Something to Mend

I needed something to mend.  Big things are broken in our lives, in our world, that we can’t control.  Still, I needed the feeling of restoring something, making the broken beautiful.  Recently I purchased a vintage floral crown from a favorite shop that was closing.  I was drawn to the blue velvet and satin leaves.


Many of the leaves had pulled away from their wires, so I began by gluing each leaf back onto the wire.  (My binding clips were very helpful in this process, by the way!)  I bought some vintage millinery flowers at the same time, and added them to the crown.


We all have something to mend.  Probably in our textiles, but mending is bigger than that.  We need it in our relationships, in our thoughts, in the way we treat people at the store.  We all see the holes.  None of us can mend the world alone, but we can all find something to mend in our own lives.  Restoring this crown reminded me that mending heals me, too.  I love the crown; I love how I felt after fixing it, even more.


Fixing my crown reminded me of an old quote, wise words from a very good man:

“This year, mend a quarrel.  Seek out a forgotten friend.  Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.  Write a letter.  Give a soft answer.  Encourage youth.  Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.  Keep a promise.  Forgo a grudge.  Forgive an enemy.  Apologize.  Try to understand.  Examine your demands on others.  Think first of someone else.  Be kind.  Be gentle.  Laugh a little more.  Express your gratitude.  Welcome a stranger.  Gladden the heart of a child.  Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.  Speak your love and then speak it again.”  – Howard W. Hunter