An alteration? Oh, what a pain. Somebody, spare me. Please.
Despite my chronic aversion to sewing, I offered to take in my grandson’s sweatpants, a Christmas gift from me. They gapped at the waist, and the store couldn’t reorder the correct size. Plus . . . he LOVED them.
He would try them on again; I’d mark the potential tucks.
However, three layers of thick fleece and wide elastic resisted my pins. How would I shove a needle through an inch of fabric? Personal punctures seemed inevitable. Actual pain.
While procrastinating for six weeks, I read there are nine types of fleece, and only one of them, merino wool fleece, involve sheep. For the eight other types, manufacturers meld polyester and recycled plastics with strategic air pockets, sometimes adding natural fibers like cotton or hemp. Voila! Wonder wear: heat-trapping, breathable, wind- and water-resistant, lightweight, long-lasting, affordable, and non-fraying.
There was a lot to read about, which conveniently suited my reluctance to get to work. Unexpected notes of birdsong embroidered the chill beyond my window.
I also read “The Latin root word for ‘rapture means stitch and sing.”*
That fired my imagination.
My mom, genius seamstress and shy soprano, used to say, “A song makes the jobs we don’t like go faster. And better.” She insisted we sing rounds during chores.
Jogged by memories, I carried the oversize sweatpants into my doctor’s waiting room. I still dreaded starting, and failing — possibly bleeding. But my winsome lad is a kid made for cozy. Would I covertly sing?
Well. Every chair was full. The people in them already looked pained.
A tune did not arise in my heart. Not even a hum. But I sensed a solidarity with my mom, and with people, worldwide, who mend and alter. A flush of warmth — beyond the plush fibers I held — pulsed through me, as if a hand of blessing had touched my shoulder in passing.
I threaded my needle and pierced the tripled layers with ease. Something peevish within me relaxed. I settled into the gladness of keeping my word. Being of service.
And the stitches held, like musical thirty-second notes carefully placed, adding up to something worth singing about: an alteration . . . in me.
Are you delaying a needed alteration? What kind of mindset might help you get started?
You might also enjoy: “Lucky: Shelf Life, Third Edition” (Mom sews my prom dress)
Or “Resilience” (the art of mending medieval parchment . . . and more)
*Seven Thousand Ways to Listen, Mark Nepo
Photo by Lisa Woakes on Unsplash
April says
I don’t do much sewing and I’m reading this weeks after you posted it, but oh! I love these lines: “Something peevish within me relaxed. I settled into the gladness of keeping my word. Being of service.” Thank you for the inspiration and encouragement, Laurie!
Laurie says
Dear April, thank you for highlighting the very lines I needed to see again on this gray Monday with heavy skies, intermittent snow. I’m so glad they spoke to you, so grateful to experience them re-speaking to me!
Blessings on you during this month of the lion and lamb!
Bradford Gena says
That’s so wonderful. Honestly, you captured my heart with your words.
Laurie Klein says
Dear Gena, you’ve filled mine this morning with yours!
Deanna says
Just a spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down, the medicine go down, the medicine go down. Just a spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down, in the most delightful way!!!!
Now what within me needs the medicine? And do I want to be healed?
Laurie Klein says
Deanna, I find I am singing along! Picturing practically perfect in every way Mary Poppins. Such an irrepressible tune, so catchy, so true.
I am taking your two questions as my own this week. Profound!
Rick Mills says
I have been reading the liturgical scriptures, leading up to Transfiguration Sunday.
The last Sunday of ordinary time in the church calendar, before Lent the following Wednesday.
Transfiguration.
Transformation.
Metamorphosis.
And now…
Alteration.
From the inside.
Where he hear.
A song.
A voice.
Constantly changing.
Bless you.
Laurie Klein says
Ah, these multi-syllabic words of such depth and richness—I am going to dip into your words this week . . .
Thank you! And, as ever, thank you for reading and responding, friend.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your beloved!
Jonelle Bellis says
Laurie, why didn’t you call me?? For the sewing that is.
Thanks for the wonderful message.
Love you!
Laurie Klein says
You are so welcome. : ) I’m sure it was character-building as I am a sewing slacker. I grew up with four amazing seamstresses: mother, both grandmothers, and sister. I’m the one who’d cut out two right sleeves, bungle linings, iron the interface to itself . . . then mope until Mom stepped in and sorted it for me. (I will keep you in mind if there is a next call for repairs!)
Love to you two and Happy Hearts Day,
Laurie
Nancy Ruegg says
Rapture means “stitch” and “sing?” How glorious is that? You’ve fired MY imagination, Laurie. At the rapture we’ll be stitched forever to our God and Savior in perfect union. We’ll also be stitched back together with family and friends who’ve preceded us to heaven. And we’ll SING! Oh my, how we’ll sing! I think of those times here on earth when a throng of strong voices and an orchestra of trained instrumentalists have raised the roof with exuberant praise–a paltry effort compared to heaven’s music, I’m sure. In addition, God himself will sing over us!! Now THAT visual is beyond my imagination.
Laurie Klein says
Nancy, you’ve got my ears longing for that music!
I read that fascinating definition in the Mark Nepo book (mentioned in the credits). I tried to confirm the root word online but was unable to refine a sophisticated etymological search. I’m trusting his fact checker!
I love the way you take those words and run with them.
Susan says
Alterations-R-Me. If it doesn’t fit right—fix it. I keep my sewing machine at the ready to “customize” any and everything I wear. Yep, most everything I wear has been altered to fit a body that does not conform to normal sizing.
Yes, there is the danger of ruining something. And I have. But it was either that or letting it languish in a drawer or closet. Or releasing it to a thrift shop. Shrug.
I say go for it. The more you do it the easier it is both if it works out and not HAH.
Jonelle Bellis says
I’m with you Susan. I must admit that I have ruined some too!
Laurie Klein says
Susan, I had no idea. You are adept! Hopefully, I’ll dodge any more endeavors, although my eyeballing it (minus pins) resulted in a perfect fit. A fluke! But so worth his grin . . .
Anna Smit says
This was such a sweet blessing from the LORD. A Holy Spirit gift. I had been procrastinating editing a huge manuscript, but yesterday I finally opened it – digitally on my blog – to begin gathering and editing each piece. And there in that intro post waited a song that literally expressed what I had just been reading in my Mum’s diary (she died of cancer when I was 33 and my Dad recently gave me the last diary she wrote). I had put that song at the end of the introductory post for my friend’s and my jointly-written book, almost two years ago, and yet now it meant so much more because its lyrics were a prayer my Mama prayed.
So this bit in your story so touched my heart:
A tune did not arise in my heart. Not even a hum. But I sensed a solidarity with my mom, and with people, worldwide, who mend and alter. A flush of warmth — beyond the plush fibers I held — pulsed through me, as if a hand of blessing had touched my shoulder in passing.
Thank you for your sweet encouragement.
Laurie Klein says
Dear Anna, how achingly beautiful, these connections over time that you speak of. I sense your love for her as I read your words, as well as your awe over God’s timing. Such a cherished gift, to hold that final testament in your hands. And what a privilege to “listen in” on her prayers!
The song — so long part of the ms — seemingly just waiting to be rekindled by your reading he entry in the diary yesterday. A most profound early valentine. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.