June 10, 2015

RAOK

RAOK - Random Acts of Kindness.  Yesterday I was the recipient of a RAOK.

Every Tuesday I work at my LYS from 10-2 then go home for a few hours and return to teach an evening class.  While I was home I started working on another set of placemats on my loom.  My daughter interrupted me to show me something on Facebook which kind of left me with a sucker punch to my gut (long story not worth going into).

As I drove back to the store, I was ruminating on the news I had read on FB and was hurting in my heart.  I walked into the store and the owner was there to teach a workshop.  She took one look at my face and asked if I was okay - you see I don't have a poker face.  I kind of wear all my emotions all over my face.  So I told her the tale and decided to move on - isn't it amazing how sharing something takes the burden away?

Then she said someone had come into the store and anonymously purchased me a rigid heddle for my loom.  She handed me a 10 dpi heddle and said she was under strict orders not to reveal the identity of the donor.

After getting over the complete surprise of such a RAOK, I explained I had purchased one a few weeks ago and was in fact weaving with it right now.  Simple solution - switch it out for a 12.5 dpi heddle...now I have all the heddles to work with a variety of weight yarns!



My afternoon/evening went from hurting and heavy to feeling cared for and loved.  Kindness is such an important thing.  It is simple and it means so much.  One of the graduation speeches at our daughter's graduation this past weekend was about kindness - it is ours to give and sometimes when you need it, it ours to receive.

So, anonymous donor, thank you.  Your kindness means more to me than you can imagine.  

With that in mind, I'd like to pay it forward.  (BTW if you haven't seen the movie, Pay It Forward, it is well worth your time).  Leave a comment with your Ravelry ID saying which of my designs you would like, and on June 20th I will draw 2 names to receive a gift of my pattern.

Lastly, if there is a little something kind you can do today for someone, just do it!



13 comments:

Tall Cottage Thoughts said...

RAOKs are wonderful. How nice for you someone bought you the heddle.

In my opinion, any act of kindness is good for the soul, for the giver, and for the receiver.

Anonymous said...

RAOKs ROCK! My name on rav is amgoth2000 and I am a member of a group
called Random Acts of Kindness on rav, every now and again someone is kind
enough to gift me a little something in the group and since I am having
some issues financially I am so very appreciative :)

Your hats are lovely, I think I like Spiral Staircase Hat because it is
slip stitches colorwork and it's the only form of colorwork that I can do
so far heh

sparky136 said...

Love your patterns, especially the Spiral Staircase hat

sparky136 on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

Very cute pictures! :)

My favorites of your patterns are Beantown Beanie and Just One More Mitten. Beautiful!

Purlescence from Ravelry

Anonymous said...

Kindness is such an overlooked virtue in today's "grab and go" world that I am always happy to hear stories that it still exists!
I have a friend named Tiffany, so I would take the Tiffany Toque and knit it for here, as a ROAK and to Pay It Forward. LOVE that movie too, BTW.

Knittingdancer on Ravelry said...

Random Acts of Kindness are so nice to receive and give. My favorite pattern is the Tiffany Toque. Thank you for paying foward your RAK.
knittingdancer on Ravelry

Purple said...

What a happy-ending story!

I really like your twist and shout pattern.

Rav ID is purple

Lauren said...

Hi! I thank you for your generosity! I always do my best to help someone in any way I can. It makes me happy to see other people happy.

My username is craftylauren97, and my favorite pattern of yours is "Do you like my slouchy hat" http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/do-you-like-my-slouchy-hat .

I also wanted to add that your daughter is so so beautiful! She looks close to my age (I'm a rising college freshman) and I feel like we'd probably be friends if we went to the same college! I love her hair color and in all your photos she looks like a professional model :)

Anonymous said...

Hi
I really like all of your patterns really, but if I would have to cast on one right now it would be the cappucio cowl (I am obsessed with cowls).

It is very refreshing to know that there is kindness in the world!

I am craftink on ravelry!

Anonymous said...

What a perfect surprise to cheer you up again. It's as if the gift giver knew you were going to have a hard time that very day.

RAOKs are a perfect way to may the giver and receiver feel fantastic. It's my favourite thing to do, pay for parking or a coffee for the next in line.

How very kind of you to pay it forward and should I be lucky enough to win, I'd like Cappucio Cowl please.

Thanks

Lola-JoJo (Ravelry id)

Laurinda said...

What a wonderful RAOK! I like to give random people compliments, especially if they're looking sad or frazzled- I figure they can use a little lift 😊
I'm Laurpud on Rav (& pretty much everywhere else)

Laurinda said...

Hahaha-I forgot to add my favorite pattern! 😂 I like your Ready for College, best

Carmen N said...

Congratulations on the RAOK! I love hats and your Beantown Beanie is adorable :) (asimplehomestd on Rav)