Middle school was a tough time for me, as I imagine it is for many kids. I was never bullied, thankfully, but I was largely ignored. I was not popular, by any stretch of the imagination, and so, I sort of melted into the social background. Luckily, I always felt seen by my family, and their support was often what got me through those years, but there was something else that helped...
It was during those middle school years that I discovered knitting. In a small shop on the main street of our town, surrounded by yarn and the soft clack of knitting needles, I found a safe haven.
It was there that I learned to knit and marveled at how a skein of yarn could become a beautiful scarf, or a pair of mittens. It was there that I made my first big project...a vest for my mom. I still remember finishing the knitting and the joy I felt getting to pick out the buttons. My mom still has that (somewhat homely) vest in her closet...and I love looking at it, fingering the rough green tweed wool and remembering the excitement I felt watching her unwrap it and try it on.
During my recent trip home, I paid a visit to that same little yarn shop,
Right Off the Sheep, still there after all this time. The owner, Anne, was inside, knitting with a group of ladies. I approached her, and said, "I'm not sure if you remember me, but you taught me to knit about 100 years ago!"
She remembered me, and like a true knitter, her first question was..."Are you still knitting?"
I explained that I was a somewhat lazy knitter, but yes...I still knit. I told her about my newborn son, and how I had knit him a few baby hats, and I looked forward to making him a sweater or two when I found the time. We chatted for a while as I took pictures of her cozy shop (I fell in love with these amazing fish-wouldn't they be cute in a nursery, hanging above the crib?).
As I turned to leave, I wanted to thank her...for teaching me to knit, for providing a safe place during those tumultuous years, for just being there...but I couldn't find the words, and customers were demanding her attention. But...I hope she knows, that although some may say it's
just knitting...it made a big difference in this girl's life.
Middle school was a tough time for me, as I imagine it is for many kids. I was never bullied, thankfully, but I was largely ignored. I was not popular, by any stretch of the imagination, and so, I sort of melted into the social background. Luckily, I always felt seen by my family, and their support was often what got me through those years, but there was something else that helped...
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Oh, what a sweet post. It is so amazing to think that in those times of our lives, we fuel a talent that grows into a life long hobby. I still love so many of the things that I did at that awkward age where I was starting to come around to who I was.
I have been thinking a lot about that time in my life, lately. It's silly, but there was a boy in middle school that one day told me I was the prettiest girl in school. Long story short, I wasn't. At all. Boys didn't like me and like you, I sort of just disappeared into the crowd.
A few months ago I contacted him on facebook and told him thank you, and how much that tiny little sentiment meant to me, 15 years ago.
Maybe you could send a little note to the shop owner? Or even just a link to this post. It sounds like you found the words to thank her, after all.
I agree with Aura, sending her the link to this post will tell her how you feel. I think it's important to tell people what they mean to us or how they impacted us; sometimes we have no idea that we have touched others and can mean a lot for HER.
I find it is often the seemingly small things that make the biggest impacts on our life... sadly it is often too late to say thank you as it is impossible to find the person again etc etc. So I think you should! Hope you and your beautiful baby are doing fabulously :-) x
great story...what a great haven!
A lovely post...Lovely photos, and yes, the fish are great! Thanks Christine...
Beautiful, Christine.
And if you figure out how to make the fish, I'd be happy to pay you for some...
XOXO
gorgeous shots, christine. would love to get tea with you--we need something to take the chill off around here! and also, i need to know your local source for yarn! xo.
What a sweet story, and that shop looks amazing. Wish I could visit.
Those really are precious years.... what a lovely place to be protected.
i love this story christine! thanks for sharing it. i think those of us who had a hard time at that age usually turn into the BEST people... ;n)