Holidays are truly a blessing, are they not? We gather together with family, friends, young and old. We share stories, dreams. We remember the past year. We find ways to light up the eyes of a child, or to delight an elder.
Who are the wise women in your family? In remembrances this year, can you think of something she did that made herself, or her family, stronger?Wisdom is a woman. A woman moves through stages in her life – maiden, mother, crone. We often think of the crone as an old woman, devoid of value. Yet, she is the wise one, ready to share her life experiences, her ability to problem solve, her capability to heal, nuture, grow.

In early November, my sister-in-law and I went to a Fine Arts of Fiber Festival.  One of their gallery displays was “Hats: Wise Women Speak.” Being the hat enthusiast that I am, always on a quest for new hat patterns and ideas, this gallery peaked my interest. What were the bits of wisdom that the artists, from the collective Chicago-based group,Women’s Journey in Fiber, would impart to us in the making of their hats? Those among you who are designers, no matter your material, will understand and relate to the design process.  Why did you choose this project, and what does it mean to you. Throughout the year, you’ve allowed me (and all of us at Halos of Hope) to share our hat passion, our wisdom and our mission to help those who need healing and the comfort of hand-crafted cap. For a moment, let me share with you the wisdom of some others. No, these might not be good chemo caps, but they have meanings all their own.
This holiday season, ask the wise woman in your family for her stories; that is, if you haven’t already. And if you are the wise woman, share..it is a duty, a calling, for all of us.

Gems of Wisdom (Elizabeth Holler Mini)
“In conceiving my hat, I thought about the richness of the faces I have encountered. My exposure to many cultures has enriched my life”

My Grandmother Got Me Started (Cindy Heineman)
“I was lucky enough to have a mother and two grandmothers who were knitters. My grandmother Hawley knit me a new skating outfit every year. She was probably responsible for my love of wool….”

It’s Not All Black and White (Janette Gerber)[Note: The hat changes colors]  “There are surprises, other questions to ask, new ways to look and new ways of understanding the journey.  Keep asking questions!”


Words of Wisdom (Carolyn Seng) “Wisdom is…knowing what matters and what doesn’t.  What is important and what is not”

Which Hat Today?  (Cindy Kuo)   “As mothers, we tend to wear many different hats:  a wife’s hat, a chef’s hat, a nurse’s hat, a doctor’s hat…a chauffeur’s hat, a cleaner’s hat…It seems as if we are constantly changing from one hat to another and sometimes wearing 2 or more hats at the same time."

Space doesn’t allow us to post all 27 hats created for this gallery.  For more information about Women’s Journey in Fiber, or the Wise Women Speak project, visit: http://www.womensjourneysinfiber.com/7-Hats/Hats.htm

Happy Holidays!