Friday, September 12, 2014

Giving Together by Aileen Fish

A few years ago, my mom and I moved closer to my daughters and their families so we could be more involved with the little things in their lives, as opposed to holiday gatherings. Not long after that, my daughter Aspen encouraged us to join her at a Project Linus meeting.

I've been a quilter for around ten years, and have knitted and crocheted since childhood. Mom has also knitted and crocheted since childhood, although she's given up the crochet work in recent years. So, joining an organization that makes blankets for kid in stressful situations like being hospitalized was a perfect fit for us.

In the few years since we joined, our family has grown. My daughter and her husband have a beautiful little girl, so of course, she had to join our night out with the girls.

Once she was old enough to hold a huge crochet hook, little Zoey was given her own ball of yarn to play with. I'll never forget the night she sat on my lap as I crocheted, but had her attention on her great grandma whose hands were flying with yarn and needles doing their thing. Zoey kept running her piece of yarn through her hands as if trying to figure out why hers wasn't making a blanket.

Our area coordinator loves the fact we had four generations attending meetings. There are a few mother/daughter pairs who come, and we've gotten to teach some younger people how to crochet or sew. One night some high school kids attended and learned how to make fringed fleece blankets. As much as I love the fact we're providing blankets—and security—to kids in need of comfort, I really love seeing these old skills being passed on to younger generations. Making something with your own hands gives you such a feeling of accomplishment!

Does your family participate in any sort of community event? Or is there some skill you've learned from a parent or grandparent that you have passed on to another generation? I'd love to hear about it.

~*~


Aileen Fish is a proud mom, grandma, quilter, crocheter, who somehow still manages to squeeze in time to write. Her latest release, HER SECONDHAND DUKE, is available at all major ebook retailers. You can find the buy links at her website, and on her Facebook page under the Author App tab.

4 comments:

  1. Aileen, that sounds like a wonderful project and it's great that you and your family are involved in it. I agree about passing these skills on to the next generation, but I'm embarrassed to say I don't participate in anything like this. Time for a change, I guess.

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  2. My grandmother and great aunt taught me to sew and crochet. I've done two quilts (1 badly). When I retire...someday...I'm going to return to quilting and master it. Until then, I'll admire your work and cheer you on!

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  3. Patricia, just passing the skills on is good enough, I think.

    Mel, you haven't seen my quilts, hahaha! Mine has been sidelined until I have time & room again. For now I crochet.

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  4. Love that you have found something you can do with all your family. I admire those who can sew, knit and crochet. I've never been that good at making things. I did knit scarves and try my hand at other things when I was young.

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