From the Heart
My mom and I are alike in so many ways. The exceptions, mostly, have to do with sewing.
My mom tried to teach me to sew. My mom tried to teach me to crochet. My mom tried to teach me to embroider. My mom taught me to cook.
One out of four isn’t the success rate for which she had hoped. You can lead the child to the hobby but you can’t make it learn. The child has to want to learn.
I did make a babushka in my seventh grade Home Economics class. It was torture for both me and Miss Rudolph.
Mom still crochets at the age of 91. In fact she is taking orders for her sock dolls. She makes the doll and then crochets clothes for them.
She has so much detail in her designs. She will tuck a handkerchief in the pocket of a boy doll’s overalls. The girl dolls are adorned with a beret or bonnet. The skirts have belts in coordinating fabric.
Growing up, Mom would have McCalls patterns spread out over fabric on the kitchen table. I loved the clothes she made me. She hoped that I would someday make clothes for my daughter. It never happened.
Over the years she has crocheted afghans and sewn quilts. I have always marveled at her creations. However, I never had any desire to learn these things myself.
A few days ago I signed up for a Hand Lettering Art Class at the Dwelling Place in Atlanta. When I told my mom, she was so excited. She told me that I needed to learn to do something or I would be a lonely old woman.
I don’t know who laughed harder, me, my mom or my granddaughter, Alecksa. I guess there is still hope for me. I guess you really aren’t too old to learn something new.
I will tell you that I loved the class. While I am not ready to create a fancy sign, I will be practicing what I learned. Practicing, because I have found something I truly enjoy and want to learn more.
Maybe at 91 I will be taking orders for signs. Or maybe, I will still be baking chocolate pies like my mom taught me. I guess my mom would say . . . there is still hope for me yet!
Or . . . I may get around to writing my book.