This newsletter is dedicated to my sassy, spunky, spirited, clear, blue-eyed sister soul, Sally Ann Czerwonka. Click here for Sally's obituary and to get a “flavor” of her. She was and will always be truly a gift of the soul.
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Sally made over 250 “quick point” pillows during her last few years. She continually found innovative ways to create. When she wasn’t able to see the finer very small point of other needlepoint projects, she found these larger stitches and went to town. She loved giving them to people and letting us pick out patterns that were meaningful to us. Here are a couple of photos: |
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Sally got very, very sick last August and was in ICU. She had less than 25% heart, lung, and kidney function, she declined dialysis and her family was all brought in to say their goodbyes. She accepted it as her time to go and told me directly with a clarity of mind that most will never even experience, that it was “okay.” She decided to go home from the hospital to die and MANY ICU medical professionals/specialists/hospice workers all assured her and the family she would not live long enough to make it to her home. They predicted she would live less than 3 hours. She proceeded “home” anyway. 10 months and a few days later, she died on Mother’s Day in her bed, in her home with her dear loving daughter in the next room, and her other daughter and beloved granddaughter nearby. All of them had shared her caregiving all these months. |
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Sally Daily Dance Medicine! |
Rock out with Sally on Instagram.
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The last time I saw her was Easter Sunday and she was naturally in a wearier state AND was still able to laugh, enjoy her Asti Spumante sips, which she smacked her lips over and engage with our hearts. From my first time meeting Sally, Sal, Gege, we had a heartstring, her eyes, knowing eyes, grit, resilience, and an uncommon determination and devotion to living more FULL out than anybody I know. |
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She fell and broke her pelvis at age 91 and most expected that to be the “death of her.” She rallied around, physical-therapied her way back into full function. Just a few months later, she fell and broke her right/dominant wrist. She taught herself to sew left-handed and continued making her beautiful pillows like nobody's business, and declared she would be well enough soon for another cruise. We were able to take that cruise in May 2022. Her last cruise in this physical expression and one that I will live the rest of my life JOYFUL that I said yes to going. |
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At age 93, she had all her teeth, her hearing, her eyesight without glasses, dentures, hearing aids, etc. She was a wonder to behold, physically gorgeous and vital, emotionally clear and spectacularly self-defined, spiritually aware without any unnecessary intermediaries or religiosity, and wholeheartedly determined to LIVE LIVE LIVE. To say the least, she was an enormous inspiration to me and many. |
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She was also my stylist. She loved to shop and had a great eye for fashion and beauty. She wanted me to look nice for my work. She got routinely irritated with me, disappointed actually, because I wouldn’t wear jackets. They are simple to heavy and hot to me. She believed it was necessary for professionalism. I understood. She understood. My standards for her shopping for me were, “It must roll up in a suitcase, come out looking like it was NOT rolled up in a suitcase,” be lightweight, washable, and work for my busy lifestyle. She scored over and over in this area and was still sending her family out to find me new things right up to the month of her death. She also would tell me the truth if something “didn’t work,” sometimes laced with a profanity or two, for example. No, God damn, not that! Clear, honest, direct laced with unmistakable heart. My virtues for living. |
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While I was visiting last August for her imminent departure, her family had her last pillow in the room with her in case she felt like sewing. Her niece was finishing the pillow for Sally. I asked her if I could put a few stitches in the piece. I hadn’t sewn anything much since I was a young girl. She graciously allowed me to add some stitches to the pillow. I got hooked on the ease and grace of the “quickpoint” technique (which I hadn’t done before). I immediately ordered a pillow kit and begin sewing one for a special gift for her daughter Diane’s birthday. She loves dandelions and that was an easy decision for which pillow. |
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“I’ll never forget this moment."
— Sally Czerwonka
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She donated some of her pillows for me to send to one of my inspiring charitable organizations with delight. Here’s that link if interested in donating in Sally’s honor.
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My first memory of “stitches” was with my namesake Aunt Martha, an old maid in our family, who midwifed births and deaths. She didn’t have a home of her own and went to stay with members of the family who needed support. She was my caregiver from birth so my momma could return to her factory work to support our family only a few weeks after I was born. She lived with us for the rest of her life, dying when I was 14 years old. I remember that day shockingly well. I actually “blacked out” unconscious when they told me she had died. It was as though I had been “unplugged,” similar to a vacuum cleaner when it stops suddenly. I don’t think we will ever understand the complex connections of our souls and the depth of the heartstrings. |
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“Changing lives for the better, one stitch at a time."
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My Aunt Martha sewed anytime there was “spare” time. Which was not all that much due to the large family household duties, cooking, gardening, canning, freezing, etc. She could make anything out of rags, quilts, and patchwork. She loved to do embroidery too and considered it a luxury, not as essential as quilt works. My momma loved to sew too, although she was more tomboyish. She loved making quilts, appliqued shirts, and stitched baby gifts. I would add a few stitches here and there, but never took on any project as my own. |
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My great/grand niece Hadilyn is now age 7. When she saw me doing the needlepoint stitches, she asked if she could do some stitches. I was delighted and gave her a little lesson on how to go about the pattern. She was a natural. I asked her who she wanted to give the creation to and she thought long and hard before answering. When she answered, she said, “I would like this one to be for me.” JOY JOY JOY! She got one of Mar Mar’s needlepoints and the one with her first stitches. One stitch at a time, indeed we change the world. |
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“I’ll never forget Sally Czerwonka."
