Granny's angel would have been 15 today, and I'm still, even though it's more painful today than a year ago, feeling so very grateful for having had her in my life for 13 wonderful and happy years, during which she was healthy, bright, and beautiful, and a joy to her family. She was my first grandchild, and I decided quickly that this is what we have children for - to provide us with this kind of great, unconditional love.
She helped me set up the blog that I eventually renamed "Possibilities, Etc." as she was intensely interested in fairies at the time, so we used "Fairy Crafts."
She was my little apprentice and my bestest buddy, and so much like me, I think it worried her parents. When I was designing the pew markers for her church, Church of the Good Shepherd in Austin, I told her that one day in the far future, the white ones would be used at her wedding. She said, "Oh no, Granny. I'm going to be an archaeologist and go dig at Jackson Hole." My kind of girl - my avocation besides Marine Biology, so I would have been right there - with knitting and needlepoint in front of the camp fire.
As the first grandchild, it was her privilege to name me, so I was named "Granny," with her father's coaching. Several years later, we were watching an episode of Beverly Hillbillies - her dad's favorite as a teenager, and she was looking very intently at an exchange between Jethro and Granny. Then I told her that was where I got my name. She looked at me, and said "Whose idea was THAT?"!!! I did tell her that the Queen of England is also "Granny."
The needlepoint canvas is one I drew and intended to stitch, but as her sister, Julia, was "on the way" I waited for her - and then never got either one of them worked.
Anyway, as I stated last year, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you." (a scripture quote that I can never remember where to find.)
ADDENDUM: After the lovely offer to stitch this piece for me, I need to explain that we lost her on Memorial Day weekend of 2008 in a freak accident on a four-wheeler. I have this piece, along with Julia's in my collection of Madeline things - her paintings and other treasures. She left me her two bags of knitting and needlepoint threads in her will, and I had written my will, leaving her the molds we made when we did pottery together, and all the glazes, etc.. She is the child of two lawyers - so of course she had a will at age 13.
9 comments:
I am so sorry for your loss. Do you want me to stitch that piece for you?
Many thanks - but this is in my box of "Madeline treasures" along with her paintings etc. I will do it myself some day, along with Julia's (Dec. 21, 98)
You will never forget and I hope that what you remember is all happy!
Your loss is profoundly sad and I'm very sorry you've had to go through this. The love and connection to your grandchild is so beautiful. Take good care.
Hi Judy,
I'm so very sorry for your loss.
Thank goodness you have wonderful memories of your times together.
Cynthia
Windy Meadow
I am so sorry for the loss of Madeline. It sounds like you and she had the same wonderful relationship I had with my grandmother.Very special. I am sure she felt lucky to have you as her granny!
What a beautiful name. I always thought if I ever had a child, I would name her Madeline. It wasn't in the cards for me but you were both so fortunate to have such a loving and caring bond. I'm so sorry for your loss. May you continue to be comforted by all the memories you have of Madeline.
Thank you for sharing a tiny piece of her with all of us.
I am pleased that you have shared this treasure with us. I look forward to when you show us the finished piece. I am sure there will come a day when you feel you 'need' to stitch it.
My heart goes out to you, Judy. I hope your memories are a comfort, that and knowing that people care.
Big hugs.
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