Project Rain

To celebrate this amazing community of kind and creative women on International Women's Day I want to tell you about project rain. First one of my favorite quotes by Mother Teresa :

"How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers. "

Just before christmas one of my dear blog friends found herself with a slightly bigger garden of flowers when her brother died of cancer . His wife and my dear friends parents had all died in a collision with a drunk driver the year before and so her brother's two children were without parents. Rane and her husband welcomed the chidren into their family and suddenly found themselves with six chldren , four of them under the age of 4.

Out of this came the idea for Project Rain. I wanted to show Rane how much she is loved and part of a very caring community of creative women . I sent out emails to a small group all of whom I knew had great love in their hearts and who I knew would translate that into something beautiful for Rane and her children. I wasn't disappointed and it wasn't long before the parcels started arriving from all over the world.  A little trickle soon became a full fledged shower.

Some of the parcels came with little drawings on the outsides.

I waited until all the packages arrived from Lisa 

, , Cathy G, Elsita, ,Sonya , Cathy C., Patricia, Maya and Geninne. The fun part for me was opening up each parcel and experiencing first hand all the love and attention that went into each handmade or hand chosen item. I photographed them each individually and then took a group picture. I can't begin to describe what an amazing afternoon this was for me. The only thing better would have been to have been in the company of all these wonderful women. That last picture was my gift to Rane and her children. A fiber art piece of a mother tending her nest of 6 colorful eggs, a blue felt mother bird with a vintage lace apron and six colorful crocheted eggs with little rock chicks inside along with a quotation from C.S.Lewis that I just adore. "It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird . It would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary decent egg, you must be hatched." Each egg comes with a string attached with a little message " pull the string to hatch a surprise" . If you do as asked the crochet will unravel and your little chick is hatched. That message on the package just about sums up the relationships I have made through this blog and flickr and I know that although I didn't call on each and everyone of you to assist with this project I am sure that if I had almost all of you would have been as kind and generous and creative as these eight women were and who knows one day I might ask you to help out in a similar situation. Here are the final images the group shot and the fantastic card that Geninne designed for the gift. I just thought of a little way you can all participate. Please leave a comment showing your love and support for Rane, her husband and six wonderful children and I will ask Rane to pick a name from the comments in the wee hours of Wednesday morning ( her flickr name is iremembersleep) . The winner will get their own little chick to hatch in their choice of egg color.

Comments

[Rane]

A friend who is far away is sometimes much nearer than one who is at hand. Is not the mountain far more awe-inspiring and more clearly visible to one passing through the valley than to those who inhabit the mountain?
Kahlil Gibran

Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life.
Christiane Northrup

Thank you for everyones support.
And thank you for the friends
I have made and the friends
I have yet to make.
I do not have a way with words
that many have so I will
just say what feels right,
simple but exactly how I feel.
Thank you.

May love bless all that grace
this blog.
Rane and Family.
~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I now know Love completely...
*thank you*

[Elsita :)]

I was telling Rane that, as women, we are all connected through an invisible thread of love.
That thread in your hands, Margie, has become a beautiful work of art called Project Rain. This kind of rain should never stop. We should always support each other because that's what keep us strong as a community. It is amazing what a little drop of love at a time can do.

Rane, you're not alone and you have all our support. My Mom raised 4 children, all by herself, with no money , no emotional support from anybody and today she is proud of what she did for all of us. It was extremely hard but nothing important is easy.

Your children will grow up and in the future they are going to consider you a hero, that's how I see my Mom, she is my hero.

I want to send a big hug to you and to every member of your family. These are hard times, I have no doubt about it, but again, you are not alone and our love and support will always make you smile.

Lots of love!!!!!!
Elsita :)

[CatherineinFrance]

of course we would all like to support Rane. Please ask her if she would like to give me her address and I would be delighted to send her a bunch of little French things for the children (age ?)
I LOVE your blog by the way !

[melissa]

wow, margie. this is a beautiful post- much love to your friend rane, and to all of these amazing women who are supporting her. xx

[Laura]

What a special post, and such a wonderful project.

