eng/ ru

Hooking rugs and carpets

It is a comfort and solace to the aged, for they often have many lonely hours to fill. "Time just flies when I hook," they'll say. To the physically handicapped, it is indeed a boon. One of my greatest thrills was to see the progress made by a dear friend who is a spastic. She has become so proficient that there is always

someone eager to buy her rugs the moment they are finished. And now she is teaching the craft to others. It teaches persever­ance, and this, when harnessed to courage, can produce wonders.

One of my letters tells of a Commander in the Navy, para­lyzed for months. He watched a rugger hooking — expressed a desire to try it, and finally won in forcing his hand to move in the same manner.

Eventually he walked! The following Thanks­giving his family breathed a silent prayer of thanks while they watched him face the test of carving the turkey and serving the dinner. Sure, of course he went back into the Navy!

But he gratefully hands an "orchid" to his hooking teacher who encour­aged him in his first great struggle.