To my Grandma C...

When I was around 8-10 years old, my grandmother taught me how to knit.  To this day, I can still picture in my mind the first item I ever made - a small, maroon "bag" that had many holes in it from where I dropped stitches.  

Over the years, my knitting skills improved, though the difficulty level of projects remained stagnate.  Let's just say, I made quite a few scarves over the next decade...  Red scarves, blue scarves, k1 p1 scarves, scarves with ribbing, scarves with fringe (this is starting to sound like a Dr. Seuss book!).  

Finally, two years ago I decided to try something a little more difficult.  I googled for knitting patterns and finally picked one titled "Nob Hill" (named after a neighborhood in San Francisco).  I invested in the appropriate sized knitting needles, 6 skeins of high quality yarn, a set of tapestry needles, and a crochet hook, and set to work.

After a few months, I completed approximately 90% of the pattern - everything except the collar.  But life happened and I set the project aside for awhile under my bed.

Well, you know what happens to things that are put aside under beds... 

It took over a year and several changes of address before I finally pulled out the 9/10th finished sweater and decided to complete it.  That was 2 days ago.

And now...

Drum roll please...

The sweater is complete!!

Grandma,

Thank you for teaching me to knit!!  Without you, I wouldn't have ever been able to make my own sweater or prove that sometimes an unfinished, seemingly forgotten, long lost project can be completed.

I have much more to thank you for, but I'll save that for a later date.

Much love,
Your Granddaughter

To ?...

Isn't it amazing how there are times in life when you can look ahead and say "Three days from now, I'm going to know how to do ______"?  When you actually are able to recognize that in the near future you will acquire new knowledge or a new skill?

Tomorrow (and Wednesday and Thursday), I am attending a training to be a facilitator of Roots of Empathy.  An amazing program that seeks to increase empathy and decrease aggressive behaviors in school children.  What astounds me is how I can sit here and say:  In exactly three days, I'll know how to teach these children this incredible curriculum.  I will be able to impart to them this knowledge of which I was previously unaware.

In essence: I can predict the future.

Cool.

Dear ? (because I'm not exactly sure who would take credit for this... do you?)

Thank you for enabling me to be a life long student.  I appreciate that though I have a 40+ hour a week job (and one I love at that), I am able to keep my appetite for new knowledge and skills.

I am incredibly thankful to continue to have opportunities to better myself and I hope I will always yearn for more.

Sincerely,
A lover of learning.

To my adorable godson...

Dear Seamus,

Today I spent a wonderful few hours with you and your lovely mama. You were as cute as a button, crawling and drooling all over the place. It's pretty amazing what a speedy cruiser you've become!

Whenever I'm around babies, I always feel a sense of peacefulness - I truly believe in "baby therapy." And being around you has that exact affect on me.

So, Seamus, thank you for reminding me of the power of babies. Whenever your Auntie Suz is having a rough day, it only takes a beautiful smile from you or a slobbery "kiss" to make it all better.

Love you, baby!

Hugs and kisses,
Your favorite aunt.