We are all connected

We had a lovely evening with Michele Franey last week at Mindful Knitting. Before we started with the knitting, we had a mindfulness exercise in which we took our time to appreciate a piece of fresh fruit. We experienced it slowly and with all our senses, taking a moment to look at its colors and to think about its history -- the entire process of its growing and being tended, harvested and transported to us. It was a really different and beautiful way to approach something we so often take for granted. The exercise created a grateful acknowledgement of everyone involved in bringing the fruit to the table. After the exercise, everyone commented on how very connected they felt to the wider world, and how they find that knitting does much the same.

Knitters seek other knitters. We find connectedness through our craft. We find the common thread that unites us despite differences in age, race, politics, and other factors that can so often be divisive. Through our knitting we are one, and we are part of the larger universal effort that supports our craft. We are linked together in ways that we may not even know. Connectedness is empowering, whether it's the strength and happiness of our knitting community, or the shared vulnerability to threats like breast cancer. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. To put it into perspective, on an average day, two or three of the women who come through our doors has had, or will have, breast cancer. I don't mean to be a purveyor of gloom, but I do want to make clear the frightening statistics, because there's only one way to fight: Awareness. Every woman needs to know the importance of regular screening, and every woman needs access to it. Sadly, many women in our community still don't know about the importance of a regular mammogram, and others simply cannot afford them.

This month, Crazy for Ewe, and other businesses around the town, are raising money to support MedStar St. Mary's Breast Cancer Outreach and Awareness efforts that provides free breast exams and mammograms to uninsured and underinsured women throughout Southern Maryland.

There are lots of ways you can help. Knit a heart for the Crazy for Ewe entry in Uplifting Designs. Come First Friday and vote generously on your favorite bra. Come to First Friday and purchase Awareness Cowl, our Pink Friday project and pattern.  We're donating $10 from every kit to MedStar.  While you're here, enjoy a glass of wine - we'll be donating $2 for every glass at First Friday and at all of our evening classes all month. You can also support the other businesses in town that are donating a portion of their First Friday proceeds to the cause. 

We can't prevent breast cancer, but we can support early detection for every woman in our community.

I look forward to seeing you at First Friday, in the shop, and around the table.  You are always welcome here.

~Ellen

Back to 3 October 2017 Newsletter