Back in July we got the news that our dear friend Di had a brain tumor. At that time she had surgery and radiation and things were looking good for them. Until last week. Today we received this email from Diane. They are past the point of casseroles and get-well cards. Now all they really need is our prayers. Please join me in praying that this year it is their turn for a Christmas Miracle.

Hello friends,

I sure do hate to give bad news this way, but it is quick and easy for me right now. Please forgive me. I had surgery for a recurrent brain tumor on Nov 3oth. I did well, but they also discovered a new tumor near the brain stem which was inoperable. I had the gamma knife procedure for that and I’m, looking into some type of clinical trial, help, etc.The problem is that the type of brain tumor I have, anaplastic meningioma, is not common and there is not a whole lot of research on it. I may have found a study at Duke University and I’m checking into that this week. Actually I feel better than last time and I’m moving around well, without much pain. I am asking you to keep me and my family in your prayers. If you know of any prayer circles, please put me on it. I will keep you posted. I really appreciate all your prayers, love and support. Love, Diane

Mr Mess and Jim, her husband, have been friends and co-workers for over a decade. They have seven children, five girls and two boys, in their late teens and twenties. One of their middle daughters just got engaged this summer with a wedding planned for next fall. They have just come through a very rough couple of years with their oldest son. Jim has been unemployed for almost a year. I don’t know how much more a family should have to endure. But endure it they do and they seem to be managing with an amazing show of solidarity and strength. Their oldest daughter moved back to Illinois from Texas to be near her Mom and to help out with the rest of the siblings. Both Jim and Diane continue to be gracious and thankful for everything they have and all the help they’ve been receiving. They just don’t deserve this.

I would also appreciate any advice to Steve and I on what to do and say and how to help. We’re so broken up and in shock that we are at a total loss as to what to do. We’ve never been through anything like this before.

Mr Mess asked me yesterday to make some kind of decoration for the front of the garage. He bought these iron sconces last summer and had thrown some not so attractive faux flowers into them and hung them up. I knew I could do better.

I foraged through the forest surrounding our house with my pruning shears and gathered a selection of various evergreens. We are fortunate to have a large variety to choose from including; blue spruce, norway spruce, cedar, white pine and boxwood. We do not have any holly but I do have ivy, I just forgot to go to that side of the house and cut any. Maybe I’ll add some tomorrow if we don’t get the ice storm I keep hearing about. The addition of a couple velvet poinsettias, and the halls garage was officially decked.

These will look familiar to longtime readers. I made 30 pair of these last year for customers at a craft show I did in November. I swore to never knit this pattern again. Alas, I stand corrected. One of my customers from last year called a couple weeks ago asking if I’d make 5 more for her because they were such a hit last year. She wanted them all in the same colors; red, black and white, but made no specifications beyond that. So I took the liberty to keep myself awake while knitting these and varied the combinations of the colors. Plus these are going to two sets of sisters so this way they can tell their pairs apart.

Now on to crafting for me. I’m starting with finishing my Millennium Vest. Stay tuned.