Women throughout the world are connected like wells. They run deep and are nourished by the underground stream that connects each well with every other well.

Today I am sending all women nourishment and strength, for courage, resilience and endless love for each other and those in their care through the conduit of the underground stream.

Blessings every one. Especially Rane. My sympathies for your losses, and my love for your future as you grow in your bountiful love for your family.

[bluemountainsmary]

Oh my.

I am without words.

The most beautiful blessings on Rane and her family and to Margie and all who sail with her in her lovely blog.

[logos63]

...oh, Margie, what a great way to celebrate the International Women's Day! My little daughter Federica and me would be so happy to make, with out hands, some little gifts for Rane and her special, beautiful family: could you be so kind to let me know her address? :o***

[Karen Salva]

Margie, what a beautiful project and shower of love. I knew I gravitated toward you for a reason. Sadness filled me with the story of loss this family has suffered but to learn about Rane and her big heart fills my heart. I know there will be several people who will want to help out now, these things have a way of becoming a major "downpour" of love. If you have not already thought of it maybe there is a way to set up a donation for college funds or a link the children might already have for such. I know I would donate.

To Rane: You were handpicked for this great mission of love. I am so deeply sorry for the loss in your life. Whenever it rains I will send you a prayer. If there is ever anything else you need I would be willing to help as well. There is a connection among women and mothers that unites us all. I have only one child, but would love six. You are blessed to be surrounded by all this love. Much strength Rane, it will all work out beautifully.

[Melissa R]

What an amazing family. They are going to be extra grateful and respectful of life. And not just go through it casually. Not just take it for grated. They will feel blessed to have the support and love that has become their lives. All of them. What a terrible yet warming story.

[suzewearsshoes]

Rane, reading your story for the first time brought tears to my eyes. What you have done for your family is overwhelming and beyond words. I have such admiration for you.

[Chistina J.]

Rane, you are an amazing person and all of your children are very fortunate to have you. This story brought tears to my eyes and love to my heart.

[kabailly]

une pluie de cadeaux , alors là tu es tres gatée !

[julochka]

a story filled with kindness and goodness. it totally brought tears to my eyes on a sunday afternoon. rane's story is indeed an amazing one. how fortunate she is to have such fantastic bloggy friends.

[Marianne Wille]

What a sweet project. I imagine a house full of 6 children would be a magical and fun place....of course, I love children. Rane and her husband sound like they have so much love to give too....just like these women who sent such lovely gifts.
I can pick out Elsita's gift but who made the lovely knit mouse and piece of cheese? It is adorable! I would love to know...

[Melissa de la Fuente]

How absolutely beautiful, kind and generous. I am not surprised considering all the amazing women that were involved. You all are amazing and what a wonderful thing to have done! wow.
xo
Melis

[nanou]

What happened to your family, Rane, is so sad ... But all this LOVE is so big ! The love of you and your husband to all of your children ... and the love of Margie and other wonderful bloggyfriends who feel concerned by other women.
As there are never too many flowers, I would like to send you some of my soft flowers ... (where could I send them ?)
Thank you, Margie, for this warm Women's Day, and for bringing all this love around you.

[lefiligree]

this is an amazing glimpse of amazing women around the world, and the amazing families they come from and create. one of my greatest friends has said to me during my own family's time of trauma that when we show our cracks the light can shine in. i am honored to read about your own network of love and care, and the warm light you are shining into a pretty tragic crack.

for rane and her husband i wish all the strength, love, and patience that they will need thru this immense loss in their family. they are heroes to those 6 children. hope they can soak up all the love and support that comes their way. ::: j. sweetman

[Bunny]

God bless you, Rane and family. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. xo

With love from Newfoundland,

"Bunny"

[abby]

This is so beautiful and heart-filled I am teary eyed. I did not even realize it was International Womens's Day, and what better way to share in this, than with some of my favorite women. I do not have a lot of women friends close by and really value the level of sharing that can take place here from such distances. Rane, there is a wealth of love and support for you and your family! You are amazing to share your love, energy, time, home and creativity so fully.
With Love and appreciation, Abby

[Margaret Oomen]

The photographs of the gifts can be attributed to the following raindrops in order of appearance: Patrica, Maya, Cathy C, Sonya, Elsita, Cathy G., Lisa, Geninne and Me. I have emailed Rane about the questions of her address and any trust or education funds for the children and will update this as soon as I hear back. Thanks so much for everyone's show of support for this wonderful family.

