Gather Here Love Letter from Naomi
(If you happen to be by the shop today (Wednesday, April 25), it's Naomi's last day. Drop in and wish her well. We're all going to miss her so very very much. That's the greatest thing about opening Gather Here, we meet the most amazing people and get to call them our friends.)
As some of you may have heard, I am no longer going to be working at Gather Here. I have come across two amazing opportunities that I could not pass up, one to survey lizards in the Bahamas in May, and the other to study shorebirds in the Arctic for June and July. It is with great sadness that I am leaving this amazing community and so in order to help me process these sad feelings, I'm writing you love letters! Here goes.
left: box bags, right: liberty baby bibs <PREVIEWEND>
To the Gather Here community,
Thank you for being so nice to me! I am constantly amazed by the depth of generosity you show, whether it's welcoming me into the crafter's brunch, complimenting me on my handmade things, or just listening to some of the processing I've had to do in the last eight months. You are truly amazing people. Working at Gather Here didn't feel like 'work' and it's because I got to hang out with my friends everyday. Thank you for that from the bottom of my heart.
I also want to thank you for being so inspiring in your crafty endeavours. There was hardly a day that one of you didn't come in with a brilliant idea that I had to go home and make right then. I honestly don't know how I'll stay inspired when I'm not surrounded by such amazing people!
left: crochet pillows, right: parson gray quilt
To the Gather Here Staff,
Oh, you guys! Thanks for making every day fun. Thanks for making me laugh almost every second I'm in the store. Thanks for staying up late and crafting. Thanks for buying me coffees. Thanks for being inspiring and pushing my own creativity to realms never before explored. I love you all boatloads.
Maggie, Please never stop being the giant-hearted, free spirit that you are.
Sophie, Your sweaters make me want to knit sweaters! You are a crafty genius.
Sammy, You are so hilarious it hurts and you make me feel younger than I am!
Mike, When I look up 'good of heart' in the dictionary, there's a picture of you.
Danielle, You make the best chili/knitted things and I hope I'm as cool a mom as you are someday.
Alisa, You're my style inspiration! Can I have all your clothes?
Maritza, I have such a friend crush on you. I also want every quilt you've ever made.
I will miss you all so much, but don't worry, I'll be in to craft every chance I get!
left: handmade t-shirt, right: schoolhouse tunic
To Virginia and Noah,
When I first moved here I was pretty lonely. I went for a walk one Friday night and found myself on Broadway street. During my pity-party/walk for one I had been thinking about how much I missed my community in Vancouver. Then I saw it. It was a beacon in the dark. I walked in and couldn't believe my eyes. Yarn! Fabric! Cool folks that would maybe be my friends? Then you asked me to come to knitter's brunch. I was in.
So my friendship with you both was born. You got to hear all about my adventures in unemployment and bike polo, my cat's shenanigans and my exploration of a new country and city. I got to hear about opening a new business, behind the scenes facts about the movie biz, and about your cat's shenanigans. It was great!
Then you posted for a job. I think I whipped together my resume in under ten minutes, wrote a blathering cover letter about how much I love the store and crafting and sent it off!
Since then I have been incredibly lucky. Not only have you two given me work, but you've given me a community, friendship, and the gift of making. I am inspired every day I come to work. I laugh every day I'm there. I have felt challenged in my crafting and you are both such incredible dreamers, it's hard not to get caught up in the dreaming too. In fact, one of the most important moments in my time at Gather Here was when you asked me what my dreams are. It takes a good person to ask this question, but it takes a true friendship to then go ahead and support me in following them. I want to thank you both from the bottom of my heart. I will miss you incredibly!
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Love,
Naomi
left: spring colorwork cowl, right:whinnie with the knit jack-a-lope
p.s. To the whole of the community, you may see me around this blog while I'm out on my adventures! I'm hoping to share with you some of the inspiring things I see while I'm bouncing around the world. Until I see you again! xo
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