Simplicity: Act of Kindness

Tuesday, August 4, 2009, by Leigh Anne & Sherra

We have designated Tuesday as a day where we will have different women share “Moments & Memories” in their lives.

We plan to feature women from all walks of lives – it may be in the form of an interview or as a guest writer. The column on Tuesday will be centered around our word of the month. We’d love to feature you as a guest writer. Qualifications: No experience necessary…just be willing to share a great moment or memory with other women. Send us an email and we’ll schedule a date. Our guest writers do not necessarily have to have a website or a blog as we want iLashGirls to be a place where every woman has a voice!

Leigh Anne and Sherra say…

We *met* Shelli Christiansen through iLashGirls when she shared a special memory with us via email. Shelli is one creative gal and if you are looking for a little creative inspiration be sure and visit her blog. She’s got Leigh Anne ready to break out her old embroidery needles! We’re so glad she is willing to share that special moment with you here on the blog and we are delighted to introduce her to you…

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I’m a wife of 18 years, and stay-at-home mom of four busy kiddos! I’m a former 5th grade school teacher, and currently the owner of my own design business called “Needle in a Haystack.” I design and sell hand-embroidery and machine embroidery designs, quilts, table runners, and other home decor items. It has been a great creative outlet for me. I spend much of my time with the regular household duties, traveling to football and basketball games, as well as violin and piano lessons. I’m sure that you all relate!

When I’m not being Mom or designing, I love to hang out with my hubby, to read, be outdoors, travel, bake goodies, and eat out!

Favorite color:

That’s a tough one, but on most days, I can’t help but love red! I am drawn to it everywhere.

Favorite food you associate with summer:

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread! I actually look forward to those jumbo zucchini growing in the garden.

Pet Peeve?

When people interrupt a conversation, or try to carry on a conversation with me when I’m on the phone with someone else. (The culprits in my life are mainly my children!)

What is something that no one knows about you? (That you want to tell the whole Internet world)

When I was 14, my dad taught me to how drive our new 10 wheeler diesel truck on our potato farm, and I drove it each harvest for the next 3 years. (Yes, age 14 was legal back then!)

One word that describes you:

Genuine

What’s your motto or mantra:

“Make it and the idea will come.” This is a quote from Auguste Rodin, the artist who created the sculpture of “The Thinker,” amongst others. I learned about this quote in a college art class, and it was so intriguing to me, that it has stuck with me. We often struggle to get an idea before we feel like we can create something, but as I’ve applied the thought in this quote, I’ve seen it work just the opposite. When we begin first “making” something, even if we’re not sure how it’s going to turn out, our thoughts become refined, they adjust, and expand to something greater. Quite often, what I begin creating is totally different from the finished product, but the act of just “making” something, is what gets me there. I’ve applied this to my stitchery designs, church assignments, college reports, talks, and even planning activities with my family.

What are the top three things that are most important to you — the things you love to do and you are passionate about?

To be with, and teach my family to be responsible, productive citizens (wow–is that a painful process at times!) But I’m grateful that I can be a mom, and thankful I can stay home with them. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
My Faith. I’m grateful for my belief in a higher source, as that belief and knowledge drives the rest of my life.
Creating. I think that all of us desire to create at some level. It may be with fabric, paper, a needle and thread; through writing, cooking, or developing a safe haven for our families. The possibilities are endless. For me, creating gives me something to look forward to in my day amongst the other mundane tasks I have to do—you know, the endless mountains of laundry, cleaning, and dishes!

A Moment of Simplicity

It’s amazing to me how seemingly simple acts of kindness can end up being huge in someone else’s life. I had a marvelous and touching experience when my mother died…it was crazy and hectic making preparations for her funeral, and of course a sorrowful time. About 7 of my dear friends broke into to my house (literally!) while we were gone making preparations for the funeral, and cleaned my house from top to bottom. We’re talking bathrooms, the floor, bedrooms, everything–all the things we’d left undone in the wake of a life change. All of my laundry was folded neatly, my floors were mopped, and as I returned home late that night with my little family, I was greeted with a plate of muffins and a sweet note from those friends on my kitchen table, expressing their sorrow and love for me.

It was a simple act of love I will never forget, that ended up being a huge gift for me at a difficult time. It still brings tears to my eyes as I think of it again. Truly one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received.