Crochet to Comfort

There were 2 magazines that “mysteriously” appeared in my mailbox a few months ago. It has been at least 8 years since I subscribed to a magazine.  I had no time to read the articles, didn’t want to spend money, plus I would need to dispose of outdated issues. My name was purposely put on a mailing list — a lesser form of harassment than stalking. The first magazine I cancelled, but I didn’t get to cancel the 2nd magazine.  It arrived Monday.

I looked at the table of contents, scanned the recipes and then spotted a short article that caught my attention: Handmade scarves for traumatized women.  I knew women who crocheted, knit or sewed hats for cancer victims, but I never heard of anyone making something for victims of abuse.   A young woman, age 29 (I’m over 50. She’s young to me) suffered from depression earlier in her life as a result of trauma.  At the suggestion of her therapist, she decided to re-explore a craft she learned as a child — crocheting.   Within a few months JoHanna gave away the 15 scarves she crocheted to other abuse survivors.

Now JoHanna continues to create comfort through crocheted scarves and offers them to girls and women through her website.

If you know of anyone (even yourself) who needs a special boost of comfort to continue moving forward through life, contact JoHanna.   She will wrap you with woven warmth to heal your head and heart.

Participation in art, crafts, music, reading have always provided therapeutic comfort for people in need.   JoHanna has found HER voice through her crochet hook and she creates scaves for strength to girls and women who have thankfully survived their episode of abuse.   Thank you JoHanna!

 

Justice for Jessica

A tragedy occurs in towns every day.  Many go unnoticed. Many are overlooked.  Some make national news.   The  tragedy of Jessica Ridgeway brings to heart the need for vigilance from violence.  Look for the signs of abuse or danger BEFORE a crime happens.

We were not able to save Jessica from the horrors of a violent predator.  Our hope is that the killer will be found quickly.   After the violence,  stay in contact with the residual victims of the crime — the family and the friends. The survivors need nourishment to overcome their own trauma.

Jessica’s friends will now live in fear for quite some time.    They will suffer from residual fear — a common reaction to any form of violence.    It is extremely disheartening that the legal system as well as law enforcement officers ignore the signs and effects of mental fear when it is presented to them.

Mental trauma from abuse lasts far longer than physical effects.   Police will only get involved if there is a definite sign of physical trauma.   Law enforcement appears to ignore or are unwilling to recognize the emotional, mental, psychological abuse that is the precursor to physical violence.

We can’t accept the concept of waiting till someone is missing, injured or dead to intervene.    We need to be proactive to notice signs and not be afraid to ask probing questions.  The worst that could happen is your embarassment for asking.   The best — one less victim of violent crime.