One Week

Seven days have passed.  One week.  A couple dozen cranes with inspirational messages have been left from San Diego to Oakland.  In airports, stores, coffee shops, restaurants.  These were left to bring a smile and joy into the lives of others.  Not one reply.  I know it makes this individual happy to release them into the care of others.  One can only hope they found a good resting place, and not the trash can.

A good friend lost his father this week.  They were not close.  But still sadness set in.  One can hold onto things that happened long ago.  The hurt never really heals.  We tuck it away, and try to remember only the good times.

Some good advice for all of us...

Life is too short for drama or petty things, so laugh hard, love truly
and forgive quickly. Live While You Are Alive. Forgive now those who made you
 cry. You might not get a second time.

But do share your joy with someone. Lost time can never be returned.

FoldingFool.

Welcome

This is my first blog.  FoldingFool says "hi".  Like a number of us, I learned to fold the classic crane in 3rd or 4th grade.  The skill was soon forgotten.  Flash forward about 40+ years.  My daughter became ill.  Medical science sent us from one specialist to another.  Test after test.  Not one could pinpoint the cause or determine a cure.

That is what started the journey of 1000 cranes, called a 'sembazuru'.  It is said that making one will bring you wellness, good luck, a long life....   I found folding to be relaxing.  The sembazuru was completed and hung.  Things started getting better for my daughter.  The final cure has not been found, but a great deal of progress has been made.  Each day is better.  Life moves forward.  We stay positive.

Now my family and friends call me a FoldingFool.  Any scrap piece of paper is turned into origami.  It does not matter where or when.  Any design is free game. Cranes, dinosaurs, pigs, dogs..., you name it.  There is a way to make it out almost anything out of paper and folding.  Dollar bills are often turned into tips at restaurants.  The servers love them.  Southwest Airlines has been giving out a dollar bill origami design each month for over a year now in their in flight magazine.

I hope you find a crane and good luck follows you throughout your life.  Each is meant to bring a little joy and peace to those that find them.  Find one of mine,  and you are welcome to post a note or a photo.

Some sites you might also want to visit:

Sandy and the 1000 Paper Cranes        www.1000cranemission.com 

Simple Origami Folding Instructions    www.origami-instructions.com/simple-origami.html 

Best wishes, good health, and a long life to each of us.

FoldingFool