My brother lives in New York. He was there in September 2001 and was one of the many who was evacuated in the direction of the river. Although we did not lose anybody we knew he lost friends and colleagues. He also runs. At the moment he is raising money for MS by doing as many runs as his workload will allow. When I turned on the news on Monday night my thoughts were immediate concern for his safety. It turned out that he had run a shorter race that day as he had not achieved the qualifying entry time for Boston. But what hit me was he could have so easily been there, and we could be in the same terrible situation that many families are now finding themselves in.
I have also been thinking of the young men responsible. The youngest is the same age as Big Sis. When she was home last week the house was full of friends, laughter and plans - so many plans that kids of that age have for their future. It is difficult to fathom what went so wrong as to allow someone of the same age think that what he was involved in was okay.
I came across a post on someone's blog. They knew the Aunty of one of the victims and had sent out a request for some woollen squares. These were to be made up into blankets for the families of those who lost their lives. I felt compelled to contribute and produced three crochet granny squares. It seems a little bit trivial compared to what these people are facing but each stitch was produced with love and I can only hope that it might go some tiny way in to producing something that will provide comfort.
Sometimes terrible events like these put our own worries into perspective.
Sending out warmest thoughts
Jane
xxx
Jane, this is a lovely post and you my dear are lovely to make these squares. I too have a 19 year old, I can not fathom the grief all of the families are going through, including the family of the two young men responsible for this madness. As a Mother, I feel for all of them
ReplyDeleteHugs to you,
Meredith
I'm glad you posted this and I'm grateful as a human being that you contributed to the squares project. Random acts of kindness gives me hope in humanity. I have friends in Boston who were terrified during the lockdown, I am a mother of a nine-year-old who cannot fathom the grief of the loss of the young boy...your post proves that we are *all* joined together as one global community, and support from strangers afar can be as powerful as a hug from a neighbour. We craft and create together, but support runs so much deeper. Chrissie x
ReplyDeleteIt's dreadful and it's all the more scary when you have loved ones there. The squares idea is lovely. In any tragedy or disaster, look for the helpers. They are always there in their hundreds. There is far more good and kindness in the world than acts of evil. Take comfort that there are always helpers. x
ReplyDeleteA lovely post. It is acts of loving support like this that will help those who are suffering. Thank you x
ReplyDeleteWell done for your effort to give comfort.
ReplyDeleteX
~ Thank you for this post....The idea and show of human kindness and support is so much needed at this time....to finish the race for those who did not come home.....Kindness as already said over turns evil every time.....I felt ever so proud watching the London marathon this year, more than ever......how brave was every one to not only take part, but stare fear straight in the eye...~ with kindest thoughts...maria x
ReplyDeleteNone of us ever knows what the next day, hours or minutes hold in store so keeping that perspective on a daily basis is what allows us to live with an attitude of gratitude. Your squares are lovely and for a very good cause. I've been doing much of the same for a charity on this side of the world. Wishing you a lovely day. Tammy
ReplyDeleteYou are right we must make the most of every moment in every precious day....Thanks for the reminder..
ReplyDeleteStay safe...and happy
Daisy j x
A lovely thoughtful post. The squares you have made are lovely and I am sure the finished blankets will be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteM x
What a thoughtful post ... we should be grateful for our safety each day ... your squares are a lovely thought and will be appreciated by the families ... Bee xx
ReplyDeleteThat was a very nice thing to do. I am sure people will appreciate the blankets.
ReplyDeleteHi Jane - I would be so interested in making some squares - are you able to finda a link ? This is such a lovely way to contribute
ReplyDeleteThe blog post is here
Deletehttp://www.yarnagogo.com/
and the lady who is coordinating the blankets is here
renabshannon@gmail.com
I'm sure she would welcome any contributions.
Thank you x
No question last week was a sad and anxious week..... so horrible for so many people, and why? Oddly, I too have been thinking of the younger brother. One minute you are college student with your entire life ahead of you, and now ~ despite the fact he is alive, his life is over. All seems so senseless. Very frightening when something like this happens so close to home.
ReplyDeleteSending peaceful wishes the Earth Day.
This was/is a very difficult topic indeed. So perplexing - what could that young man have been thinking?
ReplyDeleteYour squares are lovely and I hope they will help communicate the sense of loving support that surrounds the victims and their families.
I am so glad your brother was not harmed.
I think the recipients of those blankets will cherish them. Just as there are always those at the scene of disasters and attacks who will help the victims, there are always those who would have helped if they were there but show solidarity in different ways because they were not. Kudos to you for participating :)
ReplyDeleteI think when something like this happens, it is so difficult to make any sense of, and just to do something, like your squares, helps you and the families directly involved to come to terms with it just a little bit. So sad. xCathy
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog which in turn helped me to discover yours. Boston has been on everyone's mind and your contribution is from the heart which means they will treasure it. I too wonder about a 19 year old mind and what (who) could encourage it to do something like this. Apparently he is being very cooperative which at least shows some remorse. These are strange times we live in. Amelia
ReplyDeleteDearest Jane
ReplyDeleteMy sister also lives in New York and was there in 2001 too. This is a very thoughtful and poignant post. My heart goes out to those affected and the whole Boston community. Your squares are symbolic of a world that cares and that in itself is a precious and beautiful thing xxx Penny
My boss' daughter was running the Boston marathon and came through the finishing line half an hour before the bombs went off. She then came back and run the London marathon in support for all those in Boston. I just can't get my head around these people who think they can just take innocent people's lives for their own aims. I will take a look at that website you have linked to so I can contribute. Take care. Chel x
ReplyDeleteYour post is moving. I've never taken for granted that my life has turned out okay and as a survivor of major illness I am grateful for each moment. I have always had a 'there but for the Grace of God' go I attitude . It is hard to understand how some lives go so wrong, and how others are harmed or ended by these souls having taken the wrong path and yet it can and does happen. Life is too short even when it is long, so very sad that some are even shorter. Minerva x
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you posted this. Like many I was very moved by the events in Boston and I think projects like these help people feel that they can do something, no matter how small, to offer comfort. The square are a lovely idea and I'm sure the organisers will receive hundreds. x
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