Happy Mother's Day

I was thinking about my mom who passed away several years ago.  She had Alzheimer's -- the most degrading and evil disease there is.  She was an amazing woman.  She was an exquisite needlewoman, embroidery, needlepoint, bargello, bargello, and cross stitch.  My sister and I are blessed to have several examples of her needlework.  She was also an extraordinary seamstress.  She made our prom gowns and our wedding gowns.  She made a beautiful long christening gown for my oldest daughter, and it has been worn by all the female babies in our family.  I didn't always appreciate you talents.  As a teenager I always wanted to just buy my clothes like all the other girls.  As an adult, I still examine clothing to see if the plaids match, a sign of a well made garment.  When I owned Heirloom Stitchery, she finished all pillows, Christmas stockings and anything that needed sewn, and she did it well.  Everything I have learned about the needle arts I learned from her.  She was already gone when I learned rug hooking. 

I'm sure most of you are also remembering your moms at this time, and maybe you are still blessed to still have her.  Let me tell what I did to my mom long ago.  I became engaged on Christmas Eve 1964.  I was 18.  My fiance and I planned on a wedding in May of 1966.  In August of 1965 we decided to move our wedding up and get married that October, which was just two months away.  Come on, let's get real now.  You know how 18-year-old girls can be......  The wedding was for over 350 people.  My mom made my gown, veil, 2 junior bridesmaid dresses, the flower girl dress, the ring bearer's pillow, headpieces for the two junior bridesmaids and the flower girl and nade her own blue velvet suit.  She made me help sew the pearls and crystals on the lace for my gown.  (How dare she?  I just wanted to spend time with "Jimmy."  Two weeks before the wedding she got bursitis (I wonder why), but she pulled it off.  Amazing huh?  I went through my life always thinking that it didn't matter what problem came along, my mom would be able to fix it somehow.  She was only about 69 when she first showed the signs of Alzheimer's.  From that point we started to lose her. She passed when she was 80 years old.  She only got to know one of her great grandchildren and she had 15. 

Forgive me for this long reminiscence.  I've just had her on my mind lately.  I hope you all still have your moms and if not that you have many wonderful memories of her.

Later today I am going to dinner with my two daughters.  Lisa's husband and Missy's finance are working out of town and won't be home until Monday.  We haven't been able to do this in a long time, and I'm really looking forward to it. 

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden

fall upon us; when adversity take the place of prosperity;

when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us;

when trouble thickens around us, still we she cling to us,

and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels

to dissipate the clouds of darkness and cause peace

to return to our hearts.  - Washington Irving.

Definition of a sweater:  A garment worn by a child when its mother 

is feeling chilly.  - Ambrose Bierce

That would be my definition of a sweater.  How about you?  May all of you have a wonderful day tomorrow whether you are remembering how much you miss your mom and how wonderful she was or just enjoying the day letting your family honor you. 

Next time I write, I will have a new mat to show you.  

  My mom and I on my wedding day........HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!