Thanks to EngAGE Northwest Program Director Pauline for #MakingADifference and sharing this story.
Last month, I introduced needle felting to my community’s craft class. While the demonstration and instructions were starting, resident Kristi reluctantly walked in to join the group and immediately said the project looked too difficult for her. So, we worked together, taking each step slowly, to create a rainbow flower. Kristi said it was hard to use the sharp needle and coordinate her movements, but she kept working. After an hour, she had mastered the skill and felt so proud.
The next week, Kristi was the first to show up for class. I was still setting up the materials but was excited to see her gathering supplies and beginning to work. She worked carefully and quietly, not asking any questions. After about an hour she proclaimed that she was done. She held up her work to share it with the group, beaming with pride: a fish with bubbles. Her lovely piece of artwork required focus and resilience, yet she faced the challenge and was successful. It was exciting to see her joyful transformation, thanks to this new opportunity to create art.
