"Courage"

A special bag today; one that I would really like to see go to someone involved in Africa- whether through adoption, past or present work experience, or any old way. I've received such lovely e-mails from people who tell me that these bags have special meaning to them because of their multiple connections to the people of Africa.
This bag really is special. The centre piece of the flap comes from my sister Mary who used to work in an international school in Ethiopia. It is a napkin and depicts a "tukel" (sp?) which is a round home common in Africa? The straps are from South Africa, also a donated piece; given to me by our local Doc, who has worked and lived in Africa as well. There is a piece of green batik that you can see just peeking out at the top of the flap. This was donated by Sheila, who purchased the recent bird bag. She donated the green piece, which originally came from Barundi. Unrelated, but contributing to the sense of community that this bag depicts; the brown on the strap is from a gargantuin donation through a couple in Winnipeg who managed to gift our project with some silk woven in Thailand; among other pieces which you will hear more about in future bags. The floral bit bordering the inside pockets is a wonderful piece sent by a blogger friend in London, England. Honestly, how come so many people are so generous and thoughtful?! Whatever happened to good, old-fashioned grinchiness and greed?!


Courage. Sometimes life will chuck something at you that requires stuff you weren't sure you had. That's when you're glad that you're not alone.
Encourage. What happens when you stick up for each other. Share your bread. Lend a hand. An ear. Whatever.


This also happens to be the bag that I was working on last Tuesday when citi tv came to do a little spotlight on the Darfur project for breakfast tv in Winnipeg, which airs today, August 6.
So, let's just theorize that your donation hits the mark and this bag lands up on your shoulder.

That makes you a freaking celebrity!!
And you're going to need some Courage.

Just remember that once you find your courage, slice it up and pass it around. Sometimes the guy beside you has just run out, and a bit of yours might just be the encouragement the Dr ordered.