Synopsis: For the second time, the young lady visits the old woman knitter to learn something more as she promised on her first visit. This time, it is about love. This story is the continuation of the 1st Visit: The Old Knitter Speaks of Dream, Peace and Happiness. Read what happened on the first visit here.
“The city is always moving and changing day by day.” She thought as she gazed from the window of the bus that will transport her down town where the old woman knitter lives. She could not stop thinking deeper than she usually does since the old woman taught her about dream, peace and happiness. She now sees what she typically doesn’t. The young lady realized that she is now paying more attention to life.
It was the longest three days of her life, waiting for the day of her second visit to the old knitter. Today, she is set to see her again. And she is excited for two reasons — to see how beautiful the knitted scarf and mittens are, and to hear more of what this old woman has to say.
The old woman knitter started preparing a hot chamomile tea. She knows that the young lady will arrive any moment. She was stirring the boiling tea when there came three knocks on the door. Quickly, she filled the cup with hot tea, placed it on the small wooden round table standing near the rocking chair, and finally reached for the door.
“You are a little early, my dear,” greeted the old woman on a bright merry face. Before the young lady could say anything, she invited her inside and offered the cup because tea is best when it is hot.
The old woman sat on her wooden rocking chair and laid the knitted scarf and mittens on her lap. She glanced at them with full of sentiments.
“Every garment I knit, I always have to deal with my feelings before I could to let it go. I get attach to them. Every time I knit, I immerse myself deep in every creation. I always forget that my knits are already owned by somebody else even before I start working on it. I own every creation even if I know that it is not for me.” She said to the young lady while caressing the soft knitted garments.
Goosebumps ran from her neck down to her spine while listening to the old woman’s words. But the young lady managed to say something.
“Because you knit with love. Even if I did not see you knitting until it was finished, I could feel that every stroke of needles and curling of yarns, your love flows through it. They are so beautiful and comforting not only because you are a master knitter, but because you also implanted love on it. I’m sure my mother will be happy to wear them.”
It was again a sunny day and the old woman looked up to the sky over the glass window.
“Before you departed from your first visit, I promised that I will tell some more about love when you come back.
“A lot of people do not know what they are passionate about. And for now, you are one of them. But that doesn’t make you less of a person. I am no better than you just because I know that I love to knit, while you do not know what to study in the university. We are all equal in love. You asked me to knit garments for your mother, that is an act of love. I knit because this is what I love. We seem different but same in love.
“It is important to do what we love, but it is more important to do things because we love.
“Don’t be discouraged if things are not clear for you yet. But if you keep paying attention to life, you will be able to listen deeper and you will hear its voice. It will whisper to your heart what you should do and how you should do it.” The old woman explained.
The mild aroma of chamomile tea is calming. The young lady took one more sip before she uttered what was in her mind.
“I get impatient with myself sometimes. Of waiting until I hear that voice from life. But I discovered that the antidote for impatience is also love. Whenever I affirm myself that as long as I do things because of love, I am doing the right thing. Then my impatience goes away.”
The old woman did not expect these words from her. She’s starting to get it, she thought.
“Love is the most powerful thing in this world. It gives us direction, clarity, healing and salvation. Love is everywhere. When problems hit us, the only way out is love.
“A struggling mother can overcome everything because of the love she has for her child.
“People suffer from anxiety and depression because they missed out how to love themselves. And the only way to bring our sanity back from all these battles is through the way of love. The meaning of love is difficult to grasp, but someday you will understand.
“To love is not easy. But love is the reason we live. I know that what I told you is confusing and not enough. No one can explain or teach us what love really means until we experience it for ourselves. Your experiences will show you what it is. So keep your heart and mind open,” the old woman recounted.
She handed the knitted scarf and mittens to the young lady. It was perfectly knitted on a nice shade of old rose and soothing color of cream. She is used to this — letting go of her every beloved knitted piece. But every time she does, it still shakes her soul.
“Try to always see love as you travel in life. Receive my blessings,” the old woman bid goodbye.
***
The sun is still up. The knitted garments on her lap are soft and relaxing to the senses. The bus is moving at a constant speed and the view from the window is constantly changing.
The old woman is right. Love is everywhere and I can only see through it if I pay attention to life. She thought.
Love is mysterious. Just like the old woman.
Read the story of the young lady's first visit here: 1st Visit: The Old Knitter Speaks of Dream, Peace and Happiness
ABOUT THE WRITER:
Madylene Tuazon is a writer and the founder of Creative Thoughts. Her mission in life is to co-create valuable works through writing and encourage creative people to embrace their gifts and share it to the world.
She says, “There is a strong urge from the core of my soul that I have to let my thoughts, wisdom and stories out through a platform that is accessible by people all over the world.”
She is from Manila, Philippines.