Sacred Connection

I volunteer at our local Ten Thousand Villages store, because I really believe in the concept of Fair Trade. I love to buy gifts and coffee there, but I try not to buy too much for my house because I like to live simply. So what happened to me recently came as quite the surprise.

Everybody except me had been talking endlessly about the upcoming annual rug event. I had thought that they were a bit "overly enthusiastic" about someone bringing in a few piles of oriental rugs. I had never even considered buying one. I figured the sun from my southern exposure would just fade it, it would get dirty and have to be dry cleaned, and besides, I'm not much for flowery things in my house.

But as I watched the rug video on my computer to get myself ready for my shift, I began to warm up to the idea. I not only warmed up, but I got so excited about the fact that whole families got to work together in their home, schools were being built, and artisans were making a good living, that I was determined to buy a small rug before the end of the event. I had also found out on the FAQ page that these rugs last for more than 100 years, they don't fade, and they clean up with soap and water. I would be helping to change lives simply by buying a rug. You really need to see this video!

The stacks of rugs were about waist high. As customers would ask about color and size, I began to help fold over the top layers to reveal the various rugs underneath.

I was helping customers and at the same time looking to see if there was anything that I could afford.

All of a sudden I began to get that feeling I get when I walk around the art museum, kind of awestruck. The exquisite designs took my breath away. The colors captivated me.

When I folded back the third or fourth layer in one of the stacks,  a particular rug came to life for me. I drank in the many shades of greens and felt as if I was standing in the middle of the most exquisite garden that I had ever seen. It's hard to explain, but something about that rug actually brought tears to my eyes!  

Somehow I felt connected to the artist in Pakistan who created the design, the shepherd who collected the wool, the people who dyed the wool, and the family who spent more than one year tying tiny knots by hand to keep alive a centuries old art.

When I found out how much it cost, I realized that I had to dig in to my savings to buy it.  But it seemed worth it for so many reasons that I can't even explain myself. 

That magnificent rug lives in my home now. In a way it has become sacred to me, my sacred connection to another family, and another culture that I may never get to visit in my lifetime.

Oh by the way, did I tell you? On the tag attached to the rug is the name of the family that made the rug along with the name the village where they live. I'm going to write them a letter of gratitude. If I hear from them I'll let you know.