Happy New Year 1434

I'm feeling blue. The Seashell Dress is almost finishing and I suppose that explains the feeling blue. Like all journey that begins it also ends. Personally, I love happy endings. But if life ends all the time with a happy ending it's almost magical.

I have worked on the back left and right opening. The buttons will be sewn here.

Tomorrow marks another end of a journey. It's the end of the year 1433. Twelve months ago I was in Mecca enjoying my hajj with my husband. We were oblivious to what was going on around the world but everyone was certainly talking about Syria.

A lot had happened since up to today. Major events in my life would certainly be my hajj, kids got very sick while we were away, I started crochet-ing for Fabric & Yarn hence writing on this blog, my daughter's first experience sitting for entrance exam (twice!), I took the kids to Jakarta - their first flight experience. Many more events big and small that I do not wish to publish because it means I have to take that walk down on memory lane. Feeling nostalgia I do not want. But I am blue.

Since a lot had happened I'm not sure if I am ready to face another day let alone another year. Will I still be feeling blue tomorrow? Another colour perhaps? Like my Seashell Dress project that is coming to an end, I am planning another project. I bet all crafters feel the same. You cannot stop when a project ends. You want to do more. I am already looking at my yarn stash. Going through my pattern books and crochet magazines. What next? Should I embark on a simple or challanging, big or small project? Maybe a skirt. Still thinking....

The end of a year also prepares my brain on my next life project. Yes, daughter will commence her primary school, son will embark on his preschool. But I? What lies ahead for me? New career? A makeover? I can't tell. I know my family will start new journeys for the new year but not mine. I have a feeling my journey will be stagnant. Watching other people take their journey and watch their lives change. Is this something possible to do? Only time will tell.

Crochet in High Spirit

I just came home from visiting my in-laws in Johor Bharu. I actually drove there..... well half-way that is. I persuaded my sister-in-law to tag along and she drove the other half way. Personally, I didn't think that I can stand driving for 4-5 hours.

My mother in-law (MIL) was diagnosed with dengue last Tuesday. This is her second infection in three years! I have to say her body may be weak but her spirit was high. She was happy to see us and surprised that we actually drove all the way just for her. It was a booster and I was thrilled that I had a small contribution to this high spirit of hers.

I don't usually visit any sick relatives. I wouldn't know what to say. Wouldn't know what to do. But when I heard my MIL was sick, I just had to see her. My father in-law wouldn't know what to do either. There were no other relatives to help them. I just had to see her.

Sometimes your presence is enough to lift a sick person's spirit. Don't have to say or do anything. We talked about everything under the sun. Her worries and her joy. Of course she had to talk about her grandchildren. They are a part of her. But not once did we talked about her aches and pains, discomfort or complains about being in the hospital. It fact she was a very good patient.

That's the beauty of my MIL. Her iman is her strength. Her focus is on making ibadah for Him. Hence she is always in high spirits because she embraces what's being given to her by Him. The good, the bad and the ugly! And she waits for her time to meet Him.

As she was talking, I was crocheting. The dress is coming out good. I'm so thankful. After 14 1/2 inches from begining, the pattern decreases. How interesting it was by just reducing the double crochet and chain, the dress tapered to form the waist. Easy instruction. Thank you Elissa Sugishita for this pattern. It didn't take long for me to form the divide and shaping for front and back. I should be finishing soon.

There was a slight nagging feeling about leaving my MIL alone in the hospital. But she was in good hands. In fact she would rather be in the hospital than at home. As I huged her, the thought of not seeing her crept in my mind. But the thing about being around someone in high spirit is that it's contagious. Soon I was overwhelmed with this sensation. Yes, the nurses will take care of her. Her doctor will monitor her progress. But most importantly, He'll look after her because she is always thinking of him. Every breath, every heart beat and every moment.