without the community, the individual is left without a place where he can contribute.
the community is that grounding place where people come and share their gifts
and receive them from others.
and receive them from others.
- sobonfu some
ginny, our hostess and creator of yarn along, also used this word community, when she described knitting her pockets for africa. i will try to say what it means to me, the response these small knitted pouches have had. at first, the knitting was the thing. but as the mails and messages began to arrive, it became clear that it is the caring for others, the thoughts, and wishes and love that are the soul of this project.
the one rule i had for myself when i began blogging almost four years ago, was to have a place that was one of inclusion. a place where anyone would feel welcome, regardless.
i feel i've made some to feel left out, but please know that your messages of community and friendship and love will be going with me to africa. it doesn't matter if you've made a pocket, made something to go inside, or made good wishes, they all matter so very much. i've been reading this book, origins -african wisdom for every day, by danielle and olivier follmi. it was in here that i found the quote by sobonfu some, it's a beautiful book with stunning photos, wise sayings and proverbs.
if you'd like to, please add your name below. i've added a link thing, it was mentioned to me that i might do this. i know i would love to have a place where i could follow every link to your pockets for africa. i'm thinking on how this can best be shared, i'm hoping for photos and well, we'll see, i have so many ideas! and you don't have to leave a comment, mr. linky made me say that. :)
thank you so much everyone. love, lori
if you'd like to, please add your name below. i've added a link thing, it was mentioned to me that i might do this. i know i would love to have a place where i could follow every link to your pockets for africa. i'm thinking on how this can best be shared, i'm hoping for photos and well, we'll see, i have so many ideas! and you don't have to leave a comment, mr. linky made me say that. :)
thank you so much everyone. love, lori
Lori, this is all so wonderful! I would love to make some but I am sure by the time they reach you from South Africa you will probably be in Africa already. I send my love...
ReplyDeletexo
Linda
they're so beautiful - real little jewels! You must be just so excited to deliver them to new friends soon.
ReplyDeletethank you lori for letting me send along a pocket full of love and wishes for friends I've not met..but friends just the same.
ReplyDeleteI do hope there's time to arrive before you leave...safe travels.
Thank you for inviting us to participate in whatever way we can! I hope I'm
ReplyDeleteable to send you at least one pocket in time!
Lori, I didn't take a picture before I sent off my packet on Monday, and I just found this morning the note that was supposed to be in it...So, in a little while you will be getting a packet with 6 pouches, no letter, no note, nothing. Silly me. I want to thank you for giving us all an opportunity to participate along with you. I think it opened up a lot of doors for future community projects. Such a small thing, a pocket, but I think it changed my attitude overnight. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteno worries natalie. i love what you've said. and thank you for telling me now i'll know it's you :)
DeleteHow absolutely wonderful... wish I had found out about this earlier.
ReplyDeleteI wish you all good wishes.x
Thanks for telling us about it so that we can participate! I hope to get my package in the mail today.
ReplyDeleteI am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything,
ReplyDeletebut I can do something.
And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do
Edward Everett Hale
lori, a couple of years ago many of us contributed to a christmas treasure chest for renee. she would die three months later but not before she and and her family unwrapped gift after gift: handmade and hand painted and heart filled gifts , one atop another. i think there were 75 or more. i packed that treasure chest with such love and honor. And i--i got the chance to witness all those gifts arriving, one by one, at my kitchen stoop. you knitted slippers. i knew those warm slippers and all that community was going to spill out and over when renee opened that chest.
i am so glad you are now experiencing this kind of powerful force too. what you have allowed to manifest bridges and connects our humanity. i will never forget what it felt like to be part of that and i'm so glad to know you will not either.
i remember kj, thank you so much.
Deletep.s. how silly of me to fail to acknowledge all the names and gifts from the heart that mr. linky will collect: every single person is now stitched into the diverse fabric you will carry and give, on behalf of all
ReplyDeleteit's a good day, lori sf.
♥
I am so happy that you are receiving so many pockets! I know everyone is going to love them. I am sending good wishes to you and your pocketeers :)
ReplyDeletelove seeing all of these pockets and discovering how amazing this community is!
ReplyDeleteHad to come back...I am seeing pockets everywhere today. Will you give us the final count before you leave...I am so curious how many come out in the end.
ReplyDeleteabsolutly natalie, and i'll take photos too!
DeleteLook at those pockets!
ReplyDeleteSo much love.
xx
julie
The pockets are so colourful and beautiful...how did I miss that you were collecting them? I would like to make some, too!!! ♥
ReplyDeleteTHey are so cute...can't wait to see the pics of you handing them out!
ReplyDeleteOh, this has turned into such a wonderful project!!! We all feel we're "going with you"!!! Can't wait to see the pictures.
ReplyDeleteLori, what a WONDERFUL project. Wow. I LOVE LOVE this and your photography is simply DIVINE!!
ReplyDeleteSending you lots love and hugs. :)
I love this Lori. Sorry it took me so long to comment, Mike and I both have the same bug the fourteen year old had...it's not been a good day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous response you have received!
