Saturday, May 12, 2012

love in the shape of beanbags

While navigating some of Shu's sensory issues, I've done some reading about "heavy work" (great explanation here) and its therapeutic value.  He seems to enjoy and seek out activities that involve pushing and pulling and climbing, so I got to thinking about what else I could incorporate.  I mentioned several weeks ago to my friend Janet that heavy beanbags would be fun.

I had barely clicked "send" on the email when she replied "I sew!  I'd love to make you some!"

So guess what came in the mail yesterday?


Twenty-five of the most beautiful beanbag covers you've ever seen! 


She sewed them all, leaving a small velcro opening.  I depleted the store of 50 pounds of rice--sorry to the rice-lovers who shopped after I did--and we filled those bags.  FYI, if you're curious, they weigh two pounds each.  Therapeutically heavy, but still manageable for a toddler.


And I immediately put someone to work...ahem...I mean, PLAY!  



At one point I sat on the floor, a myriad of textures, colors, patterns surrounding me...this precious gift from my friend...and I began to cry.  I told the kids This is love. This is what my friend did for me because she cares about us.  (They've grown accustomed to their crazy, weepy mom.)  Pretty simple, right?  But I don't sew.  I could never have done this on my own, let alone make them so attractive!  I mean, really...have you ever seen such gorgeous beanbags???



My friend, with her own four children, one of whom is every ounce as challenging right now as mine, sacrificed her time and her gifts to minister to us in a very practical, tangible way.  A giant pile of love that suspiciously resembles beanbags.  May the Lord reveal daily to me and you the unique-to-us ways we can do the same...sewing not required!  Whew!

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”  --C.S. Lewis
A friend loves at all times, and a [sister] is born for a time of adversity.   Proverbs 17:17

10 comments:

anything but LoKEY said...

What a precious, precious gift!! I have recently been reminded what it means to be a truly loving friend too, when some of them did some self-sacrificing for us. Totally unasked! I am right there crying with you girl. :)

Rita and John said...

What a magnificent gift! That is friendship in action. I hope the beanbags are good for Shu.

Melissa Renno said...

Happy tears for you and that sweet gift! It's the little things that are actually the big things, huh? Happy Mother's Day to you!

Stephanie said...

Fabulous! I love how she ministered to you!

Krissy said...

Such a precious gift: to you, to shu, to the other 3 to see a tangible real life way Jesus meets our needs - and wants - and "I wish"es.

Such glorious blessings and treasures!

everythingismeowsome said...

What a precious friend! And what a great idea! My Matthew has the same sensory type issues and craves that heavy work. I need a friend who sews.....

M. said...

How precious of your friend!! And the bags are beautiful. I love that they even have different textures so you are working on multiple sensory issues at the same time. Looks like Shu LOVES them! I'm weeping right there with ya! Pass me a tissue~

Anonymous said...

Seriously, they are GORGEOUS! You've chosen your friends wisely, I see. ;-) And Shu looks overjoyed to have the beanbags (er, ricebags? lol) at his disposal. Too awesome!

nic said...

what a stunning example of fleshed-out love. those beanbags are beautiful.

Unknown said...

what a sweet friend. I Love those bean bags, so pretty.