at the first gathering of the group of women I toured Morocco with in April last year , I shared out strips of indigo-dyed cloth, and we each made a piece of string to tie around our wrists. Mine is worn and a little bleached now, but still going strong.
Ahh I love that, India -- what a beautiful ritual to begin your trip with 💙 When I traveled full-time, I loved wearing friendship bracelets I'd either been given or had found in all my favorite places. It's such a lovely reminder of the magic of a journey, isn't it?
It is indeed, and I usually wear a multitude of bangles and bead bracelets on both arms, reminding me of people and places I love. I’ve temporarily removed the ones that can come off (several won’t because my hands have grown since I first put them on) so that my students can hear my voice when I’m filming (they do jingle !) but I’ll be putting them on again soon!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Lisa! I'm so happy you enjoyed this, especially the photo -- it just captured the magic of that day too perfectly to not include it :) ✨
Thank you so much, Mom -- and I love that it felt like a prayer to you, because I was absolutely thinking about the state of our world as that line came to me ❤️🤍
Than you for sharing this lovely tradition. My grandfather was from Bulgaria and we would receive martenitsa in the mail from his sisters every year. I now make them for my family and friends- we're still wearing ours!
Oh my goodness, Jill, this made my day to hear. Thank you so much for sharing your own connection to Bulgaria and martenitsa :) That adds another layer of meaning to this story for me now, thank you! ❤️🤍
As someone who wears all kinds of threads - sacred, as a colorful accessory, for peace - this post resonated with me so much. Such a sweet gesture and lovely story behind it!
Priyanka, I can't tell you how much I loved reading your comment -- so much so that it's inspired me to create a special post for this week, honoring the beautiful responses you and others have left here. Thank you so much for reading and being here, and especially for sharing about the sacred threads you wear ❤️🤍
Oh my, that means so much to hear, Candace! I so look forward to seeing the special post and encountering others' responses and how this post resonated with them.
Belgium is a surprising place, it seems, gathered from reading your stories. People so friendly, sharing their words. The flowers, acorns. And now this wonderful party with a united nations of mothers welcoming Spring and celebrating the birth of a spring child. With what's going on over here, the gathering of so many people from so many different nations is a bit of a miracle. What brings them all to Belgium?
Sue, I loved reading your comment, and I couldn't agree more with you -- it absolutely feels like a bit of a miracle, and it's one I'm so grateful to witness. Just like Jose and myself, most of the friends we've made in Antwerp are here for work reasons, and like I shared in this story, they're truly from all over the world!
I just looked up how many cultures are present in Antwerp, as I've been told a few different numbers, and here's a great line I found that sums up our own experience of the city as well:
"The biggest city in Flanders, with 174 nationalities and more than 510,000 inhabitants, Antwerp is a metropolis with a small-town feel. Everyone knows each other and yet, visitors can quickly get a taste of all its styles, colours and flavours."
Thanks so much for reading and being here, Sue -- I always enjoy getting to share a slice of life from Belgium with you ❤️🤍
AHA! So Belgium is what used to be called Flanders. Or still is. Do you ever in your outings meet someone who still speaks Flemish? It's one of those dying languages of old Europe. Jacques Brel even wrote a song for Edith Piaf to sing that had a chorus written in Flemish. If it's still around somewhere, that would be a miracle too. (The song was part of the play, "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well, and Living in Paris.")
So many traditions like this are such a "building up of women" - I'm glad we haven't lost this entirely! What a fabulous way to walk through the month of March!
I loved reading your comment, Katharina, and love how you put it being a "building up of women" -- that was a big part of why this tradition resonated with me so much, especially the photo of Sevil and Marya's hands. Thank you for reading and being here! ❤️🤍
The world is full of goodness and joy. It’s everywhere in little traditions and acts of kindness, and sometimes, it’s in a couple of lovingly tied threads.
Why would we ever want to block it out with 600 channels of satellite tv?
at the first gathering of the group of women I toured Morocco with in April last year , I shared out strips of indigo-dyed cloth, and we each made a piece of string to tie around our wrists. Mine is worn and a little bleached now, but still going strong.
Ahh I love that, India -- what a beautiful ritual to begin your trip with 💙 When I traveled full-time, I loved wearing friendship bracelets I'd either been given or had found in all my favorite places. It's such a lovely reminder of the magic of a journey, isn't it?
It is indeed, and I usually wear a multitude of bangles and bead bracelets on both arms, reminding me of people and places I love. I’ve temporarily removed the ones that can come off (several won’t because my hands have grown since I first put them on) so that my students can hear my voice when I’m filming (they do jingle !) but I’ll be putting them on again soon!
