The lacemaker

Years ago, when I used to live and work in London, I drove into town to my office everyday. The time spent travelling was so boring that parts of the journey became a void. I got into my car at home and one hour later I got out at work, but I couldn't remember bits in between. I wasn't conscious, or my consciousness was somewhere more interesting.
For the past seven years, between the months of June and October, I pass this lace maker sitting just inside her front door, or on the pavement, most days on my way to the post office. For me, the event is normal and some mornings I don't even notice her. Today I stopped myself and took notice, I became conscious, and I'm glad I did.

Her job is to make the lace for church altars and occasionally for wedding dresses. During the summer she starts work at 9am and brings her frame on to the pavement for better light. By 9.30 she is joined by a woman who spends a half hour chatting and helping with the lace making, by 10.30 the lace frame starts to look crowded. Office and shop workers use their break time to join in and help with the progress, some bring their own chairs. Each shift lasts around 30 minutes then it's adios and back to work.

It is a beautiful activity to watch, with concentration, rhythm and friendship entwined, and I feel these ladies are very fortunate!