Tuesday, yesterday, was almost "TOO" much coming in from all directions and I couldn't sort it out....but this morning it all became clear.....
For 3 years I have been driving by SASSY WIGS 4 U....and it has changed locations 4 times.......
"I am going to buy a wig"
popped into my mind yesterday and it was like a lightning bolt! It was completely out of the blue but with such ferocity that I didn't diddle daddle and it was 90 minutes I will never forget.
Yesterday morning I began with the sweetest note from Sujata gifting me an award for my blog and she asked me to accept and post 3 things I love......
My top two loves are STORIES/ connections and Family..
As the bell jingled on the door as I entered the wig shop, Genevieve looked at me and said, "I know you." We explored possibilities for familiarity and finally gave up...but when I left the store, "We knew each other."
During my "fitting", Genevieve and I looked at one another, giggled, had AH-HA moments and shared tears as we talked of raising children, romance in our marriages, passion for hobbies and life and......
The bravery of women who have had the courage to leave an abusive man and start over...Waking up and calling our DOVE center and saying, I need shelter, protection...A New Start....
A new start that includes a beautiful wig of hair that covers up the bruises, the thinning, the bald spots..a symbol of JUMPING OFF THE ROLLER COASTER of ABUSE and walking down a stable sidewalk towards a new life....
A haggard beat down woman walking into the shop and then Genevieve swivelling the chair around and seeing tears of HOPE in the woman's eyes as her new "do" reminds her...
The wig will protect her identity as she flees....
And "seam"lessly mine and Genevieve's focus switched gears to women and cancer.....The blessed job she has of fitting women and she shared stories of women who long to mix up the daily bandana/ scarf with a sassy wig or romantic curls they have always wanted....to distract a little one from his/her mommy's sickness, continue to be a sexual being for herself or mate, have the color that she always longed for but didn't have the guts to try until the final days of LIVING are CELEBRATED!
And this is when I sat and thought of my dear cousin, Nanyc, at 29 saying goodbye to her breasts and then her toddler.....
I began my sock swap project last night and out of nowhere a tiny scrap of fabric with pink ribbon and "QUILT FOR CURE" came to the top of my bin.....Instructions were to only use cream on cream but I just had to use the fabric.......
And this morning I visit Beth at Laugh Love Quilt and her post is......new project with fabric depicting women wearing wigs and pink ribbon for cancer....
Erin at Patchwork Place recently shared the story of a young man losing his mother to breast cancer and a touching book she read....
And the quilt on this post...sent to me yesterday by my Sis...
Not everyone loves PINK....and these wonky little squares took on breasts to me this morning, which one is yours today?
...So in this wordy POST I CELEBRATE.......(you fill in the blank)
My THIRD LOVE....
Emotions and the creative process they evoke!
Love, Em
PS...I have a lovely book written by a local author, Terry Tempest Williams, about our landscape and her family battle with breast cancer that is so breathtakingly beautiful....I will be giving away 3 copies to lucky winners who leave a comment and if you sign up as a follower to my blog you will get an additional chance in the drawing. If you feel inclined....link on your blog today and LET'S call today, WEDNESDAY'S WINK, NOT ALWAYS PINK DAY, 2011.
Drawing closes tonight at midnight Utah time...
16 comments:
wow em...i just got some pink ribbon fabric to make some comfort pillows. my bee makes a charity item each gift, this month it is comfort pillows To be used for mastectomy and Lumpectomy surgery and biopsies
Okay its hard to post through tears Em.....
lovely post.
If this doesn't make us count our blessings nothing will!
Cancer......I am one of 7 siblings everyone older than me has cancer, one brother, one sister dead of cancer, one brother one sister still fighting it. How can we make it end?
Thanks for a chance to win, I am already a follower and so glad happy to be one!
Big Hugs
Just when you think life gives you something hard to deal with, someone else has it worse... I'm grateful for today and for you my friend.
I'm grateful for free will to make new starts. It is so easy to stay with the familiar, even if it is uncomfortable or unwanted or unhealthy, but we all have the option of picking up and moving on. I remind myself of that all the time, and remind others who seem to think that the rut they are in is the rut they have to stay in.
And one rut that I used to be in was the old "stick your head in the sand and hope everything will turn out alright" rut. Breast cancer scares the bejeezus out of me, but for the longest time, I just thought, "It won't be me." So far, it isn't me, but about a year and a half ago I realized that I needed to be more proactive, examine myself regularly, donate money, spread the word about the need for awareness. So I bought a pink ribbon pink, and every day for the last year and a half (except for those few days when I misplace it - forget to take it off my shirt and it ends up in the wash - it is CLEAN!) I put that pin on my chest or my lapel when I get dressed. Even if I'm not leaving the house, I wear the pin. Even when it clashes with my professional work attire, I wear the pin. That conscious action of placing it on my shirt is a daily reminder that it could be me, or someone that I love, and that I need to 1) be vigilant and 2) not take even one day for granted. And if a woman sees my pin and goes home and examines herself, even better!
Just found you today! My mom had breast cancer and is still a survivor. I talk with her everyday and thank god she's still here.
doni @ Oregon coast
Dear Em,
You fill my heart with joy and laughter, courage and optimism all at the same time!
Love...
Beautiful post today Em!
3 things I am grateful for?
My family, the genetic and the chosen ones.
Creativity in all of us.
And, for this week, the fact that the Got Junk guys are coming to MY house!
Just happened to find you today.... lovely blog....
I know several survivors.it is not an easy road.I also know some who have went on to a more peaceful place,it is sad they had to endure so much pain first.Doesn't every quilt or project have a story behind it?
Love your wig-shopping whim! I have a sister who's done just about everything with her hair starting in high school, including a vibrant "cookie-monster" blue wig she bought here in NYC. It made her post-cancer (not breast cancer) wig-wearing and crew cut just par for the course.
What fun to discover this bright optimistic from Shelly's Quilts. :)
I'm greatful for my savior, my husband, my friends.
I've known too many that have lost the battle.
I think of my friend Debbie Hennis in some situations. She would say I've got cancer and I'm going to die and I just don't have time for her wondering what color nail polish to put on. I miss you Deb...
Women are wonderful, and you are wonderful. You help us all to see the positive in things where so many of us see only the negative. Thanks.
I have a little book I love with the title, The Remarkable Soul of a Woman. This post made me think of that. And how grateful I am for the wonderful women that have made my life what it is today. Thanks for the great post.
This was quite a powerful post...evoked a lot of emotion - some heavy sadness AND some lightness of the possibility that hope brings to find some joy. LOVE the "breast" quilt - mine would be large and polka dotted! Three things I love? Interesting question for this is the year I am open to learning to love my self, so thank you for the opportunity to list my loves: 1. My self (we women are so strong and wonderful, aren't we?) 2. My family 3. the whole quilting process. THANK YOU!
What a beautiful post. I learned so much about you. I had cancer on my scalp and after surgery had to get a wig. You must show us a picture of you in your new wig and tell us how you feel about it. You are a remarkable woman! Let's see that sock too!
Hi Em, what a beautiful post. Women need to realize their worth and be able to have a safe life. Today I celebrated my Mother on the 3rd anniversary of her death. Let us celebrate all mothers and women.
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