Creating, crafting, calm

For me, one of the important Cs in my life is creating. Growing up, there were always crafts around my house. My mom was my Girl Scout leader and there were the requisite bins of glue and paint and craft sticks. We had stashes of yarn and paper and empty cans or jars. It was nothing for us to have the kitchen table covered with whatever project we had going on.  By the time I was 10, I was taking a sewing class and since then I've made everything from casual clothes to prom dresses to Halloween costumes. And, learning new crafts and the creative opportunities they gave me continued into adulthood. I was taught to cross stitch by a guy named Bobby who lived in my form in college. I was taught to crochet when I agreed to let a friend who was grieving the loss of a child teach me. Who knew I would grow to love both crafts so much? I've taught myself to knit, do hardanger, and quilt.

My love and passion for crafting and creating has been a life saver. My love of cross stitching introduced me to one of the most wonderful group of women I have ever know. These women were my rock and my support when my husband and I were battling secondary infertility. Crafting and creating is also the best mental health therapy I could ever find. When I am designing or creating, my mind can't focus on the stresses of everyday life or the occasional major disaster. Watching a design evolve, watching the beauty emerge brings a type of pleasure I can't even explain. And, I feel such joy when I can create something for someone else.

I long ago decided that my kids benefit far more from a mom who is calm and centered than a perfectly organized house. So, housework isn't always my priority. Sometimes, the den/playroom looks like a tornado struck but, my mental health is secure thanks to my creating.