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I love the burst of excitement and passion when, without warning, I see a picture or a phrase that allows for just a brief time the window of inspiration to open. The ideas of plans, missions and designs that were building in my mind spill out onto the pages of my journal, images appearing in the form of frantically scribbled words and crude attempts to draw. It does not matter to me what anyone else may see on the pages of my journal. It only matters that I can see my idea on paper as clearly as it was in my mind - selling an idea to give hope.
| Buying and Giving a Concept The people who firmly believe they can buy anything do exist. They believe they can buy happiness and have bought more money, bought, sold and traded people, and some have paid for life. I suppose if you have enough money you could try to buy anything including faith, but can money buy a person hope? Hope is faith and faith is intangible. What we believe in and cannot see is done with faith (a concept). Hope does not fit into any of the physical senses, so how it it be bought or sold? You may answer through products or tangible items we give to people which is a valid argument, but, it's still not giving hope; it's giving a concept. Many times we as adults forget a child or an adult in crisis may experience a temporary lack of ability to process concepts. They are in black and white (concrete) thinking mode for survival and protection of their emotions; however, they will process something tangible that represents the promise of hope. Something physical to remind them of a special memory, moment or of their home. |  In the right form, yarn and other materials can bring the promise of hope and happiness. |
 Windows of Hope Quilt A Promise of Hope The impact of a child being removed from their homes to a strange place is beyond my ability to express. They experience fear, self-blame, shame and some continue to experience these emotions for many more years. The same impact exists for teens and adults when they are removed or forced to flee their homes for their safety and safety of their children. Shame and fear grip a person so tightly it becomes almost too much to move, think, speak or plan. Trauma becomes their world. Fortunately, research has moved administrators, advocates, and those in the medical and mental health professions forward enough to understand the impact of trauma on children and adults. Some studies have found the trauma may be reduced when a person has a form of the promise of hope. I have seen the difference a bear, a blanket, a doll or other special item given to a child when they are placed out of home can make. I have experienced personally the joy of giving and receiving items some of you may take for granted: nice clothing, body sprays, special jewelry, a music cd, books to read or cosmetics. Each person reacts differently to the gifts, but most will recognize these gifts as a promise to them - that hope is theirs. If they have nothing else, they have the promise of hope to hold onto and wrap around themselves when they feel lonely, lost and afraid. An invisible message is given with the items, "Have faith, keep hoping. WE will get through this." | In the right form, yarn or other materials can create something tangible that brings the promise of hope and happiness. I created Aware Bears in the efforts of providing the promise of hope to others, and more recently, the Windows of Hope Quilt. Did you know from each Aware Bear sold I donate $2.00 to the cause the bear represents? The thought crossed my mind I can be giving more, doing more with this concept. This is where selling an idea to give hope becomes my dream. While designing the quilt, I was able to place the pieces of my dream together beyond images and create a plan.  My Dream is to Give Custom & Repurposed Clothing, Quilts & Other Items to Persons Placed in Care Out of Their Homes or Residing in Shelters For Safety. |
 Please email if you are interested in learning more about how you can help with Promises of Hope. sher@daydreemz.net | Wanted: Many Hands, Hearts & Minds Taking action is what will turn this dream into a reality with help from volunteers and donations of their time and skills. Can I do this alone? No. A project of this size needs many hands, hearts and minds. A project of this size will need a lot of fabric and donated clothing to make Promises of Hope happen. It will take a little time, planning and most of all people working together. My dream begins with you in your community. This is a call to action. I am not seeking money - I am asking for:
I wish you much inspiration, today and always. Sher |
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