Years ago, I used to sell items that I had crocheted at a farmer’s market in Pickens County, Georgia. I sold all kinds of things ranging from shawls, hats, scarves, and flip-flops that I had crocheted on. Of course, that was before Major Depression and anxiety got in the way of me doing things. In fact, as much as I enjoyed crocheting, my depression and anxiety got so bad that I could not do it anymore. I simply could not concentrate on what I needed to do. However, before I gave up crocheting the Home-Ec teacher at the local high school asked me to teach her how to crochet on flip-flops.

Apparently, there is some type of Home-Ec club that students can belong to. Because it is not one of the more popular or well-known clubs it often lacks the funding to send the kids off for competitions. Her idea was to create a few small inexpensive projects that could be sold at the farmer’s market as a way to help the students raise money for their trips. She thought that the flip-flops would be something easy for them to sell.

I spent a few afternoons over several weeks showing the teacher and a few of her students how to crochet and flip-flops. They set up a booth at the farmers market and seem to do pretty good selling them. Once it became difficult for me to leave the house I lost track of the teacher, the students, and how they were doing at selling the flip-flops.

A couple Saturdays ago I had the opportunity to go to the farmer’s market, someplace I had not been to for a very long time. While I was wandering around I discovered that Home-Ec teacher sitting behind a booth selling products for the Home-Ec club. Guess what she had on her table? If you guessed flip-flops that had been crocheted on, you are correct!

Even after all these years, she and the Home-Ec club were still selling those flip-flops. That made me feel really good. I have left a positive mark in the lives of teenagers I have never even met.

You know, part of my depression was beating myself up, and telling myself that I was worthless and I had nothing to offer the world. I realize that what I thought about myself was untrue, but there is something about seeing a tangible mark that you have left in the world that makes you feel good. It also emphasizes how wrong I was when I believed that I was worthless and had nothing of value to offer the world.

So without hesitation I can proudly say I have a FLIP-FLOPPING LEGACY!

I know that many of you who read my blog are in the place I was a few years ago. It is a dark and lonely place, and you may believe that you are worthless and have nothing of value to give to your family, your friends, and/or the world. However, I want you to know that you do. I never realized what an impact silly, little, crocheted flip-flops would have on people I never even met. I bet know that each and every one of you have contributed something positive and good to the world, but maybe you are just not seeing it right now. I would like to urge you to take some time, attempt to put aside the negative feelings you have about yourself, and really look at your life. I know you will find something that you have given to the world. Do not discount it because it may seem small and silly to you, because it is possible that it has had a bigger impact on people’s lives than you realize.