John Shambroom and Jan Rohwetter carefully place the unfinished rug on a bed for examination. The rug is not very large, more like a throw rug, but it is stunning nonetheless. The intricate pattern, with its vibrant red and blue colors against a gold background, immediately catches the eye. This rug has a story behind it – it was started by Donna Savastio as a gift for her sister around five years ago. Donna, an artist, spent over 100 hours cutting wool strips and meticulously pulling them through a linen canvas, creating thousands of tiny, tight loops. Rug hooking became her refuge, a way to express her creativity and find solace in her craft.
Donna continued hooking the rug until she could no longer do so. The progression of her Alzheimer’s disease is evident in the unfinished rows along the navy border. The once precise and intricate pattern now shows signs of struggle and confusion. It is a poignant representation of Donna’s journey with the disease.
Enter Jan Rohwetter, a stranger to Donna and her husband John Shambroom until now. Jan, having recently lost her own mother to dementia, empathizes deeply with Donna’s situation. She volunteers to collect and complete Donna’s rug through a program called Loose Ends, which matches volunteer crafters with unfinished projects left behind by individuals who have passed away or become disabled.
John and Donna are overjoyed and grateful for Jan’s willingness to take on this task. It is a godsend for them. Loose Ends, created by Masey Kaplan and Jen Simonic, has been able to match over 600 unfinished projects with eager crafters since its launch 10 months ago. From blankets and mittens to quilts and doilies, there is no shortage of projects waiting to be completed.
The program has attracted a surprising number of volunteers from all around the world, outnumbering the available projects. Kaplan and Simonic are amazed by the response and are in the process of formalizing the organization to raise funds and expand their reach. For now, they handle all the matchmaking themselves, meticulously sorting through data to find the perfect match for each project.
The match between Donna and Jan for the rug is particularly serendipitous. Jan understands the emotional significance of the project, having longed to do something similar for her own mother. When Jan arrives to pick up the rug, she shares her personal connection to the cause with Donna and John. There is an instant bond formed between the three of them, rooted in a shared desire to bring comfort and solace through their craft.
As Jan begins working on the rug, she realizes she doesn’t have the exact navy blue wool to match the border. Instead, she gathers a sample of fabrics and plans to experiment until she can get as close as possible to the original shade. Loose Ends finishers often leave a mark where the original crafter stopped, symbolizing the transition from one set of hands to another. Jan asks Donna if there is a sentimental item she could incorporate into the rug to mark this transition. Together, they discover a silky scarf with tassels in Donna’s closet. Jan suggests using the tassels instead of cutting up the scarf, so Donna can still wear it. Donna loves the idea and is grateful for Jan’s thoughtfulness.
After a few weeks, Jan returns with the completed rug wrapped in glittering paper and tied with a satin bow. Donna and John eagerly unwrap the gift and are in awe of the beauty before them. Three silvery loops catch their attention – the former scarf tassels now marking the places where Jan’s hands took over. Jan explains that each loop was created with love and in honor of both Donna and her own mother. There are hugs, smiles, and a deep sense of appreciation for the pure goodness that has come from this collaboration.
Donna takes some time to enjoy the gift before ultimately delivering it to her sister as originally planned. It is a reminder of the power of human connection and the ability of art to bring people together, even in the face of adversity.
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Rohit Malhotra is a medical expert and health journalist who offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being. His articles aim to help readers lead healthier lives.
