

and on the back:

a dragonfly. Because my best friend and I both saw a dragonfly on the uncarved hook.

So, the dragonfly stands for love and friendship, too…..

I have several friends who feel very strongly about dragonflies.

I am always awestruck when the dragonflies hatch and whirl and flicker and investigate their newly found wings.

It’s like they are saying:

‘Ah, so this….. T H I S ! is what I do now!

Yesterday, I lived in the water,

today I live in the air!’

Hmmm…. seems like a pretty good metaphor for someone who is wondering,

‘What next?’

Post from: Hankering for Yarn