Ripples

Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” – Dalai Lama

In a recent post I shared how a girlfriend, along with many other volunteers, helped our wildlife after the 2020 bushfires by knitting and sewing temporary homes for our creatures until the shrubs and trees regrew to a state that enabled them to provide adequate shelter and food. See Tippy and Jellybean.

I failed Home Economics at High School and the antique Singer sewing machine, in fine working order, that was gifted to me by my mother was put to use as a garden ornament, though I did finance a couple of balls of bamboo wool for the cause.

Yesterday, I purchased a Date and Walnut Roll from a street corner stall run by volunteers from the local Cancer Council. Staffed by no-one under the age of 75 years (a conservative estimate) the cake cook admitted that she was “tired” having cooked some 300 cakes throughout the year to raise funds for Cancer patients with hands-on assistance programs. They also sew children’s clothing; another Christmas present for the Little Person. Yay!

A craft minded girlfriend sent information this week about a group she recently joined called Capes4Kids that sew super hero capes for kiddies undergoing major treatment in hospital. Yet another in downsizing mode gave me a bag of material which I passed on to a local group of retired women who sew new pyjamas for kiddies being removed from their homes for safety reasons by Community Services.

Lismore, in the Northern Rivers district of New South Wales, gained international media attention earlier this year after it literally drowned under flood waters. A few months later  Lismore went under again and to this day there remains much speculation as to whether to rebuild or not. It remains a regional city fighting for its survival with many residents left with nothing. Whilst Governments organise financial assistance packages another friend with a creative bent shares that she joined a movement, Hearts For Lismore,  to remind Lismore residents that Australians across the nation had their backs by sending ” hearts of love and hope”. Many residences have painted hearts, fabric hearts, or even mosaic hearts courtesy of my friend, displayed proudly on what is left of their properties.

https://www.facebook.com/heartsforlismore/

” I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa

With the Christmas Season hot on our heels I will be busy preparing meals to feed an army as well as reflecting on the little ripples that made up this year and pondering what mischief I can get myself into during the coming year. I wish you all a peaceful and safe holiday period, full of laughter and good books, and hope we all throw a pebble or two into the waters in 2023.

Love this! Sand bags put to good use after the recent floods on the Victorian border.