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Greetings TSJ Friends,
Just for fun . . . .When you hear the word “scrap” what do you think of? Do you equate it with waste? Or with potential?
I grew up on a farm and I remember well that our dad had a “scrap pile” behind the barn.
From an aesthetic point of view, the farm scrap pile was more like scrap without the s and I sure did not think of it as a “potential.” It looked like junk to me. Until . . . the day it didn’t. One day I saw potential in an object. I have written about this before but I will remind you in a minute.
Today I am musing about the value of scraps. Our wisdom muse (Solomon) is taking a day off.
The online Oxford dictionary says that “scrap” (noun) means “a little leftover bit of something” ranging from surplus supplies such as metals, cloth, yarn, paper, wood, food and much more. We often use the phrase “let’s scrap (verb) that idea” meaning discard it – at least for now. How often have you said, “Just scrap it.”
The picture above is of table napkins made from scrap material. Our church used them last week for coffee hour in place of disposable paper products. These are practical and valuable for the environment as well as aesthetically pleasing.
Why Talk About Scraps . . .?
Mostly just for fun. To take a simple word and think about it differently is an adventure.
A scrap is a significant piece of something. It is a potential for good.. It is not waste, not trash. And what happens to it is up to us. The creative person sees potential easily as well as looks for potential when it is not immediately apparent to the rest of us. We are each blessed differently that way.
Scraps are as valuable as our ability to see and tap into the potential they offer. Seeing and tapping into the potential in scraps can be an adventure of love, discovery and purpose. When I saw women making cushions for cats with shredded scraps of material I was amazed. It opened my eyes to what “potential.” Shredded strips of material became something special.
Below are three stories of why I am fascinated by the the value of scraps. Two are recent and the last one is a fun memory I have referred to before.
The Value of Scraps
Story #1 Caring Hands
In our church we have a group called “Caring Hands.” I am not in that group. But I sometimes visit the rooms where scraps and materials are kept and the sewing machines buzz as do conversations, laughter and occasional sighs when something has to be redone.
It is a group of women who gather to make things to send to people in need in hospitals, nursing homes and around the world. Their motto is to use every scrap of cloth or yarn. Each little scrap left over from a large project becomes something bigger than itself.
The list is long as to where these love gifts go. But the ladies delight in taking scraps and turning them into treasures. And the memories and friendships formed in this circle are priceless and timeless. .
Story #2 Scrapbooking
Recently I was privileged one dark evening when a dear widow friend offered to share one of her most treasured possessions with me. Her husband of approximately sixty-five years passed away two years ago and she is a smart, cogent and kind 87 year old who lives with grief. She and her late husband were high school sweethearts.
So what is the treasured possession? I waited while she went into another room and shortly she appeared carrying a large book. It was a beautiful photo album that is a scrapbook of memories. Her daughters had collected family photos and important events. The way they were presented in that book was clearly a work of love and art. I was moved. We had the best time sharing her memories with smiles and a tear or two. Priceless.
See what I mean by musing about the value of scraps?
Scrapbooking is a way of telling, preserving and valuing stories.( It made me almost want to get started.) And I learned on Wikipedia that scrapbooking has been important for a long time.
Story #3 A Girl and a Scrapped Bicycle
Remember my father’s scrap pile on the farm? On that pile was a pitiful looking old and wrecked bicycle. Stripped of rubber on the tires and one half of a handlebar missing, it was rusty and bent. It was pathetic looking.
With determination and great effort I rolled the bike up the driveway (slight incline), got on and coasted down and peddled at the end. I was so proud of myself I relish the memory to this day. Such was the potential I saw on my dad’s scrap pile.
To me it was not junk after all. It was a story waiting to be written by a girl who learned to ride a bike. My dad came out from the barn, shook his head and was proud of my spunk. Priceless. A precious treasure. Approval and an acquired skill the same time.
I know this is not a typical holiday blog. But I hope you found it light hearted.
If you wonder what to give a special someone for Christmas it might help to look around for some scraps and create something personal. If not, no worries. Share ideas and kind words! Remember even a smile in a check-out line might brighten someone’s day. Such things do matter!
Peace and love,
Margie