March 28, 2024

“Hot Stitches”

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The sign “Hot Stitches” is on the wall in the Rehoboth Senior Center. I had not noticed it until last Tuesday. The sign tells a wonderful story.

Katherine, Ann, Maureen, and Sandy are the “stitchers”. They give so much of their precious time and talent to create beautiful things like pillows, baby blankets, little doll figurines, hot pockets, etc. All the fabric is donated to the senior center; they do not waste a thing.

Ann is so organized. She seems to know where everything is. She and Katherine are always in the sewing room when I arrive on Tuesday for my weekly “Soup and Sandwich”. Ann gobbles her lunch and runs back to sew.

Katherine has a side career. She helps in Bill’s kitchen, sometimes making a dessert for Monday’s lunch or chopping veggies for Tuesday in Gert’s Café. She also clears tables and waits on others.

Maureen is so enthusiastic. She takes things home in order to finish them. Sandy just seems to sew and sew, muttering about the d-— sewing machines.

How do I fit into this scenario? I met Katherine and Ann when I attended my first luncheon at the senior center. I had just moved from another state. At almost 88 years old, I found it hard to transition and make new friends. Katherine and Ann (fast friends from high school days) were so gracious to me, a stranger. I informed them quickly that sewing is not my thing. I told them about a time in grammar school when the teacher noticed my clumsiness and, to save face, she had me read Pollyanna as the other girls sewed. They let me into their “sanctuary” one Tuesday after lunch and showed me how to pin and stuff pillows.

I noticed the conversation was on sewing, the sewing room, and the upcoming events where they sell their creations to support the Rehoboth Senior Center. One of these events is coming up on October 21st and everyone is scrambling.

These ladies are so dedicated and I thought their story should be told. They love their work and are so good at what they do.

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