We recently toured Grovewood Gallery in Asheville, North Carolina, housed in what used to be Biltmore Estate Industries/Biltmore Industries and the Homespun Shop. In its heydey, Biltmore Industries produced “hand-loomed woolens…sold in some of the best shops in the country. Biltmore Industries’ fame for quality wool fabric even extended to the American presidents.” (http://www.grovewood.com/about-us/history)
The process of weaving fabric by hand is incredibly intricate, painstaking, and very labor-intensive. I had no idea so much work was involved!! Only men worked on the looms because they had the upper body strength to do it.
In the case of the particular loom used by Biltmore Industries, 1068 individual strands of thread were hand-threaded in pairs through guides (lease rods) onto the loom from a roll of continuous warp (the carefully-wound large roll of threads). One thread from the pair went through a heddle eye on an upper heddle and the other thread went through a heddle eye onto the lower heddle (for a simple, plain weave). If one thread was out of place, the loom wouldn’t work. In order to work properly, there also has to be the correct amount of tension on the warm threads.
As half of the threads on one heddle were lifted up, the shuttle (with weft thread) was passed between the upper and lower threads. The heddles were then switched (using a foot-operated control) so the lower ones then become the upper ones (and vice versa) and the weft thread was locked into the warp so it could firmly become part of the woven fabric. The new thread was then “beaten” against the already-formed fabric, and the process was repeated. All that work…for a basic piece of cloth.
As I understand it, in order to make a pattern such as plaid, up to 8 heddles were used on this size of loom – and an equal number of foot pedals! Complicated, isn’t it??! For wider fabric, more intricate patterns, picture-type scenes or tapestries, the process was even more complicated!! Wow!
Basic loom workings:
Diagram of the formation of fabric on a loom: (1) warp beam, (2) warp threads (yarns), (3) whip roll, (4) lease rods, (5) top beater, (6) reed, (7) shuttle, (8) breast beam, (9) guide, (10) sand roll, (11) cloth beam, (12) rocker shaft, (13) sley swords, (14) harness (with heddle), (15) heddle eye, (16) batten (http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Hand+loom)
As anyone who has read this blog knows, I’ve always thought of grief as the process of integrating loss into the fabric of one’s life and that I try to understand, explain, and think of concepts in pictures or analogies.
It seems to me that, at times, people tend to think of life as an ongoing process such as weaving fabric (e.g. Carole King’s “Tapestry” or Corrie Ten Boom’s Poem “Life is But the Weaving“). We talk about people becoming unraveled, ragged, frayed. We hear commentators and politicians talk about things affecting the very fabric of our lives. People talk about events that tear at their lives or tear lives apart. All of these are “fabric” terminologies.
To continue this analogy, the death of a child interrupts and changes the patterns in our lives – the entire fabric of our lives and the continuity of the weaving, as it were. It’s as if a giant knife or scissors has come along and hacked at many of the continuous warp threads on which the pattern of our lives is being woven. Threads are missing, frayed, tattered, broken, cut – not just a few threads, but a majority of them. All of a sudden the pattern we were following as we worked on the weaving our of lives – our hopes, dreams and expectations – is gone. The continuity is gone!!
In the early, numb phases of grief following the death of a child, it seems as though the weaving has stopped. Not only is the pattern is gone – it’s been obliterated – but there’s not much base of thread to work on. We look at the jumbled mess and don’t even know where to start. We don’t have the energy, focus, or desire to start.
Bereaved parents talk about life in terms of “before” and “after” the death of their child. We look back and see the already-completed picture. We look forward and see a mess of broken, frayed, and missing strings. All of those nice, neat, straight threads on which we were weaving the pattern of our lives are gone. The pattern or picture (future) we imagined and were working on is gone. The continuity and patterns are gone – and it’s all so very overwhelming. Sometimes we have to just do the minimal work on our “loom” – whatever we can handle until we are able to do more.
At some point (when we are able), the next phase begins – the restructuring of all those cut and frayed ends into something usable, stable, worthwhile, and meaningful on which we can begin to weave again, something that can handle the tension of weaving a “new” pattern. That’s when reality sets in and all the hard work begins.
We have to untangle the broken threads – both the threads that that hang from the already-finished weaving and the warp threads that should be connected to it. Threads that have been damaged and are not strong enough to handle the tension of the weaving process must be cut and replaced with new thread. We have to figure out a way to connect ALL of the old threads to the new in order to start the actual process of weaving again in earnest.
