Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Worth Mending

Sewing a button that had come off on my apron today, I noticed it looked as though it had been mended before. This apron- one of three in our house, and by far the sturdiest (the others having come from the dollar store and Tanzania), was inherited by me at some point from E's beloved grandmother. She looms large and loved in E's family memories, and was in many ways the center of his extended family. She passed away before we were engaged. While I met her- probably on several occasions- I know her by far the best through Steve and his Pop, who survived his wife by over 7 years. We have several things of hers- some costume jewelry I took mostly to share with our then-potential, now-flesh-and-blood daughters, a cedar chest I adore, and a gorgeous mirror and tray set. I felt a matriarchal connection tonight thinking how she had taken on this same little task, probably in the last third of her life, with likely far less existential thoughts. I hope I leave behind things worth mending; I wonder what they will be and who will be taking on that task.


Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Growing Girls


Sunlight stream falls on Saturday dining table.
Former baby carefully balancing spoon full of milk and cereal
Precarious trip from bowl to mouth.
Former toddler intent on tray of pink LEGO
Triumphantly pouring over pictorial directions.
Suddenly, I eat in peace, if not quiet.