From the Editor

The climate of needlework is a nurturing one where we feel safe and where our creative longings are understood. Needlework is the thread that binds us all together. Why then, did the hair on the back of my neck stand up when this issue was being completed? It was brought to my attention that we have two different cultures on our covers and maybe there would be some sort of misunderstanding. However, I believe that the two covers co-exist beautifully. Needlework is the thread that binds us all together.

The tapestry of our history is woven with colors from all over the world. When plied with knowledge, they combine to weave a vibrant harmony of design. Needlework is the thread that binds us all together.

I often wonder why we have so much trouble in even attempting to find a world-wide harmony. Will we ever achieve world peace? Will we even achieve peace within our own neighborhood? Needlework is the thread that binds us all together.

I keep thinking about a little boy, John Lukomski IV, by name. I see the sweet and trusting face and the pure innocence in the eyes of this creative child. My neck is wrinkled and my middle is too thick, but he doesn’t seem to notice. John just looks forward to our playing on the computer, reading poetry and building the most wonderful sand castle on the beach every summer. John doesn’t care if my skin is wrinkled, stretched, white, black, yellow, red or even pink or purple! He is not concerned whether I call my Supreme Being God, Allah, Mohammed, Jehovah, Buddha, or a host of other names. John is seeing me for the person I am inside. When will we learn? Needlework is a thread that binds us all together.

There is a secret spot inside each one of us. You know the place - that chamber where no one else is welcomed and where we entertain a host of doubts and questions. Will my best be good enough? What if I fail? What if people see the real me? Nagging doubts and fears dwell in each of us. And, when the fear gets big enough, we look for people to blame and old prejudices rear ugly heads. When will we learn? So, I stop and take a breath...step back and stitch for a while. It isn’t long until a beautiful peace fills me. Needlework is the thread that binds us all together.

I wish that I could change the world and wave a magic want to erase prejudices, war, hunger and all the ills of our world. I wish that I could help to bring a world peace. But I am only one...just one person with one vote. What can I do? Needlework is the thread that binds us together.

What can I do? I can respect the dignity of every living thing. I know there is a Higher Order. I can respect the right of each person to call this Higher Order by the name of choice. I can learn about others and appreciate the rich heritage that flows from every culture. I can try to meet everyone’s eyes and I can try to be kind. I can try to remember that the person who needs the most love is always the one who is the hardest to love. And I can do everything in my power to help to bring a thing of beauty to those of us who love needlework because needlework can be the thread that binds us together.

Let me remember that needlework is like the mighty ocean...constant, but ever-changing. Let us learn from the past and take what history hands to us, shape this image with imagination and techniques of excellence and then hand it to future generations. Needlework is the thread that binds us all together.

Joyce

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Last Updated November 24, 2004