Saturday, December 09, 2006

Catching up

MidwifeKnits
I have been sick with some supervirus since a week ago Friday. Spent most of the day last Sat. in bed, felt better enough to go to work on Monday, but by Monday night was totally down for the count. How can a person get sick during the busiest time of the year? But i did manage to get a little knitting done in between swigs of nyquil and squirts of Afrin. Four...yeah, count em...four churros. Three in Lornas Laces superwash and one in Paton's Decor (a solid and variagated combined). But now only 3 slippers and one fingerless mitt to go and the giftees are finished.

DH flew up to St. Mary's Alaska on Wednesday with the 50th anniversary of the AK AirNat'l Guard's Operation Santa Claus. This mission is a holiday tradition for our family and distributes toys and Christmas gifts to children in rural villages (not on the road system) all across Alaska. The celebration features Santa and Mrs. Claus, food, presents, and lots of singing. Cultural influences include the addition of Native Dancing and Drumming. One attendee remembers being an awestruck 9 year old with the first Operation Santa Claus. His story brought tears to everyone's eyes. It just shows you that the gift is in the giving, and you never know how far or for how long the ripples continue.






On Thursday I was missing the Lornas Laces camo-colored number. Look what was next to the couchhound in the dog's den! Do you think she was trying to tell me something?




And lastly, DD had her first high school dance-"the snowball"-Saturday night. She met a group of kids there. She was really really nervous. In her fancy dress,I can see glimpses of the woman she is becoming. When she got home, she was just vibrating and said that she'd never had such a good time. We talked the next day about it and she said she'd been really nervous because she'd never "danced" before with anyone except me and dad and she was afraid of looking like a dork. And she'd never slow danced with anyone and wasn't sure where/how to put her hands/arms..."but mom, it just all came together naturally and felt comfortable"..."and I just took my shoes off and got out on the dance floor with my friends and did what they did and it was a blast"....."i can't believe how hardly any of the guys would get up and dance"....and then "I'll probably be one of those girls who likes going out to parties to dance a lot when I get older"....
It was so special to see her and listen to her and relive a little of that lost magic from before we were all grownup.

6 comments:

jayne said...

So sorry to hear you've been sick, Lisa. Not too sick to knit (that's good), but sick (that's not good).

Your daughter looks so pretty. One day that will be my daughter going off to a dance (and I will feel old).

LOL about the dog with the camo hat.

Grace said...

I think if I had know High school was the only time I had to get dressed up and go to dances I would have gone to more BUT that was the era of the date and since Tommo lived rather far away and couldn't always make if for the dances some had to be sat out!! YOur daughter is a beautiful young woman. And I love the dogs taste in hats!!! Hope you continue to feel better

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to hear you have been ill; I thought it was raining babies, and you were just busy! Your daughter is a beautiful young woman. What a special time for the both of you.

junior_goddess said...

I have the same cold. Do you think we got it yarn shopping?

Now that you've teased us, tell us the rest of the Native boy's story.

B

CatBookMom said...

I send sympathy for the cold; it's miserable trying to get things done when all you want to do is lie somewhere and have cups of tea and meds brought to you. I get a lot of relief from the Traditional Medicinal teas, Gypsy Cold Care, Throat Coat (this is awesome) and Breathe Easy. If you can find them, do give them a try.

Your DD looks so pretty in her special dress. Blessings on you and DH for having given her some lessons and the love to help her be open to new experiences, and be willing to share them with you.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you've been very busy, even with that superflu! Your Christmas pictures made me think of "White Gift" Sundays from when I was a kid. Our gifts went to reserves up North, I like to think they were given out the same way - encompassing both traditions :) Your daughter looks lovely, glad she had a good time - it seems like just yesterday it was my DD...