Being able to say "good bye" to something loved is such a wonderful thing. Glad you had the opportunity to do so, and in the company of so many folks.
Damn, you're a beautiful writer.
Damn.
Congratulations.
Well put, and well done. A toast to your Olympic success. Because this IS an Olympic success.
Gold medal
I'm honored to be an Olympic winner alongside you. I'm so glad you had the chance to immerse yourself in the process one last time. You'll always be a knitter in your heart and in ours!
Congratulations, and... wow. So beautiful and heartbreaking all at once.
You may be saying good-bye to knitting, but what a "hello" to writing and whatever's next in line for you!
Wow. I'm sad and happy for you at the same time. I hope you find something else that feels so "home" to you.
You did it.
We witnessed it, here.
It's now gone.
But you can't undo that we know you did it.
We will do it, unwitnessed.
And we will remember
You.
Thank you. Just...thank you. To my mind, you are the epitome of "winner."
Thank you for sharing your win. I'm humbled by your greatness.
Looking forward to more of the written word.
Beautifully executed, Lene.
Only your mother, sister and you (and maybe Michele) will get this - and everyone else will think I'm trying to offend you.
Having said that...Here goes...
Wow...All that just so you could blame your mother for f***ing it up.
Well done, and beautifully said. I'm so glad you met your challenge.
pass the tissues.
You are an incredibly gifted writer.
Veni, Vidi, exii.
You are a brave woman. I admire you. Brava.
I'm with Lana...pass the tissues. And poke John for making me laugh when the tears were coming down my face.
Lene, you are just awesome.
sniff, sniff, congratulations Lene. And boy, you sure can write! Could I get a tissue over here too! What a lesson in letting go!
Congratulations - you did it.
I still remember the joy of getting the beautiful slouch socks you made for me. They warmed my cold toes (and my heart) for a very long time and inspired me to start knitting again after several years. I thank you for that gift which continues to give me so much pleasure.
You win.
Congratulations Lene, for your win and for your courage to recognize the time to say good-bye, which is never easy.
Congratulations, If anyone deserves a gold medal you do. It is a shame that they don't do a platinum 
Well, we all need tissues! I have such mixed feelings about you doing that.
Hey there. I'm so proud of you for doing this. It took perserverence and courage to try it one more time.
I too, am a receiver of a pair of beautiful socks which sadly have a hole in the heel (I don't believe in slippers)... I was waiting with baited breath so I could happily hand over said socks for repair. Instead, I'll relegate (damn I miss spell check) them to my pillow so I can touch them when I feel down.
The last picture took my breath away.
Here's to finding new outlets whatever they may be....
(and yes, John, I did get that. I don't think I'll forget that moment at dinner. I was in total shock)
You are a true champion.
Well done. We all have something to learn from you. We all need to let go and go on.
Congratulations on your gold medal, Lene. I've been cheering for you sister!
Remember it for what it was. You're braver than anyone else I know.
I don't think there's anything I can say that hasn't already been said but I couldn't not comment. Thank you for your beautiful post ... I feel like it may just change my life.
O, brave heart ...
O, daring child ...
O, fortunate mind ...
Sail on.
Fabulous post and congrats. Truly.
Sniff. You have the gold medal in my book. What a great post.
You have no idea how many times during the Olympics I thought about Stephanie's entry about her "friend who was going to knit one stitch a day." That story stuck with me from the moment I read it, and never left. In fact, I even shared it with quite a few people because I was so inspired by it.
I had no idea when I clicked on Stephanie's link today that it would take me to your blog, the blog of the "one-stitch-a-day" person, but I am SO happy to have had a chance to "visit" with the person I have thought so much about during recent days.
I remember reading what Steph wrote about your hands(forget which bookbookbook it was) and being moved to tears by it. Now you've done it again, all by yourself. I salute you and your wonderful spirit, and only hope I can be as brave when/if I have to give up something that means so much to me.
Onward and upward!
Congratulations on your finish and your beginning, Lene. And thanks, John, for the laugh.
I don't now which are blinding me more - the tears of sorrow for your lost love, or the tears of sheer joyous pride at watching a fellow human achieve such greatness of spirit.
Thank you.
Thanks for reminding me, it's all about the journey.
blessings and blessings and blessings to you. Clearly, you've been one to at least 39 of us. (Am I # 39?) At LEAST. Thank you.
Thank you. I liked yours best.
Good girl. The other title would be from Reynolds Price, "A Whole New Life." Onward.
Lene- I have RA, but am still able to pass as able bodied. You write beautifully. I got a lot of comfort and peace reading this post.
Damn, I shouldn't have read this at work - now I have to explain why I'm crying! I don't have words to tell you how moved I am and how inspiring your words are. You are most definitely a gold medal winner.
That's the best bookmark I've ever seen.
As soon as I read your title, I knew you had to be a Michael Marshall Smith fan, and the way you wrote that piece confirmed it.
It's my favourite book for so many reasons, but partly because I know I find letting go incredibly hard and, like Stark, keep things alive just to be able to still live them.
When he finally lets go and stands in Memory hugging Rafe, I always cry. Thats the bit your post reminded me of - he looks out at his parents house and mentally says goodbye and wishes them well and he can finally let go and move one.
Congratulations for being able to visit Memory and to walk back out a whole person.
Mithranstar x
Ripping out a project that wasn't meant to be is cathartic. And way cheaper than therapy.
Good on ya, Lene.
Aww! I'm happy & sad for you all at the same time. Congrats on your accomplishment!!
Oh, dearie. That's one of the best and most moving things I've read in a long time.
I didn't know you, or your blog, before I clicked on the link on Yarn Harlot's entry from yesterday, but Wowsers! What grace! (in all senses of the word) I've been having a really terrible time, the last six months of so, saying good-bye/holding on to some parts of my life that just aren't gonna happen. I think, I'm going to have to unravel those dreams and let them go. Thanks so very much for giving me an example of real courage. ;o)
Pass the kleenex....
--Sue
Lene, you are wonderful.
To me, you merit the diamond medall.
Hugs
Thank you for writing about your Olympic triumph.
Lene, you are such a strong person. I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but I was recently diagnosed with RA. Every time I read your writing about the battle you've had with RA, and see that you are living life to the fullest nonetheless, I feel encouraged.
Thanks for writing this.
...applauding, even thru my tears.
(Give that woman her GOLD!)
Bravissima. Bravissima!
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