DAY 19: 1,000 Cranes

We had a nice surprise today receiving a package from Takako in Japan. She, her family, and her sister's coworkers gathered to fold 1,000 origami cranes to wish Mom a speedy recovery. They coordinated the colors among various strands of cranes on strings, and opted for a style that does not fold out the heads and tails of the cranes. It produces a more uniform, clean look. I took a picture of the cranes across Mom's chest with the enclosed card:

Isn't this a better idea than flowers? While folding the cranes, Takako and her group prayed for Mom's recovery. It takes a long time to fold so many paper cranes, so the commitment was substantial. When they were finished, Mom received tangible evidence that people had wished for her return to health. Later, when she's fully recovered, she can hang the cranes at home and remember her ordeal.

We aren't the only ones happy to have the cranes. The doctors and nurses love them, too. When they come to Mom's room, they ask about the cranes and always look interested in the idea. Here's nurse Nicole working with Mom as the cranes hang in the foreground: