Memories in the making

Being the oldest in a family of 6, I guess I could say that I (may) have the most memories tucked away in my family "bank", to think on at my leisure.

This past long holiday weekend, one of those priceless mementos was played out at my parent's house last Saturday when we stopped by to see my brother and his 2 children. My Mom had a quilt on, as she quite often does, and when I walked into the living room, I couldn't believe what I saw.

My nephew (8 years old) and niece (6) were working intently on Mom's latest project, just as if they'd been quilting for years--seriously. For something fun, my mom had taught them how to stitch and they took to that like a duck to water. Their little hands were working the needle, slowly and carefully, following the pattern, while telling us that "Gram now has 2 new helpers".

I've tried the quilting thing and it was not for me. After a couple of stitches, a prick to my finger and tangled thread, I immediately put down my needle for good--needless to say, I'm severly "handy-work* challenged.

But those 2 little troopers stuck with it and they were getting quite good. Of course Arend got out the Canon and snapped a few shots of our newest recruits for future projects. My niece (with the most serious of looks on her sweet face) looked at Mom and said, "Nanna, if you need help with this next week, you call me and I'll come out"--Too, too cute.

It's an amazing thing to watch grandchildren learning from a grandparent, the old "ways" that today's generation have all but forgotten, or, have never even seen done.

Now, as a new grandma, I'm wondering what things I can teach my "little one" when he visits this weekend. One thing is for certain, little Riley will never learn the art of quilting from me. I guess that only means he will have to visit his Great-Grandma for a few lessons. But not for a few years.

I know I keep writing about my experinces with all the youngsters in my family, but I can't say it enough--"Spend time with these people, who all too soon grow up--they have so much to offer and so much love to give--you'll not be sorry you gave of your time to enrich their lives as well as your own."

Blessings on this 8th day of August, Barb