One of the first blogs we found when EZ was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, over two years ago, was Feresaknit's Blog. Author Paula Kilgallon, is a young woman in the UK whose quick wit and talent with knitting needles, a crochet hook, and a sewing machine can hardly be surpassed. Though we wish our paths had crossed for reasons other than MM, we are so thankful for Paula's blog, and for her friendship as she and EZ battle MM. Though we have never met face to face, we, like so many others in blogosphere, consider Paula our dear friend, and she is heavy on our hearts right now.
This is Paula's Facebook profile picture and though it isn't the clearest shot, I think it's beautiful for so many reasons. Her smile, her eyes, her honesty and the Prayer Shawl she has wrapped around her shoulders. My mother lovingly, and with much prayer, crocheted it and asked that we send it to Paula for Christmas last year.
Here is one Prayer of Blessing for a completed shawl, written by Janet Bristow of the Shawl Ministry website:
May God's grace be upon this shawl...
warming, comforting, enfolding and embracing.
May this mantle be a safe haven...a sacred place of security and well-being...
May the one who receives this shawl be cradled in hope, kept in joy, graced with peace, and wrapped in love. Blessed be!
Spunky, feisty, funny, huge-hearted, smart, generous and talented are just a few adjectives I would use to describe Paula, and now she needs our prayers. (Some may remember this request for prayer back in October of 2011 for she and Sean.) Following a failed autologous stem cell transplant, Paula has experienced numerous bad reactions and side effects, and has been in and out of "The Royal" hospital. Her last post was on May 31st, as she, with her usual humor, proceeded to describe her sore "sausage hands" along with other difficulties. Her condition has deteriorated and now, according to her sister-in-law, Gill, her medical team has chosen to stop further treatment and have Palliative Care do everything they can to make Paula comfortable; last we heard, she was.
Once again, we are in a state of shock after what has been described by Gill as a "horrendous" past few weeks for Paula. Please join EZ and I in praying for this amazing lady, that she would remain at peace, not in pain. Also keep her husband Bernard, his sister Gill, Auntie Ann, and other close friends and family members in the UK in your prayers as they stand by in love and support of dear Paula.
In the meantime we are holding on tight to reminders of Paula and her amazing talent, and asking God to hold her in the palm of His hand.
Once again, we are in a state of shock after what has been described by Gill as a "horrendous" past few weeks for Paula. Please join EZ and I in praying for this amazing lady, that she would remain at peace, not in pain. Also keep her husband Bernard, his sister Gill, Auntie Ann, and other close friends and family members in the UK in your prayers as they stand by in love and support of dear Paula.
"Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
In the meantime we are holding on tight to reminders of Paula and her amazing talent, and asking God to hold her in the palm of His hand.
Paula's Myeloma Buddies. Profits go to Myeloma UK and International Myeloma Foundation (IMF)
Merry Christmas Buddies for our youngest grandchildren: Samuel, Samantha and Emery (days old in these pictures!)
Custom Abby and Milo (our Springers) for our oldest grandchildren, Natalie and Nathan
Even great nephew Jaxon got some Buddy love at one day old!
We love you Paula...
We love Paula too. Every morning and evening Ruby grips the hand knitted blanket from Paula. I cuddle with Ruby and the blanket every morning. Not to mention that the word Myeloma for my children has been introduced through stuffed "buddies" and have brought joy in a word that could brink so much darkness.
ReplyDeleteI actually first learned about Paula and her talents when you featured the Buddies she made for Ocean and Iris on your blog. I KNOW Ruby's blanket must be beautiful. So many people love her, though we've never met her face to face...
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ReplyDeleteOh, I have heard you talk so much about Paula, but have never seen a picture of her before now. What a beautiful woman, and I love that she is wearing Grandma's prayer shawl in that picture. I will be praying for her and for her family. What a very sad and hard time...
ReplyDeleteLike many, we have come to know Paula through her remarkably intimate blog detailing with her special humor a life that brought us back again and again until we were more than just visitors, but her vast army of cheerleaders and friends. Of course we are praying now... knowing this is one special sparrow that will be held in His hand.
ReplyDeletePrayers for dear Paula continue.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to our dear Paula. I can't recall when I first "met" her online, but I think it was through the ACOR MM site when my husband was still alive. I have two Buddies that she sent to us - and a Bunny that arrived on this past New Year's Eve. Such a kind, generous heart. My husband passed peacefully from myeloma and kidney failure and I pray that Paula will have that same peace.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Linda. I couldn't have said it better. Truly an angel sent from heaven, that Paula is, and my heart is so heavy also, with this latest turn of events for her and B. Praying and sending strength to her as I cuddle my own buddy, every day.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to send me a picture of you with your buddy for the collage. The joy she brought to so many cannot be measured...
DeleteLinda has been sharing Paula's blog with me since the beginning, and when she suggested I send my prayer shawl to Paula, I immediately thought about all of the beautiful things she knits and crochets, and how my amateurish shawl would compare. But then I thought about how I had prayed for the person while I was making it, and I knew Paula had to have it. When I saw the picture of her wearing it, I knew I had made the right decision. My heart is also heavy as I write this. Like Linda, I came to love Paula and will truly miss reading her blog and seeing her beautiful creations. Ginny Stout
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