I had a telephone-book-thick coloring book when I was six years old. It had random drawings and some activities like connect the dots. There was a two-page layout with a couple of men spelunking. It wasn’t My Little Pony or anything. I was only allowed to color the pages in order.
Oh I wanted so badly to skip ahead to the ONE nice, KIND OF girly drawing of seahorse.
Nope. Seriously?!
That book was colored from cover to cover and in order. I can appreciate what my mom was doing, teaching me discipline and patience.
There is a Korean fable about a seamstress who was the best in the country. When asked what her secret was, she said, “I use a short thread.” She would have to re-thread the needle and knot a million times per garment. It kept her patient and careful, never making a mistake.
Knitting is my new coloring book.
bryna says
Jealous that you can knit. I used to crochet occasionally but it was hard to be patient and I would always lose count and have to start over… which didn’t help my patience… 🙂 Also, what a beautiful picture of your baby bump!
Christina Warren says
Oh, totally. I have a bunch of unfinished crocheted pieces! HA! With this project, I have a goal and a deadline-the birth! So I hope that is the motivation I need. Knitting has its challenges but I feel like it’s easier to stay even with tension (you have the sticks) and there are only a few options of where to go next. It really took me taking a class to get going! I want to knit for my great grand babies….hopefully this little hands keep going! Thank you!
Jessica (Coco/Mingo) says
Oh, I’m excited to see some of your knitted pieces! Geez…I am SO not patient. As much as I have a pretty cool exterior, living in NY has definitely made my tolerance for patience very very low. LOL
Christina Warren says
Interesting! You know, here in LA I feel like the patience factor is waaay lower than in Seattle or San Diego. I see it in the driving! I’m still trying to get the hang of it! Everyone must think I’m like 80 years old on the road. Seattle really slowed me down!
michele s says
Welcome to the glorious world of knitting! If you are on ravelry.com (which you should be if you are a knitter) please friend me, i’m mitchypoo on there too. At first I said, aw, how sad, that you had to color in order, but i also see what your Mom was teaching you, and maybe I needed some of that too!
Christina Warren says
YeeehaaaWWW!! Thank you, Michele! I will have to check out revelry. I’ve totally heard of it. I’m one of those people who eases into hobbies one step at a time. The websites are next!!! AHAHAHAHH! There was a woman who stopped by the shop where I was knitting yesterday and she had made her young son a whole basket of knitted/stuffed fruit and veggies. The banana even had a zip-off peel! What do you make?! I will surely find you once I get to the site!!!!! BTW…is that coloring book story like child abuse? lol
Rebecca says
You have a LOT more patience than I.
Christina Warren says
🙂 It CAN be learned! Kind of. Thank you! I’m always trying to be more patient. I am much more impatient as a pregnant lady though! 😉
Dee says
Loved this post – the way you wrote the post and conveyed such great lesson/message – perfection! I love little childhood moments that convey adult life lessons.. Looking forward to reading more! Thanks for stopping by Routes & Wings today!! Happy Wednesday!!
Christina Warren says
AW thank you, Dee. I hope I can remember all the wonderful stories/tales my mom told me so I can pass them on.
Diana Me'chelle says
i’m pretty patient with most things in life, but for whatever reason, I am not patient for knitting or crocheting or anything of that nature.. I get bored too easily but I think it would be an amazing de-stressor 🙂 I read to destress with a cup of tea 🙂
totally loving the baby bump! 😀
Christina Warren says
Aw, thank you, Diana! Knitting is like one of those hobbies for someone who is obsessive and results driven! You have to be in order to ever finish a project! Please wish me luck! A cup of tea!? That is glorious! What a healthy release!
jackie jade says
i’m the most impatient person ever, but working on learning patience. love the bump photo!
Christina Warren says
You crack me up! Thank you! Hey, the world needs yin and yang! ha!
Rowena @ rolala loves says
Look at that gorgeous bump! My husband always teases me about my lack of patience. Perhaps I should take up knitting again to help me with that LOL
Rowena @ rolala loves
Christina Warren says
You are so sweet! Thank you! I am always so impressed by the patience of my mother and grandmother and I aspire to be like them. It was so appreciated as a kid around them!
Meg @Life, Love and The Webers says
Your picture is stunning! I haven’t mastered patience…or knitting. Have a great Wednesday!
Christina Warren says
Thank you, Meg! I’m really trying different lighting and photography editing. My husband took this photo. The next step is Photoshop or Lightroom. I’m new to all of it and just use Gimp now (free online program). LOL thanks for your confession. I’m always working to improve my patience. The knitting circle noted how quickly I’d progressed in the class I’m taking and one woman said to me, “You know, you can’t rush that baby.” See, even in my discipline, I’m hurried!
Olivia says
I’m a huge fan of patience and discipline being PRACTICED in my life. It’s habit forming, right? You look lovely, sweet future mama!! And what are you making there?
Christina Warren says
OH, thank you, Olivia! I’m making a baby blanket. Practices like these help to ground me and give me strength in other aspects of my life. It IS habit forming. I am doing a little every day-even if it’s just a tiny bit.
The Grits says
Oh. No. Girl. I couldn’t knit to save my life.
Christina Warren says
LOL. It took many years to get to this goal in my life! I am really hoping I can finish this project before the kiddo comes!