Once the threads are repaired and connected again, we can slowly and carefully start integrating (weaving) the loss into the fabric of our lives. Sometimes the process is affected or delayed by additional changes or losses – secondary wounds, lost friendships and relationships, loss of another loved one, loss of job, selling a home, moving – all which additionally fray or cut the threads of our continuity and lives. These threads, too, must be repaired or replaced. Sometimes we miss repairing some threads and have to go back later and try to repair the damage. Sometimes we have to compensate for damage that cannot be repaired. The whole thing is a slow, painstaking, labor-intensive and difficult process.
The “product” we complete during this time may not look all that pretty for a while. It may not be lovely to look at; it certainly looks nothing like it used to. It may be uneven and contain unsightly knots or blemishes. It may have holes. It may have odd colors in it. The “pattern” we knew and were weaving – previously almost by rote – is gone, and we have to find a new one – sometimes through trial and error. We may not even have a clue what the pattern will look like right away; all we know is that it won’t look like what was already completed before our child died. The important thing is that we are working on it.
Sometimes people who grieve deeply seem to be selfish and self-absorbed during these early years. Sometimes the process takes longer than others expect it to, so they get impatient and leave. Sometimes they get impatient and step in uninvited to “help,” which may confuse or disrupt the process and not accomplish what was intended.
If those friends and family surrounding a bereaved parent could picture a huge loom (much bigger than the one pictured above) with threads of many, many colors…and many, many, many broken threads…and then picture all the time and energy it would take to untangle, repair and restring all of those threads in order to start “weaving” again the multifaceted and intricate pattern of our lives, then perhaps more understanding and tolerance for the griever and the grieving process would be the end result. If they could picture themselves standing close by to encourage or hand us a tool or thread when we ask or need help, perhaps the restructuring and weaving process would be a little easier.
We have to integrate the huge loss of the death of our child – and any additional or secondary losses – into the very fabric of our lives. Please be patient with us as we endeavor to do the best we can to repair all of the broken threads and once again start weaving the intricate pattern of our lives. Don’t disappear; don’t ignore us. Encourage us; be kind and show us that you care. The integration of our loss into the fabric of our lives may take a while; it’s a very difficult, time-consuming, labor-intensive thing to do.
© 2012 Rebecca R. Carney
Rebecca – I am so aware of loss in all its permutations – in my case, our child’s youth as he struggles to gain footing in a world of clearly defined borders that are often times unseen by youth. I continue to hold you, who have suffered unspeakable loss, close in my thoughts as you make plans for weaving a future from the fine fabric you have at your table.
Very well said. The word picture you paint is breathtakingly close to our experience with the loss of our son, Jesse. Trying to reintegrate into life is every bit as challenging as you have described.
Thank you. It certainly is not an easy process, is it?
No, it isn’t. Would it be alright if I reposted a portion of your post on my blog(with full credit back to your blog of course)?
Yes, of course.
Thank you.
Yep, ripped, shredded and unrecognizable, and the daily decisions to keep working on making the repairs, finding the loose threads, weaving in new ones, and all of it damp with tears.
Yes…very true…
Very strong analogies between the weaving process and the stages of loss. Your tour sounds really interesting, too. As always, I just enjoy checking in and hearing how you’re doing. This was both an informative and meaningful post! Debra
Thank you, Debra.
That is the best and most thorough description I have read. I agree.
Wow! That’s quite a compliment! Thank you so much!
I have been reading through all of your blog posts. My beloved 23 year old son, Graham, died 5 weeks ago, suddenly and tragically. My husband, daughter and I are still in a state of shock and are trying to cope with this incomprehensible loss. We miss him every second and can’t comprehend how we can face the future without him.
I’ve been searching the Internet for blogs and sites that can offer me guidance. I’ve pulled together a webpage that consolidates those sites that I have found to be helpful.
I’ve included your blog on this page. http://www.scoop.it/t/grief-and-loss
Please feel free to share it with others.
–Graham’s Mom
Jennifer, I am so sorry your precious son died. My heart truly goes out to you and your family. It truly is an incomprehensible loss.
Thank you for including my blog on your resources site; I hope it will be a help to you and to others.
With hugs and caring,
Becky
Thank you. Any suggestions as to how to face the future? It looks so empty and painful.
I remember, several weeks after Jason died, I called his soccer coach – he and his wife had lost two children in a house fire. I got their answering machine, so I left my name and phone number, trying to sound “normal” and not on the verge of falling apart…didn’t want to scare them off because I was hurting so badly, you know. I just wanted someone who had “been there” to tell me what to do to survive the death of our son…and that I would survive…because all I wanted to do was die. I thought the pain would kill me. I never did get a call back, even though I called again and left another message. Perhaps they didn’t know what to tell me. I just needed someone to tell me I would survive, that I could make it through.
