Monday, June 23, 2014

Crochet Health Benefits

I've always been one to distract myself.  Tyler laughs at me.  When life gets too stressful, I play meaningless iPhone games.  

Oh, and I also crochet.  I've been crocheting almost daily since the day my Dad passed away.  It's been a way for me to channel my grief (and maybe something deeper-I can't really put my finger on it). In fact, the night (morning) he passed away, I stayed up late working on an ear warmer. The one I'm wearing in that picture  I sometimes feel like this was one of the last pictures of me with a real smile. After Dad passed, my smile is dimmed.  At least, I feel like it is.

I saw this great article with a link to a Crochet Health Survey (which I took).  I believe in the power of art to heal.  Music.  Dance. Fine Art.  Crafts.  These are tools we can use to heal both physical and mental pain.  I've seen it in my Gramma, who suffered a brain aneurysm several years ago and can still crochet, knit, write and remember all her grand kids names!!!  And crochet has helped me channel, distract, and heal.  And it still does.  I often feel that if I stop crocheting I'll loose my Dad forever.  It connects me to his last day and that's really important to me.  

Do you know anyone who crochets or knits for mental health?  Share this survey with them, or just share it with friends.


Thursday, June 5, 2014

Father's Day/Showtime

Father's Day is a great day.  I think dads are WAY TOO OFTEN overlooked in favour of mum.  Don't get it twisted, mums are great, but I think Dad's don't get enough credit.  There are some amazing Dads out there.  

But for me Father's Day is tough.  Since losing my Dad in 2011 Father's Day is a giant reminder that I have to celebrate in a different way.  In fact my sister and I nicknamed Father's Day "Sister's Day".  Luckily I am usually so busy on Father's Day weekend that I don't have much time to be sad.  This year I have my dance studio's year end shows that weekend.  But that raises a lot of other emotions.  My Dad was my Stage Dad.  I miss that he's not physically there in the audience, watching my dances, cheering for my students, congratulating me on my good numbers.  I mean I know he's cheering for me, just not in the same way.  


This year I created a lyrical number to Passenger's "Let Her Go" with my Dad in mind.  For me, the song is about loss. I don't really believe that you should have to/want to give something up that you love.  But there's a moment in the grief process where you have to let go, and for me that's what the song is for me.  I know Dad will be watching my dances this weekend.  And I really hope he likes his dance.  I love you Dad; Happy Father's Day.