Sewing Sunsets

I love sunsets! The colors are just beautiful and there is something peaceful about watching the sunset in the evening sky.  When I see a sunset, I often think that they can signal endings and also new beginnings.  A beautiful sunset signals the end of a day, but it also indicates the beginning of night time, which is the time when most of us get rest in order to be refreshed for the new beginning of the next day.

When I think of the cycle of life, I often think about sunrises and sunsets.  The sunrises of our lives are when we just arrive on earth and have  a beginning with no past history.  The sunset of our lives is when we are almost at the end of our journey here, and all of us will face a final sunset of life.  For some of us that will be peaceful, but for others, there may be many days filled with physical pain or discomfort, or the brain may be diseased while the body still functions. 

Not only are these final sunset days  often painful for the person experiencing it, it’s also very difficult for friends and family who surround them during that time.  That’s why it’s so wonderful when there are folks there who can help add some laughter and comfort to these final sunset days. 

As you know, I always encourage readers of this blog to share their talents and skills with others, and today’s post is about sewing for others, and in this case, almost literally sewing a sunset by volunteering to sew for people who are experiencing those final sunset days of life.

A couple of days ago, I received a request from someone who manages volunteers for a hospice in Mississippi.  She was looking for volunteers to sew for her hospice patients and was asking me for resources.  I will be sewing for this hospice, Odyssey Healthcare (www.odsyhealth.com ) as well as continuing to sew for Mission of Hope (www.missionofhope.org ).   I would like to encourage you to sew simple projects for this hospice, or perhaps one like it in your area.  Although my dad was never put on hospice care before he died, I had the opportunity to watch the hospice staff as they visited other patients in the nursing home, and I was always impressed with their unique ability to bring smiles to people who were in situations where all they wanted to do was cry.  I think that people who are directly involved in hospice work must be very special people indeed.

Anyone who sews, knits, crochets, or quilts can volunteer to donate simple projects.  Blankets, pillows, pillowcases, adult bibs, crafts, and quilts are all acceptable.  Apparently, there are no restrictions and any donations will be used, with nothing going to waste. 

If you should decide to volunteer to sew, knit, quilt, or crochet for this worthy cause, here is the contact information

TClark@odsyhealth.com  or 228-297-5976

(I would suggest that initial contact be made via e-mail or phone because there are a few guidelines that must be followed.)

The mailing address is : Tiffany Clark, Manager of Volunteer Services, Odyssey Healthcare, 9414 Three Rivers Road, Suite 3, Gulfport, MS 39503

I hope that some of the readers of this blog will consider sharing sewing, quilting, crocheting, or knitting skills, even if it’s just one time.  You might play a small part in making someone’s final sunset just a little bit easier, and after they have passed through that final sunset, the blanket or pillow that you made might bring some comfort to the family left behind.  At first, they might see through tears, but eventually, they will be able to look at a project that someone sewed or quilted, and remember happier times with their loved ones. The tears may still come, but with each passing day, it may become just a little bit easier to smile through those tears.  Wouldn’t it be a great feeling to know that perhaps by creating just one simple project, you might play a part in bringing a small measure of comfort to someone?

Today, I hope to sew. 

Happy Sewing!

www.sewseamless.com