Chapter 24-Celebrating Life in Lace

I must admit that I have been a little excited about this birthday.  I have always been proud of the fact that I was born on Indian Independence Day and often share this fact rather childishly with everyone! More so, this year, than ever before. Perhaps this is because after years of taking this precious gift of life for granted, I have been forced to value it.

I spent 15th August 2014 enjoying every precious moment and filling it with quality and joy.  Starting the scent of an exquisite bunch of roses and lilies I have treated my senses to the fullest, quite shamelessly, as would an over-indulged child asking for presents and treats. I wont bore you with my wish list but suffice it to say, I have been truly spoilt!

The highlight of my ** birthday has to be the precious time that I spent with my new 'skill-buddy', Christine, learning how to make Bobbin Lace.  I had always been fascinated by this skill and art which weaves such magic and romance into our lives.  It is , as though by magic, the basic threads of cotton are formed into such intricate and elaborate pieces of art that adorn the fringes of handkerchiefs, skirts and sarees.  I had to learn how !

I could not have found a better teacher. Christine increased my appetite by first showing me a portfolio of lace she had made over the past 20 years and then, very patiently and gently led me into making my first basic lace stitches.  As her husband said, it may look just like a gauze bandage in the early stages but it is MY gauze bandage woven intricately by my own hands. And one day I can aspire to making a bookmark such as in picture below or even a fan!

As Christine perceptively put it, the skills required for the gentle art of lace-making, are not very different to those of playing chess. You need patience, planning, precision and NOT TO PANIC when things go wrong, as they inevitably will! 

All the reasons, why I like to teach chess to children.

So, my fellow travellers, I have had a day of Celebration - enjoying the gifts of time, life, love and new friendships and of course, LACE.

ALL GOOD REASONS TO CONTINUE MY JOURNEY
 ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY.