heart

Manic Monday. Labor of Love

by Shelly Kneupper Tucker on September 3, 2007

mr_t-august07.jpg
Since June 14th, 2007, many people have been laboring with love. They have been making six inch crocheted or knitted squares to put into afghans for children at Camp Sanguinity Cancer Camp next summer (2008). Others have been stitching these into beautiful afghans to bring comfort to those children, and let each child know that at least 48 different people care.

A few weeks ago, I made an “executive decision” to send one (and only one) of the Share A Square afghans on its way to a child who won’t be at Camp Sanguinity. Matty, at Running on Empty, was one of the first to contribute to Share A Square. Then, she got the devastating news that her grandson faced a bone marrow transplant.

“Mr. T” is fighting a war on leukemia with courage and humor. His grandmother has even set up his own blog, called Young Warrior. Mr. T has received the first afghan—the fruit of all our labor. He has enjoyed reading the tags to know all of the people who created a square for his afghan. Visit his site to read more about him, to see more pictures of him (and his reaction to that afghan), and to cheer him on in his fight. Visit Matty, and cheer her on, too.

Try to tell me that this is not worth the time we put into it.
Try to tell me I was wrong to send that first afghan on its way.

I double triple dog dare you.

You can visit other Manic Monday participants to read their take on the word “labor” by clicking here.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: This was a part of Share A Square for 2008 project. The afghans were delivered on July 7th, 2008. If you are interested in participating in Share A Square 2010, please check out the FAQ

Other posts you might enjoy:

  1. Share A Square 2010 Begins
  2. I Refuse To Give Up On The Good Medicine Project
  3. A Chance To Help Share A Square Without Crocheting A Stitch
  4. Manic Monday–What Do I Want?
  5. We’re Pals Again


paperclips

{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

And Miles To Go.... September 3, 2007 at 8:00 am

what a beautiful post on a very worthwhile cause. I wish I knew how to crochet. It’s a beautiful afghan and I bet he appreciates it.

From what was said on his blog, I think he does. I think he really does.~skt

Reply

Marcia September 3, 2007 at 9:01 am

Mr T says it all with that smile on his face…

Yep. That smile is worth ALL of the time that is going into this. Just that one smile is all it takes.~skt

Reply

Jamie September 3, 2007 at 9:07 am

As always, your instincts are for doing exactly the right thing at exactly the right time to bring joy to others. It’s wonderful to see a completed quilt with all those gifts of love.

It IS pretty wonderful, Jaime. I hope folks see his smile and set to work crocheting more squares. I wish I could just deliver them right now, so that kids could get immediate benefit. But, next summer at camp is going to be pretty marvelous. Thanks for visiting~skt

Reply

mo September 3, 2007 at 11:11 am

I think it is wonderful that you sent MrT the afghan. I grew up with those blankets made of love by my great-grandmother, and to see them on person in an otherwise cold hospital room – I know there is warmth and love there, and that he knows it.
Cheers to you!

Thanks, Mo. Cheers to all the good folks who are working for Share A Square! Their work is well worth it.~skt

Reply

Claire September 3, 2007 at 11:29 am

You are lovely for doing this :)
I hope it cheers him up and speeds up his recovery.

No, Claire…a LOT of people are doing this. A LOT of people are caring for many different children, and it’s almost overwhelming to experience the heartwarming love that folks have. ~skt

Reply

lola September 3, 2007 at 11:58 am

Me emociona ver esa foto, lo siento pero debo de decirlo en mi propio idioma, de lo contrario creo que perdería valor lo que trato de decir. Un fuerte abrazo.

El comentario no perdió ningún valor, mi amigo. Sabía lo que usted decía sin traducir las palabras. Es muy móvil ver. Los abrazos de nuevo a usted, y le agradecen por visitar tan a menudo. (I hope that said what I wanted it to say!)~skt

Reply

Michelle at Scribbit September 3, 2007 at 12:36 pm

I always love hearing of others’ kindness. What good people there are.

Tons of good people, Michelle. It’s fun to get to “meet” them every day. I’m constantly amazed at the folks who want to help with this. Thanks for visiting~skt

Reply

Imma (Alice) September 3, 2007 at 2:39 pm

What a wonderful story… a tale of love and giving. Awesome! Thanks for sharing this with us. I soooo need a nap, but will check into this more, follow your links and see what’s up. I could send a square made of my hand spun wool.

Happy MM.

Thanks for visiting and checking out the links. I’d love to have a square from you. Unfortunately, with cancer kids we can’t use wool (I’m a handspinner, too, and my wool is just sitting there looking at me). Go get a nap! It’s a holiday!~skt

Reply

Jessica The Rock Chick September 3, 2007 at 6:06 pm

HI Shelly- I think it’s wonderful that he got the first one. I can tell just by the smile on his face that he feels every drop of love that went into making it!!!

Jessica The Rock Chick

I think he did, too. visit his site, girl. This kid has a sense of humor!~skt

Reply

Claire September 3, 2007 at 6:25 pm

I visited his site, he is a very funny guy :)

Still think you lovely so there!

Even if you did make me pimp out my poor granny :twisted:
I want to hear what your granny has to say about that! Be sure to give us quotes from her.:lol:~skt

Reply

SusieJ September 3, 2007 at 7:17 pm

The most beautiful thing I have seen in a long time. My heart is so warmed up. You, must be speechless and so grateful.

It’s a pretty powerful image, and yes, leaves me speechless~skt

Reply

Crazy Working Mom September 3, 2007 at 9:57 pm

How awesome is that!?
Great MM post.

Thanks, Tish. Had to share it~skt

Reply

Andria September 3, 2007 at 10:33 pm

Awesome story! I like too much.

Thanks for stopping by to visit.~skt

Reply

Rosemarie September 3, 2007 at 11:00 pm

Your executive decision was a good one, and there’s no need to explain. I’ll be by to send Matty some love. Great cause Shelly!

I posted another Only the Good. Stop on by!

Send Matty lots of love, Rosemarie. She’s hanging in there, but it must be rough~skt

Reply

Riley September 3, 2007 at 11:20 pm

Beautiful afghan. Off to visit his site…

He will enjoy having a guy come to visit!~skt

Reply

Arkie Mama September 4, 2007 at 10:13 am

Beautiful.

Am going to check out his site.

Do check his site. I know he would love that.~skt

Reply

Shauna September 6, 2007 at 4:11 pm

You’re amazing, Shelly. That picture is priceless.

WE are amazing, Shauna. That picture is worth many words, isn’t it?~skt

Reply

Denine July 15, 2009 at 9:33 pm

I i am just wondering if you are still doing this I would like to add your site to my help save the usa site. Please let me know

Reply

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv Enabled

{ 5 trackbacks }

Previous post:

Next post:

The Authenticity Pledge