Stitching Together Memories

I have been blessed to know many elders in my life, including all four of my grandparents. My grandma Marjean (Stork) Cole valued a few things in life: education, self-reliance, and resilience. Born just two months into the Great Depression, she knew how much these characteristics helped those who had them and hindered those who did not. She instilled these values in her children and grandchildren through example.

As a teen, I learned that she would ‘happy dance’ at her grandchildren’s graduations. I was not expecting to be swung around in a hug after the ceremony. I have not again heard her giggle the way she did then – she was so proud of me.

My grandma taught me how to sew by hand and machine when I was a child. I remember laying under a quilting square with the quilting ladies from church where I would watch as the needle tips would slip in and out of the fabric. I would learn all they were willing to teach me about the different types of stitches and quilt patterns. I was in awe of how quickly those ladies could sew a pattern.

When my grandma set me up with my own chair, needle and thread, I was so proud and excited. She was patient teaching me to follow the lines and how to keep my stitches neat and consistent. However, she was a perfectionist, and would tear those stitches out if they were not right. As I got older and was around 10-years-old or so, she taught me about sewing using a machine with patterns. Each pattern symbol meant something and I learned how to match the pieces to make dresses, shorts and anything else I could find a pattern for. These lessons taught me that if I could not find it, I could make it – and I did.

When my girls were born (23 months apart and looking like twins), I made matching dresses with hats or headbands for several years until the girls decided that matching was no longer appealing to them. I was able to do this because grandma had taken the time to show me how.

One of my losses in 2020 was this sweet lady. She passed after a sudden illness on May 21st. I hold dear that she went peacefully and that most of us could say our goodbyes to her. I will never forget her pride in me at graduation, the dance and her giggle. My grandma taught me that if I am unable to find what I need then I can make it. Her blood and her love runs through my veins.

To my grandma Marjean, thank you. I miss you.