— Martha Creek
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Rest in Peace my dear Sally — you have brightened the world in unspeakable ways and will continue to from your new dimension. I delight in seeing how you remind me to stay honest, clear, direct, and looking good. I love you always and all ways. I’m better because of you. |
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Wholehearted hugs dear readers and friends. May your heart be lightened today, miraculously.
All my love,
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Martha Creek
502-905-0783
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My June 2023 Special Gift for You! |
And here is my special gift to you this month.
Click on the box to open your gift.
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Join me in June and July classes if possible. Please encourage and invite others interested to join in. No fees or registration required. Donation basis.. |
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June 2023
Atlas of the Heart
Evening Workshop/Classes book by Brené Brown
Time: Monday, June 5, 2023, 6:00 P.M. Central Time (US and Canada) Every week on Monday, until June 19, 2023, 3 occurrence(s)
- June 5, 2023, 6:00 P.M.
- June 12, 2023, 6:00 P.M.
- June 19, 2023, 6:00 P.M.
Description: Join Rev. Dr. Martha Creek for a 3-week series of higher SELF-connection and miracle-making. from 6 to 7:30 pm CENTRAL TIME. Love offering basis. No Registration Required. Please share with interested others. So often, when we feel lost, adrift in our lives, our first instinct is to look out into the distance to find the nearest shore. But that shore, that solid ground, is within us. The anchor we are searching for is connection, and it is internal. To form meaningful connections with others, we must first connect with ourselves, but to do either, we must first establish a common understanding of the language of emotion and human experience.”
— Brené Brown
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 895 2937 4404
Dial by your location
+1 309 205 3325 US
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July 2023
5 Signs of Life
and How to Use Them Webinar
Join Rev. Dr. Martha Creek in a 3-week series to "Discover One’s Own Worldview” exploration. 6 to 7:30 pm CENTRAL TIME. Love offering basis. No Registration Required. Please share the invite and info with interested others.
Time: Tuesday, July 11, 2023, 6:00 P.M. Central Time (US and Canada) Every week on Tuesday, 3 occurrence(s)
- July 11, 2023, 6:00 PM
- July 18, 2023, 6:00 PM
- July 25, 2023, 6:00 PM
Carl Jung says “The powerful forces of the unconscious appear, not just in clinical material, but in all activities humankind uses to experience itself.” Jung advocated that symbols are the psychological mechanism that transforms energy. And Joseph Campbell says “It is the artist who brings the images of manifestation and without images (mental or visual) there is not manifestation.”
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 822 9587 8310
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,82295878310# US (New York)
+16469313860,,82295878310# US
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
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Here’s the link to the daily reflections from “The Science of Mind”:
Please feel free to use and share them in any way beneficial.
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Check out the cruises I’ll be taking in 2023 and join in if possible:
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Join me at the ANTN retreat conference on Oct 2– 6 in 2023 at the gorgeous Unity Village near Kansas City. www.antn.org/event-4960280. It’s a tremendous week of renewal, learning, and joyful connection.
http://www.danielnahmod.com is our musician. https://jeffonseely.com is a keynote speaker. It includes the largest labyrinth in the US, hand-carved/hand-laid stones, exceptional retreat, and conference keynotes, and the dearest community gathering of New Thought friends in all the land.
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Please subscribe to YouTube channel for immediate notice of all new videos, interview series, etc. Please “like” and “share” postings from Martha Creek public figure media platform.
YouTube handle: YouTube.com/@marthacreek
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Purchase the book below: Kindle version $1.99, Print copy (black and white) $11.99 or Full color — loads of photos ($24.99). PLEASE PLEASE leave a review on Amazon to continue to further UPLIFT these teachings.
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Read what someone wrote about the book:
Martha's words are wise, honest, real and come from her heart. Each "pearl" opens my heart and mind to possibilities, to a lesson for me told in her own loving, and very often humorous way. They bring laughter and tears, and a deep gratitude for the wisdom that she shares from her own experiences. Martha's precious personal stories bring her experiences right off the page into my world, allowing me to remember stories of my own. Every page gifts me with an idea, a truth or a lesson that I know will bring me closer to the truth of who I am.... and for this I am eternally grateful.
Bunches of love, Mary
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"Life is the Dancer. You are the Dance”
— Martha Creek
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Please consider a donation to continue the teachings of Martha Creek. Many of the classes and workshops are offered by donations only, with suggested donations amounts included in the class or workshop description. We welcome your support. |
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You do not need a Paypal account to make a donation. You can use your debit or credit via PayPal if you don't have a Paypal account. If you choose to send a check, please send it payable to Martha Creek and send it to PO Box 1081, Louisville KY 40201.
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