ReplyDeleteWell done, such a really lovely idea, and a beautiful quote. Lots of light and energy to you in the coming weeks as you prepare to head to Africa XXX
ReplyDeleteooh i want to make one! is it too late for me? i will try... these are such beautiful posts lori. blue hill farms is so close and i never knew about it! what a wonderful little place. i want to go. i am going to work up at least one pocket. see how far i can get.
ReplyDeletei emailed you sweetie! and next time they have a farm day, we'll go (it's on the way to ojai).
DeleteI am so glad you mentioned this. It was so nice to do a little bit for others.
ReplyDeleteI <3 our knitting community!
ReplyDeleteThank you , thank you Lori!!! I am so glad you gave us a chance. They look so lovely...
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful response. Hugs Lori. I hope your trip is amazing.
ReplyDeleteLori, you're so sweet & kind! I know everyone you meet on your trip will be touched by your caring heart!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
G
I cannot even imagine how wonderful it will to deliver these in person...amazing!!
ReplyDeleteI must have been on the moon, because I just found out about this yesterday. It is one amazing blogging community isn't it?
Sending you good wishes for an amazing trip, I am sure the pockets will be well received and treasured for a long time to come.
I'm just getting caught up. What a beautiful thing you are doing and an amazing knitting community to support you. I can't wait to hear about your trip.
ReplyDeleteI have loved seeing the pockets popping up around the blogging world. they are so sweet and I am sure the recipients will be delighted. What a beautiful thing to do. Jacinta
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful idea you had and shared Lori. And an amazing response from the knitting community. Can't wait to see the pictures of the people who will receive these hand/heart made gifts.
ReplyDeletelovely lady, you are such a blessing to everyone! I imagine that you are so well loved in Africa and those gifts will give the recipients something to remember you by. :O)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that so many Yarn Alongers have jumped into this project! What a blessing to the children of Africa. Have a wonderful and blessed trip Lori.
ReplyDeleteooh lovely assortment...the kiddies will be so happy...
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful. I love your photography Lori, so bright and inspiring. I'm shipping mine tomorrow, so excited. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad so many people have knit the little pouches. I'm afraid I didn't get any made in time to send to you before your trip! But I'll be following your journey through your blog!
ReplyDeleteHello Sweet Lori~
ReplyDeleteI cantmake these as I still havent figured knitting & crochet out... BUT I am sending prayers & love! Have a beautiful trip! Be Safe & enjoy!
So lovely, I'm so glad you got such a wonderful collection.
ReplyDeleteWe used the quote above in a reading at the start of a meeting in Camphill I used to chair, so lovely to read the familiar words..
Lori, This is so wonderful. I would love to know where they all end up. How fun!Have a most wonderful trip! I will miss you. Love you. xoxo
ReplyDeleteYay for pockets! I love that you created a place for us all to put our links together. I am working on pockets for Larkspur and Beatrix today, and yours are on their way to you!!
ReplyDeleteLove,Ginny
so many beautiful little pockets to take with you ♥
ReplyDeletewhat a blessing to be able to share ~ Thank you xo
This is all so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your friends in faraway places much love on the journey.
xo
What a great heart you have, dear Lori. Wishing you all the good things and positive thoughts , I already miss you here!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to everyone you meet in Africa,
xo
Mina
Oh my. how wonderful all of this is!! I love the pockets surrounding that beautiful African woman.
ReplyDeleteI have a similar book called "Offerings: Buddhist wisdom for every day." I keep a set of mala beads on the pages to keep it opened to the daily quote.
I see pendants from Annie :) That's so sweet!
You are going to have an amazing time. I'm so happy for you!
xo
Lo♥
I absolutely love that first photo with the pockets hanging from a branch. Beautiful! I'm visiting all those who have contributed to such a wonderful cause. Blessings to you and yours, Tammy
ReplyDeleteOh my, wonderful ! I so wish I could've sewn some or crocheted some (as you know I struggle with knitting!) but they probably wouldn't have reached you from france........boo. Isn't the blogging world great? xxx
ReplyDeleteWow! That is fifty kinds of beautiful. :)
ReplyDeleteAww, Lori! So heartwarming! This really does feel like a loving and sharing community, what you've got going here. And those pockets are absolutely delightful. They remind me of tiny mittens in a kindergarten. :) Your pockets are filled to the brim with love.
ReplyDeleteLori- I emailed you on Friday but didn't hear back. When do you leave? Is it too late to send some pockets? I can get them in the mail tomorrow but don't know how fast they would need to be shipped or if it is just too late. Thanks! -Angelica
ReplyDeleteAngelica, I am so sorry, I must have missed it, I've just emailed you, please let me know you got it? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI got it! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteHi Lori - I was sorry I didn't have time enough to send you a pocket with some sea glass from our shore. I am sending my love and blessings to you to take with you. I have experienced the love of the blog community with the blanket squares too. It is so wonderful to see how community is such a strong instinct in us xxx
ReplyDelete