National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Last month, in honor of National Crochet Month, the online group known as Crochet Partners hosted an essay contest for their members.  Over fifty people entered this contest (including myself) that wrote about why crocheting means so much to them. 

They announced the winners today, and in reading the entries, I can see why it was so difficult to choose.  I'd like to invite you, my readers, to get a fresh cup of coffee or tea, sit back and read all the entries -- even inviting you to ponder why crochet means so much to you.  To read the entries, click here.

While we're at it, I'd like to highlight that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.  The other day Sheila of "Just Another Hooker" added a comment to an entry I wrote about crocheting something for charity in honor of the Pope.   She said we should also consider crocheting for a child ... so, I thought to help promote this great idea that I'd include a link to a webpage filled with crochet patterns to create items especially for children:  Crocheted Toy Links

Every child is precious and deserves to be loved.  Show them you care by taking the art form you love and crochet something, then donate it to a cause near you that helps children.  Then, if you have a child in your life, take a moment and give them an extra special hug; tell that child he/she is special and tell them why.

Then, keep this song by Foreigner in mind, from a child's perspective:

I gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I’m older

Now this mountain I must climb
Feels like a world upon my shoulders
I through the clouds I see love shine
It keeps me warm as life grows colder

In my life there’s been heartache and pain
I don’t know if I can face it again
Can’t stop now, I’ve traveled so far
To change this lonely life

I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me

I’m gonna take a little time
A little time to look around me
I’ve got nowhere left to hide
It looks like love has finally found me

In my life there’s been heartache and pain
I don’t know if I can face it again
I can’t stop now, I’ve traveled so far
To change this lonely life

I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me

I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
And I wanna feel, I want to feel what love is
And I know, I know you can show me

Let’s talk about love
I wanna know what love is, the love that you feel inside
I want you to show me, and I’m feeling so much love
I wanna feel what love is, no, you just cannot hide
I know you can show me, yeah

I wanna know what love is, let’s talk about love
I want you to show me, I wanna feel it too
I wanna feel what love is, I want to feel it too
And I know and I know, I know you can show me
Show me love is real, yeah
I wanna know what love is...