A Couple of Life's Lessons Embodied in a Misshapen Pink Hat

A letter (published here with permission) written to Madelyn, after using a tiny ball of pink yarn to make the most beautiful and meaningful hat we've see; sitting now on the corner of her incubator. I think Bev and I read this letter every day. It was given to Madelyn by a dear friend who knows what it means to be a wounded healer.


Dear Madelyn:

I really liked my tiny ball of pink yarn, but I knew there never was going to be enough to make anything for anyone, that is, until you were born. I pulled up your photo off an email, compared the size of you mom's hand to you head, and decided my tiny ball could be your hat. With no pattern or experience, I relied heavily on the advice of my friends (two women you'll probably never meet but who know your story, care about you, and wanted this hat to work out for you). It was a fun New Years Eve Day project, even if it proably won't ever stay on your head. So here are some lessons I learned and I hope you learn.

1) Take risks and do something you've never done before
2) Do what you love to do
3) If you can do it better, go ahead and start over
4) Be happy with your best even when you know others can do it better
5) Ask questions from those who do things better
6) Understand community can be bigger than the people you know
7) Know 'It's the thought that counts' isn't always just a cover for a really lame gift

Anyway, here is your hat. Fell free to use it for your favorite doll that might catch a cold without it.