Keeping Us In Stitches
— Thursday, October 1st, 2009 by WBSC
In the mid-1930's, a young high school student started learning her way around the sewing machine. She had such an aptitude for it that her teacher let her skip study hall to sew things, including two dresses for the teacher herself!
Now, on the verge of turning ninety, Ida Lucille DuPree is passing on the spool and needle to the next volunteer. For twelve years, she has faithfully volunteered her help in the Warm Beach Senior Community, the past six of which she has taken on the often labor and time-intensive weekly mending needs of our nursing facility.
Each week, she and her circa 1955 Kenmore sewing machine have teamed up to patch holes, repair hems, replace zippers, attach elastic to the corners of dozens of mattress pads, and a host of other mending challenges. It's not hard to see the resourcefulness and work ethic of her generation coming out in how adeptly she tackles anything that comes her way.
"I even do my own repairs to the machine when I can, " DuPree said. "I've changed the drive belt using strips of rawhide." Last time she was at the sewing machine store, though, she was able to get a piece of the real belt material. "I just have to cut it to fit, now, take apart the machine, and put it in."
For those of us who have trouble changing the toilet paper roll, that's beyond impressive. But Ida isn't one to shrink back from hard work, even as a volunteer. She's faithfully and willingly given of her time and talent to bless the community. "I've enjoyed the work," Ida affirms.
Ida, we deeply appreciate all the ways you have ministered to those around you. May you reap a harvest of blessing as result of all the sowing-including the sewing-you have done as a faithful servant of Christ in his kingdom. Many thanks!