Saturday, December 27, 2014

Grandma's Garden


My grandmother came to America from Sweden on a boat alone..at age 15.  I still have her trunk and her ticket stub.  She was to meet a sister already in Boston.  Of course, once here, they did not get along and my grandmother made her own way.  She started as a cook in some of the rich houses in Boston.
Grandma was born in 1896 and died in 1996.  For most of my life, she lived with us.  She was my best friend..so smart and clever.  She taught me so much, including how to sew.
  She loved cards.  By the age of 5 or 6 she had taught us all how to play Canasta so she would have someone to play with. 
 Incorporated into this snowball quilt are undamaged pieces of her handwork..eg..doilies, her napkins from cards, tea towels, etc.  There is a guest towel where the damage was great and "guest" and "towel" appear in this quilt in different blocks.
 My mother was her only child.  My mother just died this May.  Although she had Parkinsons, she was clear minded and wonderful.  She was a poet, having published two poetry books in her 80's.  This quilt was often on her bed in her assisted living.  My mother fell out of her wheelchair on her way to lunch bunch and broke her neck. She was dead in a week.  93.  I miss her so.
 I am now raising my grandchildren.  I hope to teach them Canasta and how to sew..And the generational beat goes on.

4 comments:

  1. So sorry for your loss, but what great women you have had go before you! And this quilt carries those memories and those stories. My great grandmother came from Sweden too, gave birth on the ship over, they really inspire us don't they? Thanks for sharing.

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  2. As sad as this post reads, I am so happy that it evokes memories of your grandmother for you.. I am so sorry for the loss you have had but what a beautiful thing to have in your heart! This snowball quilt is precious! I do love all her stitching included in the quilt. It is incredible that your mother published two books in her 80s.. I guess age is just a number and limits are what we make for ourselves! Thank you so much for sharing the quilt and your story.

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  3. After reading your first post on the 24th, I took some time to read various entries in your O'Quilts blog. One of the quilts I admired there was this snowball one with memories of your grandmother ... & how I laughed when I read about her canasta "plot". You have had & still have many challenges in your life. I hope that you find inspiration & satisfaction in joining this new blog & I look forward to seeing more of your quilts.

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  4. What a beautiful story of the generations before us and how they inspire us to go on. Thanks for sharing...your quilt is lovely.

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