Knit Cap from a Stranger

KNIT CAP from a STRANGER

Summer Sun Can Be Plenty Hot

It was summer in southern Arizona when I had chemo treatments for breast cancer. It produced an immediate problem. When I lost my hair, my head felt cold and I was not sleeping well.

I hoped to find a knit cap somewhere in my metropolis. Sales associates gave me some mighty strange looks, and I finally got the message---this was a lost cause.

A square cotton scarf tied behind my head felt comfortable. I didn’t realize people could still tell I was bald. Believe me, ignorance was bliss.

One day I renewed a prescription at the pharmacy, then wandered through the store. I felt I was being followed, but saw no one.

At last a lady said, “I noticed you at the pharmacy. I hope you won’t be offended, but would you be interested in a knit cap?”

My response was, “Would I! I’ve been trying to find one without success.”

Lavender Is A Pretty Color

She said, “I belong to a group that knits caps for chemo patients. The only one I have left is lavender. Would that be OK?”

“Color doesn’t matter,” I said, “I’d just be glad for a cap. My head gets really cold at night.”

After a quick trip to her car, she handed me a skull cap, knit in the softest lavender baby yarn. What an unexpected blessing. It was easy to smile as I expressed my appreciation.

That night, and for months following, I enjoyed good sleep with a warm head. Thanks to a small tag pinned to the cap, I was able to send the group a note of thanks.

I was impressed that the ladies not only knit caps, but put forth individual effort to distribute them. To me it was a perfect illustration of Ecclesiastes 9:10: Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might . . . 

Here I am, thirteen years later, still thankful for a knit cap from a stranger.

Helped by a Stranger

HELPED by a STRANGER

A friend of mine recently moved into a lovely retirement resort. I was delighted to be invited to her welcoming luncheon.

I did not know any of the other six ladies, but I enjoy meeting new people. I don’t recall what we were discussing when the lady next to me said, “Be anxious for nothing.” I responded, “Instead, pray about everything. I’ve learned the importance of that.”

No Hair

As I was brushing my hair this morning I was reminded of having a bald head back in 2007. After being diagnosed with breast cancer I had chemo, surgery, and radiation.

Chemo caused me to lose my hair. During the daytime I was comfortable tying a large cotton handkerchief around my head, knotted in back. My husband teased me about being his “motorcycle mama.” When out and about, I felt my bald had was quite covered up and not noticeable. I was wrong, but I was happy.

A Cold Head

It was summertime in Phoenix. Our little place had air conditioning, for which I was grateful; however, it was a problem at night. I slept with my head uncovered because the cotton headgear was uncomfortable. The AC gave me a cold head, even though I tried to cover my head with a sheet.

I thought, It’s summer in Phoenix. Surely some store will have knit beanies on a sale pile somewhere. I went to major department stores and sports equipment stores. When I asked for a knit beanie, not only did I get a negative answer but the sales clerks looked at me strangely.

I gave up and started to pray about it. My prayer was based on the scripture the lady mentioned at last week’s luncheon: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6).

An Unexpected Solution

One day I was in line at a pharmacy, waiting for my prescription. I noticed a lady observing me. She didn’t say anything, but as I left the pharmacy counter and shopped some other aisles I noticed her shadowing me.

Finally, she came up cautiously and said, “I hope you won’t be offended, but I belong to a group that knits caps for chemo patients. I have only one left. It’s lavender----would you like to have it?” 

WOULD I?

I waited while she went to her car. When she came back I tried to explain how thankful I was for her thoughtfulness. The beanie yarn was very soft and I slept soundly in it.

Many Thanks

Attached to the hat was a small card with the name and address of this caring group. I sent them a thank you note.

Of course, I also thanked God for hearing my prayer. I didn’t even know this group existed, but God knew I could be helped by a stranger.