Origami cranes

You’ve seen these little paper cranes that grade school children might learn how to make in art class, or sometimes adorn a display case in an Asian gift store. A long time ago, I bought a package of 100 two-inch paper squares at an Asian art display with the intention of making 100 cranes for my, then, unborn child to decorate his or her room. The folklore around it was sweet, paper cranes for good luck and long life, and if you folded 1000 paper cranes, a wish would be granted.

When my daughter was born, I spent many hours in my beloved gliding rocking chair nursing or rocking her to sleep, sometimes listening to music. I could have watched television. There was no e-reader then. Instead, I wanted to be crafty, and chose to skillfully fold origami cranes, mostly with one hand. The cranes in the picture are just a couple of them… they all live in a crystal container that we received when Abby was born. Now my daughter is nine years old, and she is every bit of what I could possibly wish for and more.

So the news of the horrific events in Japan came last weekend, and it keeps coming with mostly unfathomable scenes and situations but some uplifting stories. I was telling my husband about a local Japanese school, children and their parents worried about their relatives in Japan. Then he says to me, why don’t you make paper cranes? He comes up with some great stuff, doesn’t he? Crafting for a cause. Well, sometimes, we can’t always offer monetary support, but what about thoughts for heartfelt wishes of strength, rebuilding, renewal… I pledge to make at least one hundred cranes. And, if maybe some of you would like to join me and make some, I would love the opportunity to present a Senbazuru (one thousand cranes) to the local Japanese school to show our support. Leave a comment or e-mail me if you’re interested.

I’ll try to post my instructions for origami cranes as soon as I can.

Much love to all,

Julie

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