Our muses sometimes spark creative ventures exactly when we need them most: when we are feeling down, or desperate, or anxious. The embers may sit for awhile and then suddenly, clear out of the blue, they burst into flame with an urgency that demands creation. Such was my recent experience with this Dementia Activity Cushion.

I started with a very general idea of the “tools” I wanted my friend to manipulate, but I wasn’t at all sure how they would fit together. So I just poked right into the project, digging around and gathering various bits and pieces that seemed useful: an unused purple cushion; an outgrown plushy and sequined top from my granddaughter; a recycled balsamic rice bag (because it had a zipper – and words and numbers); some beads and cords and pockets, and at the last minute, a small flashlight. And then I set to work, thinking and planning and stitching, and keeping my mind occupied with doing.

My friend now has a lot of items to play with whenever she wants to keep her mind occupied with doing.

Zipping and clipping; tying and snapping; slipping and sliding. What fun!

I’ll find out tomorrow how she manages.