How I met Elizabeth.

In 2008 I was planning to move from Seattle to southern Oregon.

I took a weekend reconnaissance trip to scout out the southernmost city, Ashland, which is only about 15 miles from the California border.

Driving around the city, one of the first things I saw was a big gray building with a dove on it, and huge letters that said, "PEACE HOUSE". I wondered what it was. I loved the vibe. I stopped at a real estate place and asked what the town and people were like. The answer was, "Mostly aging hippies ... blah, bah, blah ...". That was all I needed to hear. Later on I learned that this place is an energy vortex, similar to the energy of Sedona, Arizona.

The landscape and nature were incredible. Surrounding hills gave a sensation like a big energetic hug. Everything about the town said, "Welcome Home".

I settled in. Every October, it was as if a switch was turned on and I started crocheting winter hats for the homeless people. Each year I made more. Some were distributed to Indian reservations. After 7 years my wrists and shoulder gave out. My last batch was 100 hats delivered to homeless people of Ashland.

Let me back up for a second.
I needed a way to distribute the hats. I was led to Peace House. This is where I met a wonderful kind, big-hearted lady named Elizabeth Hallett. She invited me to a weekly dinner in a local church hall, sponsored by "Uncle Food's Diner". She said the homeless people needed to mingle with the community and feel a part of us, not left out or disenfranchised. So whether or not I wanted to eat a complimentary dinner, it would be very meaningful if I would mingle with the guests. So I did.

Elizabeth was my annual go-to person to distribute my winter "Hats for Homeless". We became friends through our love and concern for the less fortunate people in our community. I came to know Elizabeth as a very generous and caring person. I wish I knew more people like her.

The years have come and gone. I don't see much of Elizabeth any more. But she is in my heart. I wanted to make her a special gift as homage to all the wonderful work she has done for the less fortunate among us, for so many years. The world needs more people who care for one another. I had fun making my special "Elizabeth peace bag" - and hope that she will feel all the love and appreciation that went into making it. We need to lift up the care-givers and empaths of the world. Our communities need more kindness, don't you think?

Thank you, Elizabeth, for the loving person that you are. I am taking liberty to speak for many, many people who have been on the receiving end of your loving kindness. May God richly bless you and keep you. Until we meet again ....