Remember, Part 2

Do you remember this? I have had this name stitched for a while now. But I have been putting off this post because I knew there was no way I could adequately express how I feel about this. I am grateful to have been a part of this project and I look forward to carrying the tote when it is my turn. I hope it will give me a chance to tell people about Alicia.

Alicia A. Birchett

She was my same age.

She died on my anniversary.

She left three sons and a husband.

She joined the military so she could see the world and contribute.

She died from injuries sustained when the brakes failed while she changed a tire on a truck.

I wish she were still here.

While searching for information about Alicia, I came across a page that listed pictures and names of the one hundred and forty-one men and women my age who have died in this war. This war that never should have happened. I weep for them. I still have so much life ahead of me and while I am grateful for these men and women who have sacrificed, I can't help thinking that they should all still have so much life ahead of them too.

All Different Sorts of Things

First off, I forgot to include this in my "Lucky Girl" post. And it certainly makes me a lucky girl - it is the bag of goodies I got from Rebecca for winning third prize in the Sweet Goodness Swaps Container Contest. Wow! There were so many great containers and I was honored to win. I am so excited by this little pack of fun that arrived while I was on my blogging break. Included was a dish towel, vintage pillow case (may just have to make me my own bag with the pillowcase), an orange potholder (crocheted by Rebecca), and a bag of trims and buttons. Thanks to Rebecca for the goodies and to the ladies of Sweet Goodness Swaps! Have you signed up for the Holiday Mini-Swaps? Sounds like so much fun to spread the goodness throughout the season!

Second, a work in progress for another swap - the Embroidered Button swap. I guess I'm going for a "Five a Day" theme here. I sat down on Sunday night with a little Netflix (Veronica Mars Season 1) and got going on these. They are so much fun! I got a little inspiration from this pic and did a pineapple and watermelon, but then I just went for it with the strawberry, carrot, and broccoli. Now I just have to find the big shank buttons I bought at the thrift store so I can finish these up.

And lastly, I finally did it - I finally signed up for the Pay it Forward crafting gift fun. After having several opportunities to join in the fun, I finally did it and signed up to have Missy send me a handcrafted gift sometime in the next year. So, part of this means that I have to Pay it Forward and send something out to three of you. So, I will send a handmade gift to the first three (3) people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don't know what that gift (although I have some ideas) will be yet, but you will receive it within 365 days. The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. So, if you've resisted joining in or haven't heard of this yet, join in the fun - I'd love to send you something!

Remember

I wanted to post this yesterday as it seemed fitting for the day, but I didn't find the time until today. I remember six years ago on September 11th - I got up early (we were living on the west coast - it was 6 am or so) to take a walk before work, something I had not done in a while. I loved to listen to NPR while I walked and so I turned on my radio and listened. Then all of sudden, the programming went out and a few minutes later the report about the plane hitting the first tower came in. I thought it was a joke - but who would joke about such a thing? The more I listened to the reporters repeat the same information, it began to register. I went home and turned on the the television - just in time to see the second plane hit the tower. I couldn't believe it still. Ryan came home from his run and then we watched to replay and then we went to work together. That day was surreal. There were such varying reactions from my co-workers- anger, sympathy, depression, seeming ambivalence (although I don't think it was real - who could not care on a day like that day?). I went home for lunch, turned on the television and sobbed as I watched again what had happened in New York and heard about Pennsylvania and the Pentagon. That day, I wanted to do something to help, but I didn't know what to do. I often remember this day and I still want to do something, but often lack the initiative or organization. Does anyone else feel like this? What do you do to feel like you are contributing in some positive way? I did find a small thing I could do.

Have you heard of the Mother's Day Project? Basically, Anne Landre is organizing a project where the names of fallen female soldiers are embroidered on muslin (by volunteers - this is where you and I come in) and then she will take these names and make them into a tote. The tote will then be passed through the participants, each to use it for a week or so, taking it to the grocery store, to church, the library and hopefully giving them the opportunity to share about the project. I first heard about this project on one my favorite podcasts, Craftsanity, a couple of weeks ago. Immediately, I knew I wanted to be part of it.
So, here is my name....Alicia A. Birchett. I haven't found out anything about her yet, but I plan to and I'll share when I do. I believe Anne is still looking for volunteer stitchers, no experience needed, so go on over to her blog and volunteer, if you feel so inclined.