War and Peace and Knitting

74 Years ago today, at the very hour that I’m writing this, the Japanese military machine was in the last moments of preparation before attacking Pearl Harbor, near Honolulu, Hawaii. By the end of that day, word of the human and strategic losses would spread around the world and lead to the US entering World War 2.

It’s interesting to consider that moment in history as I work to keep up with the current news of ISIS, ISIL, and all the rest.  The strongest thread I discover is that people remain generally the same. There are radicals and moderates on all sides.  There are those who resort first to fear, or anger. There are those who call for action. In the background, there are always those who listen, assess, then quietly get to work. I love stories I find of knitters who are strongly in that last camp.

Knitting was firmly in the national spotlight in 1941; in fact, just 2 weeks before the Pearl Harbor attacks, the November 24 Life Magazine cover story was “How to Knit” and encouraged Americans to “knit your bit” for the war effort. I love that our beloved craft was right out there in the public eye.

As you navigate the difficulties of modern life, remember that this is not new, nor are you alone in your worries, your fears, or your strong emotions. Others have gone through similar scenarios and when it comes to personal behavior during times of war, disaster, and other upheaval,  we can learn from past successes, mistakes and responses.

The quote that is my email signature comes from Helen Keller, and more than ever, during the times I feel overwhelmed, sad, angry or powerless, it can spur me to shift my attitude and act for the good of my own family, my community, and perhaps, the larger world. Knitting is perfect for this kind of personal-yet-meaningful action in the face of events beyond our control.

I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.

It’s my hope that your yarn and needles will be what you need them to be right now, whether means of comfort, tool of protest, or agent of change.

Let us know!