Grandma has been at rest for over 20 years. It seems like just yesterday that I was visiting her with my children.
Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just you all day and now the day was complete.
— Marcy DeMaree
Everyone loved Grandma! She was my only Grandma most of my life; my Mom’s dear Mother had died when I was only 5 years old. I have few memories of Nummy, though all are cherished!
A garden of Love grows in a Grandmother’s heart.
— Author Unknown
But my Dad’s mother, the one I called Grandma, was an integral part of my life. She was always there, listening, playing, and teaching. Grandma made the best cookies: chocolate chip, peanut butter, and snickerdoodles were her favorites. She always had ice cream in the freezer and cookies in the jar. My love for her was not the treats, however, but rather that she gave of herself. She would sit down and listen when we talked. She was so excited when something good happened, and would console when things seemed bad. Her most important gift to me was her time.
Grandma serves kisses, counsel and cookies daily.
— Author Unknown
Grandma taught me to crochet when I was very young, probably about 5 or 6 years old. I wasn’t very good at it at the time, but I could make a very long chain! But Grandma was patient and calm as she guided me beyond the chain and onto single and double crochet techniques and beyond. I still love to crochet, not because we need warm scarves and hats in Florida, but because I feel so close to my Grandma when I am weaving the yarn into a beautiful array of rows of colors. I can hear my Grandma praising my work, even when it’s not perfect. I hear her encouraging me to keep trying, to make it even better. And then I hear her ask me if I’d like a cup of coffee or tea. Often that thought brings a little tear in my eyes as I realize we are not to share those little chats over tea anymore on this Earth.
One of my favorite Christmas presents from Grandma was an afghan she crocheted for my bed. It was created with my favorite color, purple as the base color, trimmed in white and a matching green, and had my name in large crocheted letters. The many hours she had spent on that afghan showed in it’s perfection, but the love that it attested to was much greater.
Grandma’s crochet lessons have stayed with me all of my life and I’ve shared them with my children. I see her, even with arthritic hands, crocheting with a rhythm that seems to come from the way she bounces her knee and hums along, though there is no actual music.
Crocheting is one of those traditions that keeps families cohesive; Grandmas and Moms teach their children, who keep the tradition with their children. I know some families that have lost the traditions, crocheting, sewing, cooking, or whatever they once held and they speak with a little sadness that they do not have the traditions of past generations. I urge them to pull some new ones together, or reach for those lost, and begin anew with their own families!
Would you like to learn to crochet? There are plenty of resources available, including local classes, meet up groups, and even on line learning such as YouTube. One of the best choices would be to find a friend who knows the skill and is willing to work with you; the time you spend together will fill you with new memories to share!
Grandma taught me to crochet when I was very young, probably about 5 or 6 years old. I wasn’t very good at it at the time, but I could make a very long chain! But Grandma was patient and calm as she guided me beyond the chain and onto single and double crochet techniques and beyond. I still love to crochet, not because we need warm scarves and hats in Florida, but because I feel so close to my Grandma when I am weaving the yarn into a beautiful array of rows of colors. I can hear my Grandma praising my work, even when it’s not perfect. I hear her encouraging me to keep trying, to make it even better. And then I hear her ask me if I’d like a cup of coffee or tea. Often that thought brings a little tear in my eyes as I realize we are not to share those little chats over tea anymore on this Earth.
