Sentimental Sparrow ...

I wrote my very first blog post in September of 2006 at the original Posted-from-Home.

{sadly, I ran out of photo space and had to create a new blog,  ... deb-posted-from-home}

I had only just discovered blogs (quite by accident) a few months prior & once I did, it opened up a whole new world to me!  On my weekly chat to my oldest &dearest friend Chris (friends since we were babies in England), we decided that we would both start up blogs on the same day ~ it would be a great way to see photos of each others gardens and life in our little corner of the world. I had no idea at the time, that Blogging would become so much more!

Since 2006, I wondered when (if ever) I would write my "Sentimental Sparrow" story.   I knew I wanted my little on-line spot to be a happy place to visit ... wanting anyone who spent their precious time here to leave feeling happy ~ the way I did when I stopped by my favourite blog reads.

I have sat, so many times, and typed out this story ... only to press delete, and go on to write about something happier :-)

It's Blogging that I have to thank for picking up Crafts again.  Crafts that I adored and that filled my days from the time I was a child. 

It's because of Blogging that I began crafting again ... bit by bit ...

drawing, painting, sewing, crocheting,  knitting...

and cooking... and baking ... walking with my camera, taking pictures ...

 resuming life.

With each blog I read, I was filled with such inspiration.

It's because of Blogging, that I began to submit my Art work ...

and was humbled by the response

and blessed to have it Published

by publications that are respected and known world-wide.

So when in the Summer 2012 issue of Belle Armoire, I read of a Challenge to pick a Symbol that was personally Sentimental  & create a piece of clothing or accessory that honours the Symbol, I really took it to heart.  This was the time to tell my Story.  I had only been waiting for the right moment.

 Any one who stops by my little on-line spot knows that I love Sparrows and that

we lovingly call our garden Sparrows Garden due to the fact that the majority of the birds that visit the many suet baskets and bird feeders are Sparrows.  Tiny little brown birds, who, by most accounts go unnoticed in the hopes that the seed will attract Red Cardinals, Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, Yellow Finches etc ... to stop by.

I have to admit, that I too took them for granted, knowing they would be there.  That is until a life altering car accident changed everything. 

Each morning following my accident, I would open the curtains, wondering what the day would bring.  As I sat with my tea at the kitchen table, like clockwork, the Sparrows would arrive, regardless of the weather conditions.

Early one bitterly cold Winter morning, after a particularly difficult night with no sleep, I came downstairs, opened the curtains as I always had, and noticed on the frozen ground, 6 Sparrows, side by side eating seed that had fallen from the feeder above.  I was so surprised to find them there - in the dark.

"His eye is on the Sparrow" a favourite Church hymn came to mind immediately.

"Why should I be discouraged when the Shadows come?

I sing because I'm happy

I sing because I'm free

His eye is on the Sparrow

and I know He watches me"

  I was taught a great lesson watching these 6 Sparrows on this particular morning, and they took me to the final step in the stages of Grief : Denial, Isolation, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and finally, Acceptance.

I realized it is those who will brave the storm with you that really matter. Dwelling on a situation won't change a situation, no matter how much you invest in feeling this way.  The Sparrows didn't dwell on the weather, instead, they were content to be huddled together, grateful for the blessings of seed at their feet & the comfort of each other.  As I sat watching them, not realizing how much time had passed, the sun began to rise ... figuratively & literally.

Thank you

 for the Wisdom to see

 your presence

in the precious things

you place

right before me

Amen

So Sparrows find their way tucked into my Artwork ...

stamped on fabric ...

and into clay tags as bookmarks ...

and on my Sparrow Satchel (I will write more about creating this another day)

on my key chain ...

and bracelet cuff...

 now you know why ♥

Many Thanks to Christine Stephens @ Belle Armoire for writing the "Sentimental Symbols"  article and everyone involved at Stampington ♥