When we've had a loss, we all find different ways of healing.  The past month has been exceptionally difficult for me since the loss of my son, Shawn.  But I have been fortunate to find moments of healing that have brought me great comfort and helped to ease my loss.  One of those ways came from you......my devoted and loyal friends and fans.  Some of you I hadn't heard from in years, some of you I never met and some have been with me constantly. Daily phone calls from my best friend and personal assistant, Alice, got me over some humps.  A phone call from my dear friend, Naomi, in Los Angeles warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face.  Yes.....I've had a terrible loss, but I've come to realize even more how blessed I am. 

I have returned to working on book 4 and have been able to gain a huge amount of comfort from my writing.  Last week I was in Tuscaloosa doing a previously confirmed book signing at Serendipity Needleworks.  I had been there only once last year,  but have stayed in touch with all of my fans via Facebook, emails, etc.  So when I walked in, believe me I felt another huge surge of comfort.  I was warmly greeted, hugged and welcomed by the ladies at that shop.  Thank you to all of you for a successful signing, but even more important, thank you for the comfort I felt while I was there.  A very special thank you to Ellen (the owner of the shop) Dolores and Lois.  You guys are just the best!

Bottom left to right:  Dolores, Lois and Marilyn.  Back row:  Ellen and me

Tuscaloosa had its own sorrow last April when the devastating tornado struck their town.  Seeing the damage on the news was one thing.  To see it in person broke my heart.  I was amazed at the amount of houses gone, stores, neighborhoods..........all flattened and gone.  An elementary school is also totally gone and the students are now attending classes at a magnet school.  It was the school that Ellen and her husband had attended as children and she came up with the idea of knitting hats for all the first graders to give them at Christmas.  What a wonderful community effort and here's Lois working on one of those hats.

Serendipity is not only a yarn shop, but also carries a large amount of needlepoint supplies.  I happened to notice that Dolores was working on a beautiful Christmas ornament to give her daughter.  I had done needlepoint years ago, but then switched to counted cross stitch, which I ended up doing for almost twenty years.  Then I rediscovered knitting about eight years ago.  However, I've discovered that since my loss of Shawn,  I can't seem to focus on my lace patterns.  So I've been working on a sweater/jacket that I had started a few years ago.  It's simple knit and purl and I find it easy to do. 

But I glanced at Dolores' piece and all of a sudden I had an urge to have a tapestry needle in my hand.  Long story short.........After many years, I am now back to doing needlepoint.  I chose (of course) a beautiful butterfly pattern.  Another huge thank you to Ellen, Dolores and Lois..........they got my project together for me, chose my pearl cottons that I needed, put my frame together, got my needlepoint attached to it and Dolores spent time refreshing my memory on how to do the stitches.  Here's Dolores getting it together for me...........and look at her beautiful piece on the right.

So I've been busy working away the past few days on my butterfly.  I find it peaceful, soothing, relaxing and most of all........I find it to be a form of therapy that I need at this precise time in my life.  Yes, I'm still knitting on my sweater, but I find needlepoint to be a wonderful break from knitting.

And like Lois said, if I'm going to do it, I may as well do it right.  So I bought the wooden stand which holds my frame and allows me to hold it in my lap and stitch while watching TV or even riding in the car.  I also got the magnified lens (a huge plus) and the light, both of which clip onto my frame.

So yes, we all grieve and heal in different ways.  But I've been ever so fortunate to be surrounded by people that were supposed to cross my path and attempt to make this time for me just a little bit easier.  I hope all of you know who you are, and I hope even more that you're aware of how much all of it has meant to me. 

By the way, I'll be back at Serendipity Needleworks in early December for a signing for book 3, Sunrise On Cedar Key........so if you live in the Tuscaloosa area, I hope to see you there.  Check my author website as the date gets closer for details.

Enjoy your moments and I'll see you here next time....................