[Jennifer]

Dear Rane, I pray that you and your family can adjust quickly and that you will be filled to overflowing to take care of all your little birdies.

Jennifer

[Rane]

You all have humbled me like no
other experience can. I have
a renewed energy and strength
in being a mother, thank you all
dearly for your support and love.
There has never been a time in
History than now that so much love
and support could be give or
received for what I have done.
I feel I did what everyone of you
would have done. Taken your
family under your wing. Thank
you ........ your love has warmed
the earth for me. I have a lot
to think about. And blessing to
count.
I love you all.
Hug the children in your families
for me as I will do for you to
mine.
Rane and Family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[silvia]

you are amazing!
Love for Rane and family

[Sam]

Margie, this is such a wonderful thing that you organised. It is only by sharing ourselves that we can help others.

Rane, I am so sorry for the losses you and your family have suffered. I know that sometimes it will be difficult, but the larger the family, the more love there is to share.
Best wishes to you and your family.

[Laura A.]

What a generous and talented group of women! You continue to show the world that one small act can change the world.

[Amber]

It is so wonderful to experience (even if it is via a computer) such unconditional, pure love.

When I was younger, my family was friends with a couple who had a 3 year old. The father was in a wheelchair and was much older and when the mother became pregnant with triplets, we all wondered how they would cope.

My mum and I use to go around once a week and help feed the babies and toddler, read them stories, put them to bed.
We looked forward to those nights as they were so fun and happy and busy.

When the triplets were only 1 years old, the father died of a massive heart attack and shortly after the mother got breast cancer and was bed ridden for much of her days. The community stepped up their time and generosity and helped in any way they could. Neighbours got to know each other and everyone becoame quite close.

Only a year later, the mother died and all of the 4 children were sent to a family member, who already had 4 children of her own to live. We lost touch and my mum and I often wonder about them, but we hear that the children are all well and very close to each other.

I guess I just wanted to say to Rane and her husband to be open and welcome any support that comes your way. Often the giver gains as much from giving as you and your family will receive and your new clan will share and spread to much joy and love to others.

I wish you all the very best. Long and difficult journeys are often the most rewarding.xxx

[Cassandra]

what a wonderful testament to the kindness in the blog world. rane sounds like an amazing mama. with love.

[cathygaubert]

oh, the tears...of loss, of love for those we haven't had the pleasure to "meet" face-to-face, of possibilities, and tears for the joy the rane and her dear ones felt when that package and its contents lay opened on the floor of their home!

it goes without saying that i think that world of margie and the other women who were a part of this gift. it was not only a gift for rane and her family, but it was a gift to each of us, too.

the amazing love, compassion, and support of those of you who have read margie's account of rane's family story is not the least bit surprising. in fact, i expected no less. i am so honored to have been a part of this experience and a part of this whole community. at times, it all really takes my breath away.

and rane...i can only imagine how busy your life is. but if you can ever find the time, i would encourage you to begin a blog! it's evident from your comments here, on margie's blog, that you have so much to give (and your kiddos, too. and i'm guessing that "mr. rane" is a pretty awesome guy in his own right!).

and now maybe i should quit hogging the comments here and go finish my own blog post!

thank you again, margie!!! if there is ever an opportunity for us all to meet, our family's home along bayou lafourche is more than ready to accomodate the masses!
xxx

[Anna]

This is so beautiful and uplifting and inspiring. Go Margaret! And may Rane have all the strength and love she needs to raise her brood.

[Sonya]

I am so happy to have been part of this, a very tangible display or love and creativity. You are in all of our hearts Rane.

[Di]

What a wonderful gesture...once again the craft world coming together to do something beautiful, demanding nothing in return.....