Elder Care |

September 6, 2011

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

What Does the 911 Attack Have to Do With Free Knitting Patterns?

Do you remember when?

Each generation seems to have an event that changed everything. My parents spoke about Pearl Harbor. Everyone in their generation knew where they were when they heard the news.

Some of my older colleagues spoke about the assassination of President Kennedy the same way. Both were events that shattered their respective generations’ feelings of safety.

Just like the Challenger disaster shattered the feeling of safety in space in the early 1980s.

And more recently the 911 attack in 2001.

When attacked, crafters have always been part of supporting the heroes. I remember reading Little Women as a child. As I recall at least one of the girls knit for their father who was away at the Civil War.

I’ve found similar stories for other wars. During World War I and II, women knit a variety of things for the military from hats to washcloths to socks. And after 911, there are knitting and crocheting groups that support the military and other heroes. One group has members make a square for an afghan that is then sent to the fallen heroes’ families.

There are a variety of free knitting patterns available to support the military and other heroes of 911, including

Helmet liners to keep heads warm under helmets…
Neck warmers…
Socks and slippers for the military.

And there are multiple benefits in crafting under stress –

The crafter relaxes while crafting. The Relaxation Response is very powerful.
Supporting the heroes, turning a negative into a positive.
Generating that warm comforting feeling in giving of yourself and your item. While sometimes you never hear back, other times you can get acknowledgement of your gift.

When I heard about the 911 Remembrance Organization and its 911 Remembrance Las Vegas Event, I knew I wanted to help support all the heroes of 911. I volunteered to write a post, and felt compelled to create a special knitting pattern for the organization.

I’ve added it to my free knitting patterns. It’s available by registering for the free membership at The Knitting Yarn. Just go to www.TheKnittingYarn.com/freemember.

In return please consider supporting the 9/11 Remembrance Organization or the 911 Remembrance Las Vegas Event. You can support them however you want. You can get more information on their website.

Sometimes it just helps to show others you care.

How do you show someone you care?

When you’re a knitter or other crafter you may make something.
Maybe you send a letter or a card or make a phone call.
Maybe you support them financially.

When you’re stumped about how to show someone you care, now there’s a free way to share your gift. While it says it’s to help relieve stress, overwhelm and burnout – and it does – it’s more. It’s a way to show others they’re important. And you can do it anonymously or not. You can find out more at www.AskDrIna.com/gift.

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight – or someone else’s,

Dr. Ina

Ina Gilmore M.D. (ret.)
“The Knitting Dr.”

Ambassador of Elder Care, www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com
Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com

The information on this website is for educational purposes only. It does not replace information or recommendations from your own physician or other health care provider. Full disclosure and disclaimer at www.TheKnittingYarn.com/policies.

Get your free patterns and stay updated with The Knitting Yarn Newsletter by becoming a free member at www.TheKnittingYarn.com/freemember.

Original Source:

What Does the 911 Attack Have to Do With Free Knitting Patterns?

Originally posted here:
What Does the 911 Attack Have to Do With Free Knitting Patterns?

Inspirational Thoughts |

September 1, 2011

| by Ronda Del Boccio ("The Story Lady")

Remembering 9 11: How Can Writing Poems about Family Unity Strengthen Relationships?

Remember 9/11: How Can Writing Poems about Family Unity Strengthen Relationships?

Have you ever considered creating your own poems about family unity with your family?

Lots of people search the web looking for such poems, but imagine coming together with your family and creating your own.

Powerful!

Your family’s thoughts, words and emotions mean so much more to your family than those of someone else.

The world is rapidly approaching an event that has not only touched every heart and every life in America, but many hearts and lives worldwide.

Early on the morning of September 11, 2001, the Twin Towers in New York City were attacked. They fell, taking thousands of lives. Other attacks also darkened that day.

I vividly remember the way people came together after those horrific events. America and the world pulled in a little closer, loved their families more, and looked for a deeper sense of community after the events of 9/11.

Indeed, for a while at least, people became more sensitive to what is truly important in life, namely their relationships with their family, friends, and their community.

As the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approach, you may be looking for ways to talk about this event with your family, especially children who were young or yet unborn.

There are many kinds of families other than blood relatives. Your family might be a church community or group of friends. How you define “family” is entirely up to you.

Finding ways to pull your family a little closer together promotes peace. Because where there is family unity, there can be community unity and world peace.

Certainly, you can look for poems about family unity on the web, but why not create them yourself? You do not have to be a “poet” or a “writer” in order to create poems about anything that touches your heart.

No matter how you define family, or who makes up your family, each member has memories, emotions, and dreams.

So instead of looking for someone else’s words, why not co-create your own poems?

Here’s how you and your family can co-create your very own poems about family unity…

This activity is not about following rigid poetic structure.

You don’t have to write a sonnet, villanelle or any other structured poem.

It is not important for the lines to rhyme, it is not important for the lines to follow a specific poetic meter.

There are no rules, however, a recipe or template can help. These steps may help spark your creativity.

1. Choose a theme for your poem. Make it something simple and open, to encourage each family member’s creativity. Some ideas for 9/11 memorials are:

“We remember 9/11.”

“Messages for the next 7 generations.”

“My commitment to my family.”

Once you agree on a theme, it’s time for each family member to contribute to the family unity poem.

2. Have each person in your family write a line or stanza (which simply means a “set” of lines) for the poems about family unity that you create together.

3. Come together as a family and assemble the poem in whatever way makes sense.

You may wish to combine creating poems about family unity with a meaningful ritual, such as lighting a candle, saying a prayer, and/or sharing a meal.

Do what feels right for your family.

When you come together in love, whatever you do is right!

And to deepen family ties, your whole family can become members of the free 21-Day “I AM a Gift to the World!” Challenge. Because when you join, you receive daily inspiration and much more.

Become a member now at www.ProfitableStorytelling.com/iamagift.

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Follow your bliss!

Ronda Del Boccio, The Story Lady of www.ProfitableStorytelling.com

#1 Bestselling Author, mentor and transformational storyteller

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Here is the original post:

Remembering 9 11: How Can Writing Poems about Family Unity Strengthen Relationships?