I always love this time of year, the 3rd weekend in March! For me & about 60 women that live in the area…each year for the last 20+ years, we have gathered in Gretna, NE for our annual stitching retreat. No kids, husbands, cooking or cleaning…just stitching, laughing, and catching up with friends!
I started going when my kids were yet babes & I wouldn’t miss it for the world! It’s my own little St. Patrick’s celebration since it often falls right on the date! So celebrate a little and stitch up my complimentary design, “Paddy Pocket”. Who knows, maybe you will find a gold coin or two inside yours!
Click here to get a printable version: Paddy Pocket
Before I close, I want to share something very momentous that happened to my family yesterday. My oldest child moved out of the house. Now before anyone says, “well, that happens all the time”…I want to share why that was such a huge move for all of us concerned.
Billy, my oldest – now 19, almost 20, was born with an intellectual disablity (ID – or the current politically correct term for the “r” word). Billy has certainly taught me that life really is a journey, one that never ends until, well, it ends. As with most kids, his Dad & I have worried, cried, feared, prayed, and ultimately done our best to get the world ready for him.
We knew that he would eventually move out, after all, we were the ones to put the wheels in motion towards his independence. The news came very quickly that a spot (not just any spot…but the perfect spot) had become available and could we make the move in less than 2 weeks? Physically yes…emotionally…well…
I am of course, extremely proud of him. He has grown up in a world where people throw around the “r” word to refer to something as “stupid”. Billy is far from stupid. He not only functions, but thrives in a world he does not always understand and that certainly doesn’t always understand him. For that, he has more than my pride, he has my respect.
Thanks for letting me share this with you. My friends tell me I will be all ready for margarita’s on the deck after we get my youngest of to college next fall!
Happy Stitches,
Cathy
Awesome post…oh, and a cute finish, also! 😉
Congratulations to Billy! And the Paddy Pocket is cute, too. 😛 (But it IS kind of overshadowed by your Big News!)
Congrats to Billy!
What an accomplishment! Good luck to him!
Thank you for the cute design, but I am having a problem downloading it. I keep getting a facebook flag, but I do not have facebook. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Marilyn
Thank you for the Paddy Pocket; it is very cute. But that's not why I want to write a thank you. Thank you for sharing Billy and his story. My prayers and best wishes go with all of you. I know how hard it is to let two daughters leave the nest without the extra problem of finding a perfect place because the child had an "IR." They call these children "special" but the special ones are the parents who raise them with wings and then let them fly. I salute you. Bless all of you. Hugs and happy stitching, Lynn
Thank you for the neat chart for the pocket.
I have a 15 year old grandson with aspergers and we often wonder if he will ever be able to be out on his own. He too is smart as a whip. Loves science and history. We just can't imagine him in his own apartment or taking care of himself on a day to day basis.
You must be so very proud of Billy. I certainly am. Just look at that smile. God bless him and I do pray that he continues to do well.
By the way…..Do the margarita now to celebrate Billy's strength. The journey is a tough one for these wonderful kids. My love to you both.
LindaLee from
CrossN' My Stitches
Marilyn, I don't know why that is happening, hmmm… Did you click on the link within the post? If that does not work, please email me at handsondesign@ymail.com. Cathy
Congrats to Billy!!! And congrats to mom and dad for making it through the moving process!! People can be so rude and crude and it just grates on my every nerve. I'm sure he will do WONDERFULLY in his new home.
The pattern is very nice……yet another I'm going to have to try and find time to stitch. *sigh*
Congrats and best wishes for Billy! Thank you for sharing his & your story. He has a special set of parents that have taken great care to get him this far. Bless you and Billy.
I took your advice. We went out for dinner tonight and I had that margarita!
A momentous day! No matter if it "happens all the time," it's not, when it happens to you.
Thanks for the freebie too!
How precious. Congrats to all of you!