16 March 2012

Sow Seeds of Love

"Love is the flower you've got to let grow." ~ John Lennon

I was saddened this week to learn that an online friend, Miss Judy Glende, lost her battle with cancer. I can remember vividly reading about her abrupt diagnosis with a malignant and inoperable melanoma in her lungs back in early December. It all happened so quickly. My thoughts and prayers are with her family as they cope with this tragic loss.

Miss Judy was a gifted artisan jewelry designer with a style that I admired and a giving spirit that drew people to her. She could take the most amazing vintage treasures and breathe new life into them, adding her own special touches with her amazing etched copper pieces. She was a published author who contributed her talents to some of the best publications out there. Judy will be sorely missed.

I had always wanted to have something of Judy's, so yesterday I went to both of her Etsy sites ~ Flap Your Wings and Judith B Designs ~ and I placed an order, complete with notes of condolence for the family. I guess I didn't realize that her shops would still be open while she was ill, but I have found out that her husband Ed was keeping them going. I am in no hurry to get these things, and truthfully, if they  never found time to send them I would be okay with that too. It is just one small thing that I could do to show support for someone who always had a kind and encouraging word for me, someone I admired.

{one of the etched copper pieces that I purchased - embrace change}
I purchased two of Miss Judy's etched copper pieces. My intention is that I will make a piece inspired by Miss Judy herself. When I do, I will find out where the family would like donations made in Judy's honor and either sell it or auction it off with the money directed there. I will keep you posted when I receive the pieces and get inspired.

{sow seeds of love ~ march 2012 simple truth sampler club}
My good friend, Miss Rebecca Anderson of Songbeads, was so moved by this news that she started creating a necklace in Miss Judy's honor. She added art beads from all over, including the newest Simple Truth Sampler for March that she just received.
{stronger than death - by rebecca anderson - watch for the Flap Your Wings blog hop that many are participating in on April 14th
This month being so very warm, unseasonably really (I keep wondering when winter will actually arrive. This is Wisconsin. I have seen snow in June.), I have thoughts of flowers and sunshine. Tulips are my sister's favorite and their simple regal shapes always make me think of my beautiful sister Kelly. The words "sow seeds of love" just came to me as I was making them. Sometimes that is how it happens, the inspiration just strikes when I am playing with the design.

After the fact I started thinking about what that means ~ "sow seeds of love" ~ and so I offer you some
ideas on what that means to me.

When we bring love to everything we do, we can change the world. From the tiniest actions, the smallest seeds, great things can grow. When you plant that seed of love, however small that seed may be, more seeds will be born to be sown again. Sort of like a ripple of a pebble in a pond, each seed gets blown on the wind to touch the lives of those we may never meet.

So what are these seeds that we sow with great love? They do not need to be grand nuts of immense sacrifice. The best seeds are the ones that are small...
  • Smiling at those we pass on the street...
  • Sending a quick email or a little note on the Facebook wall of a friend who is in our thoughts...
  • Picking up a piece of litter on the sidewalk instead of stepping over it...
  • Cleaning up the dishes that are inevitably strewn over every flat surface in my house most days (my kids don't read my blog, but if they do, maybe I will plant that seed ;-)...
  • When the telemarketer calls just trying to do her job, I can be polite and patient in letting her know my wishes instead of curt and angry...  
Each of these actions is planting a seed that can grow into more love and respect, and hopefully be blown on the wind to touch someone else with its simple beauty. It is like that commercial where each person witnesses someone else doing something nice for another complete stranger and then passing on that courtesy to the next person they meet, eventually coming full circle. Each time a seed of love is sown, another sprout grows from the first seed, another ripple flows out widening the circle.


Today I am going to be mindful of planting seeds of love in honor of the seeds that Miss Judy herself planted for so many of the people whose lives she touched, many that she may never have even known.

I just noticed on the side bar of Miss Judy's blog there reads this quote:

"When I stand before God at the end of my life,
I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say,
'I used everything You gave me.'"
~ Erma Bombeck

I couldn't have said it better myself.

RIP Judith Glende. We will miss you.

What seeds of love have you planted today?

15 comments:

Alice said...

A beautiful post Erin--one that I'm sure Judy would love. I didn't know Judy personally, but I visited her blog frequently, and visited through email occasionally. But I did think of her as a wonderful blog friend. I was lucky to have purchased a few pieces before she was diagnosed, and still have them in my stash. I wasn't sure if her etsy site was still open. I might have to break my bead diet and make a purchase.

Michael and Cherrie Fick said...

