This past week, I was able to spend the week with my girlfriends at Camp Walumet on Newfound Lake. These lovely ladies and I have been friends for over 50 years. One friend since we were 4. One since 4th grade and another since 5th grade. I value my time with them in a very different way than other friends I’ve met over the years.
These ladies have seen me through the trials and errors of my whole life. As well has my achievements and joys. We’ve been through the dating scene together, the marriage scene, the children scene, for a couple the divorce scene, and even a second marriage scene for one. There is nothing we can say or do that will deter us from our friendship. We even had a bit of a heated political debate that ended with a hug and the knowledge that we can still be friends even if we don’t agree. Maybe we can teach politicians a few lessons.😬
So, anyway, I’ve been thinking about friends and the types of friendships we go through in our lives. As above, the lovely ladies will be lifelong. I have no doubt.
I have one very close friend I met when our boys were in first grade together. We were on a field trip to Plymouth Plantation. We had the pleasure of sitting together on the bus and we’ve never looked back. We hit it off like we had known each other forever. We laugh at the same things, get upset about the same things, and I always feel rejuvenated after spending time with her. We taught boy scouts together, she filled in for a few Girl Scout meetings when I needed her (and she has no daughters), and she became my classroom assistant when I continued my teaching. In the classroom, she could look at my face and know what I was thinking, and often finished my sentences. I spent time with this friend yesterday, due to the fact that her husband passed away on Sunday. We don’t get to see each other often, but we are always able to pick up where we left off. I love her and her family, and always will.
Then of course we have the couple friends. Friends met while we have been married either through our children, at the bus stop, on a sports field, or in a hockey rink. Some of these friendships have lasted through the years, and others have entered our lives and left as our interests and priorities have changed.
Now, you are probably wondering what all of this has to due with knitting. Well, I will try to bring this full circle.
While at Walumet, I never picked up my knitting. And I’m pretty sure I had about six projects with me. Knitting is a daily need for me, and for some reason I didn’t need it this past week.
Sitting with my friend yesterday, I wanted to wrap her in a big hug. So I will be knitting her a chunky weight blanket so she can always have a hug from me, as she grieves her husband.
And the friends we have met through the years represent the changes my knitting has gone through over time. Sometimes I chose a project that was simple and would be off my needles quickly, like the friends who entered my life and left quickly. And other times my projects would be more detailed and would take longer, kind of like the friends who have hung in there through the years.
As you pick up your knitting over the next few days, think about all the people that have entered your life, and are still in it. Think about the friends who entered and left. But be thankful for the friendship they have all offered and the peace they gave you while they were there. They filled a need, like your knitting may fill a need for you.
Be kind to each other, and happy knitting!
PS. The baby socks I was making using the pattern in the book Knit 2 Socks in 1 didn’t get finished. Oh well, there is always next month. 🤣