D fell and refractured his arm in exactly the two places he had in July, only this time the breaks could not be set without surgery and pins. Yes, he was skateboarding. No, it is not all that uncommon (come to find out) for refractures to occur. Poor guy. Bad timing. Bad luck. (And yes, it was bad judgment on our part to allow him on a board so soon).
He is recovering well, though, and on this rainy, grey New England day there seems to be a glimmer of relief here in this household. A few more hot, salted baths, mugs of dandelion root tea and chicken soup (not to mention the painkillers), and he will be back at it.
Though “it” will not include lacrosse, snowboarding or skateboarding any time soon.
I knit this at the hospital this weekend, waiting for D’s surgery to be done. The worst part (for K and me, that is) was pushing to get D in THAT day, so that he didn’t have to fast and go without pain meds for another 8 or so hours the next day. It was touch and go for a couple of hours, but thankfully, D was taken as an ‘add on’.
Knowing that there would be some interminable waiting, I grabbed a skein of bone-colored aran wool and a ziploc bag full of fabric strips. The idea was to have my hands acting the metaphor of bones knitting together. And, and so it was, the loop-after-looping keeping me present. Acting as a prayer.
- NOTE TO SELF — next time (PLEASE let there be no next time) — put the ER xrays in the car before gathering up craft supplies!! (K went back and got them while D and I waited one of the long waits).
- ANOTHER NOTE TO SELF — Notice how refreshing it was to make something for the sheer act of the making — no end goal, no project-ness, no pressure to turn it in to something (though it may at some point be turned into something). Making loop after loop and grabbing strip after strip of cloth and knitting them in. Row after row. Knitting together.
What a terrible feeling of having your son hurt in such way. I wish him and you a prompt recovery.
As for your knitting bones, it’s impressive how it helps you to “keep yourself put.” I feel it’s the only place I personally find peace.
I love that phrase “keeping yourself put” — I think I will use it as a touch phrase today… hope you and your girls are well, too, Paloma.
I hope he mends well this time. Your knitting is lovely. It can be very relaxing that way
Hope he’s OK. I just love the thought of you knitting his bones together while he was in the hospital. Stitch (any kind) is such a powerful metaphor.
Oy! That boy needs to take up a less risky sport for a while. That must have hurt like crazy. Ouch. For you two as well. It is so scary breaks, hospital, surgery, now recovery again. That blankie looks very comforting I think you might need a big one…
oh, that explains it. And a good thing to think of, knitting. I like that you used a (clean) pair of his boxers or the rags. That must have helped the heallng magic!
oh gosh you bring back mothering memories. making makes things better..
thanks for your comments and good wishes, all… another note about making — I am a pretty terrible knitter and here I had needles about three sizes too big for the yarn, meaning all the inconsistencies of my stitching were going to be very visible… and again, it was freeing not to care…
Kids heal so, so fast, and already D is feeling much better.
Oh my! I stopped by to check on you since my house is in total renovation chaos, and I’ve been off-line, and I find your household with more broken bones and a whole lot of knitting going on. I’m so glad your son is feeling better. I know youth heals faster than age, but still, this is a little much. For mom, too!! I think your idea of knitting your way through the waiting period is a stroke of genius. I’ve thought of taking up knitting, too, but I would want it to be something totally simple and repetitive. The longest scarf in the world perhaps? Well, just want you to know I am thinking of you, especially now!! xo Kari
Hi Kari, nice to hear from you… your thoughts are appreciated, and I can’t wait til YOUR household settles back down so that we can continue enjoying the adventures of your paper/word creations. There is a lot to be said for handwork that is repetitive… as Jude has demonstrated so well — stitching can be meditation.