This was beautiful! I loved learning a new tradition and that last line. Also I enjoyed the addition of a photo! Can’t wait for warmer weather
Thank you so much for your kind words, Lisa! I'm so happy you enjoyed this, especially the photo -- it just captured the magic of that day too perfectly to not include it :) ✨
"Two little threads that brought the world together."
Candace, your choice of words here is a prayer, at least for me.
If only "two little threads" could bring our world together. WOW.
Thank you so much, Mom -- and I love that it felt like a prayer to you, because I was absolutely thinking about the state of our world as that line came to me ❤️🤍
Than you for sharing this lovely tradition. My grandfather was from Bulgaria and we would receive martenitsa in the mail from his sisters every year. I now make them for my family and friends- we're still wearing ours!
Oh my goodness, Jill, this made my day to hear. Thank you so much for sharing your own connection to Bulgaria and martenitsa :) That adds another layer of meaning to this story for me now, thank you! ❤️🤍
As someone who wears all kinds of threads - sacred, as a colorful accessory, for peace - this post resonated with me so much. Such a sweet gesture and lovely story behind it!
Priyanka, I can't tell you how much I loved reading your comment -- so much so that it's inspired me to create a special post for this week, honoring the beautiful responses you and others have left here. Thank you so much for reading and being here, and especially for sharing about the sacred threads you wear ❤️🤍
Oh my, that means so much to hear, Candace! I so look forward to seeing the special post and encountering others' responses and how this post resonated with them.
Belgium is a surprising place, it seems, gathered from reading your stories. People so friendly, sharing their words. The flowers, acorns. And now this wonderful party with a united nations of mothers welcoming Spring and celebrating the birth of a spring child. With what's going on over here, the gathering of so many people from so many different nations is a bit of a miracle. What brings them all to Belgium?
Sue, I loved reading your comment, and I couldn't agree more with you -- it absolutely feels like a bit of a miracle, and it's one I'm so grateful to witness. Just like Jose and myself, most of the friends we've made in Antwerp are here for work reasons, and like I shared in this story, they're truly from all over the world!
I just looked up how many cultures are present in Antwerp, as I've been told a few different numbers, and here's a great line I found that sums up our own experience of the city as well:
"The biggest city in Flanders, with 174 nationalities and more than 510,000 inhabitants, Antwerp is a metropolis with a small-town feel. Everyone knows each other and yet, visitors can quickly get a taste of all its styles, colours and flavours."
Thanks so much for reading and being here, Sue -- I always enjoy getting to share a slice of life from Belgium with you ❤️🤍
AHA! So Belgium is what used to be called Flanders. Or still is. Do you ever in your outings meet someone who still speaks Flemish? It's one of those dying languages of old Europe. Jacques Brel even wrote a song for Edith Piaf to sing that had a chorus written in Flemish. If it's still around somewhere, that would be a miracle too. (The song was part of the play, "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well, and Living in Paris.")
Such a beautiful practice! And this expression of it so sweet and heartwarming.
Thank you for reading, Nicole! I'm so glad you enjoyed this ❤️🤍
I love that you share these inspirational moments and experiences through illustrations. You bring such color to our world.
Charlene, your kind words mean so much -- thank you for reading and being here! 🤍✨
To the threads that bind us together...
Yes! ❤️🤍
So many traditions like this are such a "building up of women" - I'm glad we haven't lost this entirely! What a fabulous way to walk through the month of March!
I loved reading your comment, Katharina, and love how you put it being a "building up of women" -- that was a big part of why this tradition resonated with me so much, especially the photo of Sevil and Marya's hands. Thank you for reading and being here! ❤️🤍
A true gift from the heart!
Indeed! ❤️🤍
The bracelet and the story behind it is so lovely
I'm so glad you enjoyed reading this, Jo ❤️🤍
i loved all the illustrations and how you are connecting to all these people around the world. Your words are so beautiful.
Thank you so much, Dad 😊 I'm so glad you enjoyed this!
Love this!
Thank you, Sarah! ❤️🤍
What a lovely way to start my day-reading this!
Thank you so much, Kari! I'm so glad you enjoyed reading this ❤️🤍
The world is full of goodness and joy. It’s everywhere in little traditions and acts of kindness, and sometimes, it’s in a couple of lovingly tied threads.
Why would we ever want to block it out with 600 channels of satellite tv?
Switter, I couldn't love your comment more -- thanks so much for taking the time to share it, especially in the midst of your hike! 🙏🙏