Monday, June 18, 2007

I dedicate this hook to Sonny




Years and years ago when I was 4 and Sonny was 6 we lived up on Deadman Creek (we call it the Crick) on a ranch. We played carefree in those days, unaware of the hardships of life on the Crick.. poor was for the city folk who didn't have a Crick or a Ranch. Ah but we had spring fed water and on special occasions when the battery was charged, we had electric lights.
But we spent some of the most cherished and memorable times of our lives up there, playing in a spring that ran down the hill from the woods to the Crick. We'd float sticks along and look for frogs, and Sonny would keep us laughing.
Ah but years go by and folks grow up, and Sonny moved away. But his infrequent visits always had us laughing again and talking dreamily of the times we had up on the Crick. Sonny had a way about him. He had a serious side, i guess, but to us he was a constant source of laughter, even if he didn't have the intention. His voice and bright eyed smile couldn't help but be infectious.


Sonny died of lung cancer.

One of his most intense wishes always was to come back home to the Ranch. That wish was intensified as he became aware of his ever shortening life. Cancer didn't care. It took Sonny before he could come home.

But Sonny is home now. His ashes are in the monument we built, next to the little spring where we used to play. And though his memory still brings a smile, its always through a tear. And I don't spend a day working on the cabin there, that i don't think how fun it would be if Sonny was there helping.

So I dedicate this hook, and i know Sonny would approve, as our contribution toward a cure, that one day someone else's Sonny will not have to return home in such sadness and tears.

Sonny was a crafter, and made lots of fun things, and I'm sure he would approve of a hand made hook made to travel about on a mission to help find a cure for the disease that took him away.

So please, as you receive this hook and make your squares, think a bit of your own Sonny... I'm sure we all have them. You're doing a good and honorable thing in his memory by helping the folks who work for a cure.

Thank you so much for participating, and thank you for the honor you give me in starting this journal.

Jimbo

8 comments:

angelfire said...

Jimbo,that is a beautiful tribute. It is an honor to use the hook in Sonny's honor and in honor of myown family members and friends.

Joyce said...

Jimbo, I'm in tears here at work. Wow. What a lovely tribute. Thanks for sharing your story and it will be a pleasure to work with this marvelous hook on squares in honor of the Sonny's in my life.

Daisy said...

Jimbo, this tribute brings tears to my eyes and deeply touches my heart.
Cancer, in all its forms, touches us all, in one way or another. Cancer has taken several members of my family, so much so, that I always live in wonder as to when my turn will come.
I am humbled and honored to be participating in this project. It certainly holds special meaning for me.....in many ways.

TX CrochetLover said...

Jimbo, thank you for sharing memories of your friend.

Your dedication will inspire us all as we hook for a cure.

God bless you.

KK said...

Jimbo, thank you for sharing your story with us. What a great tribute this cause is to your friends and millions like him.

Wendy said...

Thank you so much for this post. My mom passed away 10 years ago. She died of breast cancer. I've been thinking about her a lot lately and I can understand how doing something like this will really help to honor your loved one. He sounded wonderful; I bet he and my mom would have been fast friends if they had ever met.

loopy1 said...

Jimbo, what a beautiful tribute to start the Traveling Hook II on its journey. Thank you so much for sharing your friend, Sonny, with us. We will all think of him and all the Sonny's in our lives as we use this hook you have hand-crafted in his honor.

Needle Arts said...

It is exciting that our hook is underway. I've been trying to decide on a pattern -- but my heart keeps saying "keep it simple". Cancer has touched many within my family over several generations. So, in their honor, my squares will be multicolored in memory of each type of cancer that invaded their lives. My first square will be in member of my Mom who passed in April. For many years she survived both breast and bowel cancer -- my yarn is beside my favorite chair and in her basket. This will truly be a labor of love.