The Importance of Compassion

Often I have written about going to PJ Jam at the LambShoppe in Denver.  It is the 3rd Saturday of each month and a wonderous and fun evening surrounded by fellow fiber/yarn enthusiasts.  The enthusiasm is mirrored by the entire staff at the shop and their willingness to talk yarn and stitching.

One employee in particular is noteworthy to the experience for me.  This is the lovely Angie.  A young mother who, when I last saw her in January, was 4 months pregnant with her second child.

I missed PJ Jam in February as my family and I were ill with a stomach bug.  I didn’t want to share our germs with my friends, so stayed home.

When I attended PJ Jam in March I was distressed to learn that Angie was in hospital and quite critically ill.  It turns out that Angie has a rare disease called Moya Moya.  This was un-diagnosed before recent events lead to her being hospitalized and having emergency neurosurgery.

Angie has other surgeries ahead of her, as well as long stays in hospital and rehabilitative care on her road to recovery.  This whole process will likely be quite expensive for her and her family. So the staff of the LambShoppe have organized a Fundraiser to help raise money to defer the costs.

Some of the yarn I was showing off from my March trip is going to be used to create a FreeForm crocheted neck cozy for the Silent auction portion of the Fundraiser. 

If you are in the Denver area and would like to contribute to or attend the Fundraiser it is being held at Noon on April 18th at Pomegranate Place, 750 Clarkson St.  Ravelry members can read more here.

Maybe the hardest part for many of us is the absolute inexplicable nature of it all.  How completely horribly wrong it seems that something like this could happen to such a sweet person and one seemingly the picture of health.

“Unfair” “Heart-breaking” “Horrible” are all words I’ve heard used to describe this tragic turn of events.  And all these words are true.  But it is a reminder.   Life is often unfair, heart-breaking and horrible.  Our tenure on this plane of existence comes with no guarantees.

Which is why making the effort to live our lives with kindness and tolerance towards each other is so important.  The only fairness and justice that truly exist are the ones we create for each other. 

So, even if you are not at a place to do something to help Angie, please remember to live each day with compassion toward yourself and your fellow tenants in life.