This hat has a life of its own, and a few devoted followers.
The first time I wore it last winter, I was on a walk with HF
Morecambe Rambling club and we were trudging uphill through some woods in quite
difficult conditions on this slippery snow covered track when someone at the
front shouted; 'Jogger running down!' So we all stood to the side the best we
could to make way for this runner pelting down the hill. As he got near to me
he stopped dead in his track and stood for a moment staring at my hat and
without any malice in his voice said: 'Love the hat!' and ran off.
The second time I
wore the hat was again on a bitter cold day on a walk this time with the
Lancaster Rambling club. Several people had admired it and wanted me to make one
for them. But that would defeat the object of having a unique hat that nobody
else has. So I declined.
Only last week I wore it to go to post a belated Birthday card.
Caught the bus and as I wasn’t sure where the place was I asked the driver to
drop me off at Crag Bank Lane. The driver duly shouted to me at the stop and I
got off, posted the card and made my way back to the main road just as the bus
appeared coming towards me in a slowing trafic.
I caught the driver’s eye and gestured to her if I could get on. I
was taking a chance on her good nature as I wasn’t at a bus stop and I know
they are not allowed to stop but there is only one bus an hour so it was worth
being brave. Nothing ventured nothing gained my mother used to tell me.
She stopped the bus and I got on thanking her profusely, thinking
to myself; One for the hat. Because if I hadn’t had the hat on I know she wouldn’t
have stopped. So I sat down with a grateful glee on my face for the lovely warm
ride home.
This Monday, I was attending one of my oldest friend’s funeral who
had asked her son to request people not to wear black, as she didn’t want
people to be sad and solemn. I was asked to say a few words and if possible
recount a true story with humorous tones that had involved my old friend. I had
plenty of stories to tell as we had been friends for forty seven years.
My youngest daughter said she would come to the front and stand by
me to support me in case I couldn’t deliver the speech. Driving up to Carlisle I told my daughter that I had intended to don the hat on my way to the front. She was slightly affronted, and I quite understood. Remembering
the time I had first shown her the knitted creation, she had specifically said ‘don’t
ever wear that hat when you are out with me!’
It all went well, I just said that last time I had this hat on it
made my friend laugh, so I was hoping to put a smile on some faces here today. Yes.
They did smile, it broke the barrier and eclipsed the sadness.
Yes. My daughter reluctantly agreed with me that it was a good
idea and she is still talking to me.
So in a few outings that I was able to wear the hat it had become
the star of the day.
In case you ask; No! I don’t feel stupid wearing it. It is a
perfectly comfortable and warm hat. I love it.
Maria X
