It was Saturday morning of the Thanksgiving weekend. I needed to do my grocery shopping after being away for the week visiting my son and family. The local fire station was selling Christmas trees and having a craft fair. Did I need a Christmas tree? No. My artificial one would be put up soon but I missed the days when the kids were little and we would tag and cut our own tree. I walked through the tree lot at the fire station immersed in the fragrance of the fresh cut trees and the nearby wood fire to keep the volunteers warm.
Afterwards I entered the community room where the craft fair was taking place. I was specifically looking for vendors that sewed handcrafted items. Earlier in the week at another craft fair in Maryland I had purchased aprons and little crayon bags for my grandchildren. I also purchased a couple of holiday table runners. I love textiles and all the patterns and creativity put into this handiwork. I don't sew yet admire the work of others.
At the craft fair I was missing my own children who are now grown and live in other states, as I was surrounded by families and children. As Santa made an appearance into the vendor area visiting the children I decided to make an exit. I decided to not purchase anything and to continue on with my destination to the grocery store. As I was walking to my car I reflected on the excitement of seasons past when I was a young mother myself.
In the grocery store parking lot my usual parking area was full so I parked my car along the perimeter facing a grassy and wooded area. As I was getting out of the car I was looking ahead at the evergreens in the distance. That is when I saw something hanging in one of the branches. I was intrigued as I found it to be an odd spot for a singular item to be hanging from a branch. I decided to take a closer look. A heart? With a tag? Hmmm. I had to take out my glasses to read the tag because it was a bit smudged. Maybe from some rain that had fallen the day before. Once I saw that it said I Need A Home, my heart felt lighter. I then took it off the tree and knew it would be my most treasured decoration. How ironic that I had just come from a craft fair without a quilted craft and here in God's glorious nature was the most perfect handiwork just waiting for me to find it. I walked into the grocery store with a lighter heart, a lighter step in my stride and a smile on my face. And I couldn't wait to get home to find out what IFAQH was all about.
The kids may be grown and busy with their own lives however I'm not too old to learn how to sew and then I too can spread some love, joy, and happiness to someone willing to just look ahead and not get stuck in the past.
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