As always beautifully written. I did not know Miss Judy myself but I remember her designs. She was the Designer Highlight the month before me last year. Cancer is sometimes long and so very hard on the person and the family. My brother died of bone cancer and it was a gruesome death. I only hope that her battle gave her time to spend time with family and say her goodbyes. She is out of pain now. Another special person from our community. May the people she touched be at peace.

Rosanne said...

You are such a wise woman. I love reading your blog. I will endeavor to sow seeds of love dailey, sometimes I forget to be kind and patient...xoxox

Lupe Meter said...

Such a sweet post! And great words of wisdom! I didn't know Judy personally but I know her work was exceptional. So sorry she lost her battle to cancer. She will be missed by many.

Lola said...

Oh the many seed of love you've planted with just this one, beautiful post Erin. Beautiful! By the way, tulips are MY sister's favorite flower too and today I spent a few hours at her home waiting for her new stove to be delivered. Yes I helped her out, but being at her house gave me the opportunity to relax and work on a current bead crochet project instead of cleaning my house. Win Win seed sowing right there! Now I'm off to kick myself for not being a part of the sampler club this month ... =D

Unknown said...

I am so sorry for your loss too my sweet Miss Erin. I can feel your sorrow in your words and wish I could be right there to help ease it. As a survivor of Melanoma I (although I didn't know her) grieve for her family and friends but I also know she left a pretty sweet spot on all your hearts. I have always done the things you list on your daily sowing. I know a smile can warm the hardest of hearts.

Beth Hikes said...

This is so said about Judy and what a sweet way to remember her spirit. I love the necklace Rebecca created in honor of her using your pendant. The colors are amazing. Also, your little seeds of love, things that are so simple yet easy to overlook have me glancing around wondering what I can do to brighten another person's day. Thank you for the remembrance! xoxo Beth

cw whitedogjewelry said...

Once again, a beautifully written post Erin. It is the small things in life that make a big difference. 'so easy to do, each and everyday. Thanks for your words of wisdom. Life is indeed to short.
Chris

Kim Stevens said...

It's always so sad to hear that someone lost their life...even when I don't know them. And the seeds of love....yes Erin, we are powerful beyond measure!!

I love this new charm....you never cease to amaze me!!

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

All of your posts are wonderful...but this one really struck a chord with me. I followed her blog and was so inspired bh her creations. My father died of cancer...his favorite flower was the tulip....thank you for writing this today.

JeannieK said...

You are so thoughtful Erin. This post is a good reminder how blessed I am.

Therese's Treasures said...

Erin,
Your post is a wonderful tribute to your friend Judy. I did not know of her, but she sounds like she was a wonderful person and will be missed. Your charm is very pretty and a sweet message. I try to pass on little acts of kindness everyday. Yesterday I went to my local Humane Society and adopted a sweet little Chihuahua mixed boy.
Therese

Anonymous said...

Thank you all so much for your kind words as we mourne the loss of my amazing aunt, Judy. Her talent was amazing and I'm so happy so many people got to see it. She made me beautiful pieces thru out her time here. She even made my earrings and necklace for my wedding back in '09. They were absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, most of the family did not get the oppurtunity to say goodbye as this all happened so fast and we all live in MA and CT and she passed in TN. We will be having services in MA. We never got the oppurtunity to intruduce her to her 1st great nephew, he's just 6 weeks today, but I am convinced she came to check him out shortly after she passed. Again, thank you all for your kind words and support at this time.

Lisa Ferreira

SoulsFireDesigns said...

Oh Erin, I still can't believe such a warm spirit is gone! It's funny, this time of year is always hard for me. It should be joyful, with mine and my father's birthday, and Easter... but it is bittersweet. My Grandma Ruby passed my freshman year in high school in early Marsh and my great grandmother Madeline died on Easter day when I was in college. Both were women I loved and admired.

My Grandma Ruby was killed by cancer, she had several types at once... every time they thought they had gotten it all... it came back. Finally they said they couldn't do anything else for her and my mother went down to take care of her until she passed. The day she died my mother said that God had blessed my Grandmother before she died, because it rained, snowed, had strong wind, and then sun all within a few hours. She was not always an easy woman, but she was always so warm to my brother and I, she tried to show us how much she loved us and succeeded.
Grandma Madeline was ready to go, so while it was difficult, it was somewhat easier...
Ugh, I've taken up so much space here rambling. Thank you Erin, for this post, may Judy rest in peace and her family and friends feel her warmth in their hearts always.

Pretty Things said...

I used her maple leaf in my Bead Soup -- definitely going to auction that. I bought some of her pieces as well, but it doesn't matter if I get them -- I just want to feel her love.

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