When I was in the third grade, I learned to crochet. I sat on the playground at recess with my third grade teacher, Mrs. Turner, whose gentle ways and lovely voice (especially when reading Charlotte’s Web aloud) were like a balm to my soul. I don’t remember how the lessons came about, but at some point I had a crochet hook and some yarn, and she was teaching me how to chain, single crochet, double crochet, and Granny square. I remember Daddy punching holes in a butter dish, and I crocheted a purse out of it. That was one of the first things I ever made.
My biggest project I never finished was begun sitting on the catwalk next to Mrs. Turner’s chair. My Mama was expecting a baby in the fall, and I was making the baby a blanket. Back in the days before most folks found out what they were having, they made this–ummmm–lovely yarn, a pink, white, and blue blend. A kind of “cover all your bases,” multi-purpose yarn.
I worked on row after row and somewhere along the way, I lost the energy, resources, drive, I am not really sure what exactly, to continue. All I know is by the time my baby brother was born, I had a nice blanket for my stuffed animals that sometimes, over the years, doubled as a scarf when we played dress up.
Poor Bubba.
Last week he called me to let me know he’d mailed me a package. He cautioned me to be careful when I cut the box top open…..it was just a few things, like piano books, and something he thought might belong here that had made it home with them after their latest visit.
We talked again on Monday, and again he mentioned the box. Which was on my doorstep by the time we got off the phone.
I was curious, as I started to open the box that seemed to be bigger than just a few piano books and a miscellaneous something…..
and then there it was.
My new rescued afghan. Bubba talks about a place they love to go up there where he lives–the Gift and Thrift. All the treasures they find there that he tells me about, I get a little jealous, I don’t mind telling you. He had mentioned a while back about seeing some afghans there on occasion. When he and his family were visiting right after Christmas, he encouraged me in my goal to make my own Granny square creation. He’s called a couple of times to get my count…..of how many squares I’ve made so far.
But on one recent special day, he found himself in the Gift and Thrift and there was this afghan, and he thought of me so he got it.
But wait, there’s more. In a ziploc bag in the box, there was a stack of Granny squares, just waiting to be joined together and made into something magical.
Wow.
My mind boggled at the color possibilities–and what to create?
As I set the squares aside and looked at the afghan once more and a little more closely, I saw what a treasure it really is.
Twice in the rows on this creation, I spied with my little eyes, the baby blanket pink, white, and blue yarn…..the same yarn I’d started his baby blanket with a little under 39 years ago.
Well if that don’t beat all.
My heart is full. To be known, understood, and thought of–that is love. To have him be so excited about sending it and surprising me…..that was the icing on the cake.
Tonight I’m thankful for my Bubba, the little boy who changed my world all those years ago and continues to do so today, and for his wife who pays attention to things like what kind of piano books my littles use and picked out some especially to encourage them in their playing.
And the top piece of the Playmobil circus tent is back, and I never even knew it was missing.
My heart is full to bustin’. I’ll leave it with y’all tonight. Off to wrap up in a blanket filled with love and memories and dream about what to make with those squares. Suggestions welcome.
Love to all.
I Might Need A Nap 