Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

(1 Corinthians chapter 13 versus 4:7 NIV)

Love is laid out so clearly in 1 Corinthians and yet sometimes feels so unclear in real life! Happy Valentines! I must admit yesterday I totally forgot about a present or a card, my only saving grace was that my husband did too. It's fair to say gift giving wouldn't be either of our love languages. Thank goodness for quality time and acts of service! 

When caring for someone living with dementia one of my main worries was making sure they knew I loved them. There are so many distractions and things you have to do and go through when someone is living with dementia. Are they clean, have they eaten, have they taken their medication, are they physically comfortable? Sometimes the daily tasks of physically caring for someone can feel overwhelming and you feel like emotionally you have nothing left to give when it comes to spending time together. I would feel guilty that I didn't know how to sit in the same way I had before with my loved one and spend time together. Ironically I was doing all those things because I loved them, I adored them and we eventually found new ways to spend time together but it didn't come naturally all the time and was hard shifting as their dementia progressed. I found comfort from 1 Corinthians, my love was being shown through being patient, being kind and doing things without becoming proud. I stayed trusting, hoping and doing all I could to protect the person I loved. 

In the care industry Tom Kitwood created the flower of emotional needs which is made up of the things that need to be met in order for us to feel loved. These include identity, occupation, attachment, company, inclusion. If we recognise and respect important parts of some ones identity, recognise and provide an occupation, provide company and a reason to feel attached its possible for people to feel included,  helping them know and feel loved. As I design clothing I try to keep all these things in mind. I created Roaringly Precious because I love clothing, I love creating and I love people. I also believe that through clothing we can respect peoples identity, support their past and current occupation, attach them to the world around them with a tangible tool and promote their inclusion as people. 

In the fashion industry sometimes practises lack love, through Roaringly Precious we want to pump love and inclusion into the world of clothing, supporting people in a personal, purposeful and considered way. 

Happy Love Month my friends, may you be loved and may you love something or someone in your lifetime! 

Until next time, 

Sara x 

Posted in A clothing conversation on 15th February 2022 at 11:31am.