I know the future looks empty and painful. How could it not? The future you imagined is gone; everything has changed. If I were sitting down in front of you, I would give you the biggest hug, hold your hands, and look into your eyes and tell you this: It may not seem like it now, but you will survive. It’s going to take a while and you will not be the same person you once were, but you will survive. Give yourself some time.
I think it’s too overwhelming to keep looking at the future. It’s too big and too broken. It’s important to concentrate on the moment you are in right now and what’s in front of you right now. Take care of the basics. You have to take care of yourself – eat right, drink plenty of water, go for a walk. I know that sounds simple, but it does help. Live in this day. Allow yourself all the time you need to grieve. Don’t hurry yourself or allow others to hurry you. Get professional help (or talk to a clergy, counselor, support group) if you need a third party to talk to – sometimes our family and friends don’t know how to help us and we don’t know how to help ourselves. I hope and I pray that your friends and family do step forward, that they continue to be there for you for the long haul, and that they are kind beyond measure to you and surround you with love and caring.
One breath at a time; one moment at a time; one day at a time.
Sending hugs and prayers,
Becky
(Please feel free to email me at any time. I’m not a “professional,” but I am here for you.)
Thank you. My husband and I are seeing a grief counselor, as is my daughter. We’ve attended a meeting of Compassionate Friends and I’ve been been reading many books by bereaved parents. Still, the pain is overwhelming and washes over me in nonstop waves that feel like the shock that you get when you first find out. It’s crippling. But I look to you and to others and see that you have survived and so I tell myself that I will too.
I’ll write again,
Jennifer
Awesome writing and metaphor. It makes sense 🙂
Thank you.
Such an accurate analogy, you should be proud of your writing, for Jason would have also been very proud of you, for telling it as it is. I remember writing about the knife image in one of my poems, but the reviewer knocked it back because it was a “cliché”… What some (most?) people do not realise is that we are writing our living grief, that there is no fiction, there is no artifice.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, J, for your encouragement and kind comments. No, our lives our not cliche as we continue the task of living as best we can following the death of a child. Because we use word descriptions to try to promote understanding concerning our grief does not make the term or concept cliche, either. There always will be people who do not understand or would rather avoid hearing/talking about the depth of grief that accompanies such a death. {As you may have noticed, subjects such as grief are never “featured” on wordpress (i.e. “fresh pressed”) or other blog websites.} I think of you and your family often…
Rebecca, your blog on “Grief: One Woman’s perspective was absolutely the most touching I have read. Your sentiments are so much like my own, the years it takes to even to begin to remake your life, the criticism we take from others about how or how slowly we are able to take that first step, the anger, blame, the loss of your expectations for the future. I love your comparison to weaving on a loom-it certainly fits. Do you live near Asheville? I would love to stay in touch. I hope you will follow my blog and read more of my work-I will read more of yours right now and follow it. Bless you for putting into words all the sentiments I have struggled with so long. I will share your blog with my friends and family, maybe it will help them understand ME a little better. beebee
Hi, Beebee. Thank you for visiting my blog and for your comments. I’m so glad you felt what I wrote could be of some help; it’s really the reason I write.
Yes, we live near Asheville now, having moved recently from Florida. Looking for a job, you know… 🙂
Becky, discovered your blog in the wee hours last night & sat in awe as I recognized so many of my own thoughts…and then I realized (remember it was the wee hours) that your journal entries were from 10 yrs ago! Our son, Austin, died in Oct 2010 very suddenly from rejection of his heart transplant 15 mos earlier. We have spent months in counseling with a grief therapist, which was very helpful & while I can see that we’ve made progress in our grief, there are still so many struggles. Your journal entries are without a doubt the most helpful words I’ve read. You have a gift for sharing & I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Thx!
Paula
Thank you, Paula, for visiting my blog and for your encouraging words. I’m glad that my words were helpful. (I started my blog about a year ago, based on my journal entries from when Jason died…interspersed with current-day comments. I’ve gotten away from the journals for several months, but will be pulling them out again soon.) I’m so sorry Austin died. It’s not a journey I would wish on anyone. Hugs. Becky
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“My Life is But a Weaving | Grief: One Woman’s Perspective” honestly makes me personally imagine a somewhat further. I treasured each and every particular portion of this blog post. Thanks for your effort ,Brianne
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Thank you for the comment on my blog, which led me to this post. I have been following you but have not read all of your posts. I think the description of the weaving process is great
Reblogged this on A Mother's Grief and Learning to Live Again and commented:
I found this post after reading a comment left on one of my posts. I love the technical description of the weaving process, and the wonderful analogy to the weaving and re-weaving of our life fabric after a loss, especially the death of a child. Check out Grief: one Woman’s Perspective.
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