A Stitch in Time




This past week, my daughter and I have spent each day, side by side, quietly, together. She is in the hospital recovering, growing stronger with each day. We have settled into a routine and have each created our own creative 'comfort' space within her room. She with all the items above on her bed and me in a comfy chair by the window.

I sit with a bag of coloured yarn tending my hands to needlepoint and my daughter sits with one enormous pink ball of yarn by her side as she swiftly works her knitting needles. We have taken to our craft projects like two peas in a pod. She is teaching herself to knit a scarf which she believes is now starting to resemble a rag but either way she is knitting herself to good health. My project is ten years in the making, a Christmas stocking for my youngest son. I have made great progress and think that this just might be the year that he finally sees the finished project. As we sit and talk, our hands work in natural rhythm, up and over, in and out. With each stitch, I can feel her health improving.

Our routine has been the same each day. The pace has been calm and relaxing, just what the doctor ordered. As a mother, I am comforted to see and watch the people around her. The nurses, both men and women, have been fantastic. I have always had great admiration for people who have been drawn to the calling of looking after others. It is not an easy job and requires patience, skill and compassion. I have witnessed them all this week. Each day, a new shift, a new face and each one with the same enthusiasm to see the people around them return to good health.

Tomorrow, I leave New Zealand for England. I leave comforted knowing that she is in good hands and that in a short time, will be able to join us in England. In the meantime, she stitches, up and over, in and out, working her way to recovery.

Before I go, I want to thank you all for your many kind comments and thoughts for us both over the past week. I have been severely lacking in my blogging communication lately. I had hoped to have the time to catch up this past week but intermittent Internet access has made it difficult. In a way, it has been a blessing, as it has left us time to 'just be'.  I look forward to stopping by and saying hello when life settles down. In the meantime, best wishes to one and all for the week ahead. :) xx


images~me

Comments

  1. That's great news, Jeanne. Wishing you both all the best. Safe travels... Michelle

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  2. Good to hear that she is on the way to recovery. Have a safe journey home, hope the ash from the Chile volcano does not hold you up.

    Look forward to your next post.

    xx

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  3. Hi Dear Jeanne
    Well I am the one behind in blogland and sorry to hear your daughter is in hospital.. nothing too serious I hope...

    Best wishes to her.. and safe travels to you both.. ciao xxx Julie

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  4. This is the best news you could have sent us Jeanne, hope she gets home to you very soon
    take care
    Sharon
    x

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  5. I just spent time in the emergency room with my youngest son (14), and the staff was so good to us. It is a comfort to have people who really want to help others. My sister is an emergency room nurse.
    I am sending wishes for a speedy recovery for her and wish you a safe journey. <3

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  6. Jeanne, I had no idea that she was in the hospital! I am so sorry to heard this!! I'm sending up my prayers for a speedy recovery, and much love to you. It's nevr easy on a mothers heart to see their child unwell, no matter what their age. xoxo

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  7. I'm sorry to hear your daughter is in the hospital. New Zealand would so far away from England and it must have been so worrisome while getting to her. So glad to hear she will be joining you in England.

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  8. I am so relieved everything is going well. I know you will be happy to have her home with you soon. Thoughts and prayers for you both as you journey home.

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  9. Oh, so sorry to hear your daughter is ill !!!! I thought
    you went just to visit. Glad to hear all is going well.
    Michelle xx

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  10. Jeanne, I didn't realise that your daughter had been injured. My thoughts and prayers are with you both and all the people in Christchurch. So glad to hear that she is making good progress and will be able to join you back in England soon. Love Molly x

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  11. I am so concerned. I've been attempting to catch up myself after a short illness, and wasn't even aware she was ill. Please write and update when you can. I'm very relieved she's doing well. Much love to you both!

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  12. I think that you are right, being behind on the blog gave you are wonderful gift...time! Time to sit and be with your daughter. It sounds as if the two of you enjoyed some quality time together and crafting as well. I hope that she is well and will be on her way home to you ASAP. Take care of yourself.

    Looking forward to seeing your Christmas stocking, I always wanted to try a project like that.

    Safe travel, Elizabeth

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  13. Had totally missed this event. Glad to hear that things are going well and she will soon be able to travel home to England. Sending good thoughts and hugs for a speedy recovery - and some more mom-time.

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  14. I'm glad your daughter is doing better and I will also add my prayers for good health and safe travels!

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  15. Hi Jeanne

    Sending love and prayers. I love the rhythm of the needles clicking and your needle going in and out as your embroidered your stocking. Your daughter's scarf is coming along well and will be perfect when blocked
    Helen xx

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  16. Hi Jeanne, I am so very sorry to hear that your daughter is in the hospital. I am happy to hear that she is getting better and I know you will be so relieved to have her with you in England. I will be thinking about her and hoping she has a speedy recovery!
    xx Sunday

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  17. Precious memories you two are stitching up there. It makes my mom-heart happy to know you are together and that your daughter is feeling better.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

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  18. I've so NOT been in the know about your daughter's visit to the hospital! This was such a poignant post, especially because you illustrated it with such personal things...a hospital bed has never looked so inviting!

    I'm glad to hear of recovery and a return to England. You've been so gracious and graceful about this visit to Christchurch...

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  19. I feel as though I've missed something somewhere too Jeanne. I had no idea your daughter was in hospital. Your trip here has sped by so quickly - even more so for you I'm sure. Pleased things are on the mend and on the up. Safe travels home. P.S I'm impressed with your blogging via the ipad - because I can't for the life of me figure out how to do it - not with photos anyway. I must obviously have to check out the blogpress app. xx

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  20. Oh, Jeanne! I can't believe I've missed this. What is wrong with Miss Christine? I do hope it's nothing serious. J x

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  21. Dear Jeanne,
    Well, I must have missed something somewhere but didn't know that your daughter was poorly and in hospital. It is good to hear that she is recovering and is able to click away with her knitting needles. Tell her Jackie in England says that she needs to watch plenty of comedy. Laughter is the best cure for anything, I have found !!
    Hope that you are coping too jeanne as there is nothing worse than our children being ill.
    Lots of love to you and your family and a safe journey back to England Jeanne. XXXX

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  22. Jeanne ~
    So glad to hear your lovely daughter is recovering and growing stronger each day. I will continue to keep her in my prayers.
    Gentle hugs!

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  23. Jeann! How did I miss this? I'm so sorry to even hear that your daughter has been hurt. All my love and at least pleased to know you are ok and she is on the mend.
    xxx

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  24. Jeanne, I wish your daughter a speedy recovery and you a safe trip back home. I'm sure your being there meant the world to her.--Joe

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  25. I don't know how I missed this - I had no idea your daughter was ill. Glad to hear that she is doing better!

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  26. I hadn't realized that you went to NZ to be with your daughter Jeanne...so I am happy to hear that she is recovering and doing so well.

    Having her mother near -- that makes a tremendous impact on recovery -- I know this for a fact.

    I loved reading your post -- your description of you both stitching/knitting, the needles moving, sharing one another's company -- so very moving.

    Safe travels back to England my friend and your daughter will be joining you soon of that I am sure! ♥

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  27. Thanks you all for your very thoughtful comments! Christine and I both enjoyed hearing from you. I left New Zealand with a weary heart, wishing I could stay on just a little bit longer. I know she will be fine, she is in good hands and she has a strong will. I look forward to the day when we can sit together in England and carry on with our knitting and needlepoint.

    Thanks again :) xx

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Can I just say....that I so enjoy what YOU have to say. If you would like to write to me directly, I would love to hear from you... jeannecollageoflife@gmail.com

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