mittens

How the snow knew that the calendar had turned to the month of December, I will never know but it did. I was up just past midnight last night and just as I was heading up the steps to tuck myself into bed I looked outside and the snowflakes were gently falling. This morning there was a very soft coat on everything.

 

 

The work day was interrupted with news that my mom's cancer had spread to her liver. This will definitely be her last Christmas here with us. She has been so strong and beautiful everyday since her diagnosis well over a year ago that we were sometimes thinking that she would get her wish to live to the age of 100. That she would still have tales to tell and mittens to knit. 

Just after receiving that news I opened my mail and found something very special. It was a hand drawn postcard sent from Jill of the "today I saw" blog. As the header to her awesome blog says "I SEE SOMETHING. I DRAW IT. I SEND IT TO SOMEONE I LIKE."

 

I was the very lucky recipient of this drawing and it was perfect. I read it and then I cried. You see my mom taught me how to knit when I was a very young girl. She also helped me tackle my first mittens and was so patient with me when I stumbled when it came to making the thumb. She knit mittens for all of her children and most of her children's children. It will be up to me to continue the tradition. These last pictures show the last pair of mittens she made for us and I am so thankful that we still have a matching pair. 

 

Thanks for listening.

(My mom also taught me how to make pompoms and I hope to share her method with you soon.) 
  

Comments

[abby]

And thank you for sharing Margie. I just cried a little too. I am so sorry to hear of your mom's health news. And at the very same time I love this kind of synchronism, like little confirmations that everything is in it's place. Love and hugs to you and your mom.

[kelly]

Sending you much love over your Mother's news...

[Sonia]

Oh my friend, I didn't know your sweet mom was that ill :( I'm so heartbroken for you. She's been such a strong woman, and this tradition of the knitted mitten is something so exceptionnal, what a fantastic mother she is & has been. Please hug her tight for me, kiss her for me too, even though she doesn't know me. She reminds me of my grandmother, which passed away 11 years ago, of the same illness. She was so tender & sweet.
Thanks for sharing Margie, I know how tough this must be. oxoxoxo much love to you my friend

[Nanou]

Oh Margie, I didn't know about your Mom. She looked so healthy when you visited her with the magazine of your Missing Pieces Covered Stones a few months ago. I feel so sorry and sad and helpless ... I'ld like to be able to comfort you a little bit and to hug you strongly. The precious mittens your dear Mom knitted for you are a great comfort, warming your heart. And Jill's very special card too.
Concerning your magical weather, I guess your friend Jack informed the Snow that the cold December was arriving and that he deserved a beautiful white coat ...
Lot of love and all my warmest thoughts to you, dear Margie, and to your sweet Mom.

[Silvia]

Hello, my dad is dying of a liver cancer...it will probably be his last Xmas too so when I read this post I just...you know, cried but also felt encouraged to give him as much love as I can in the time left. Thank you for sharing your story. I send you both a big warm hug, Silvia

[EMMA ANGEL]

Aww bless her, i am sending you and all of your family a big hug and lots of love xx

[Jill Wignall]

Margie,
I’m so sorry to hear of your mother’s illness. I found it really very touching to think that the postcard I had sent you, had arrived on such a day and that it had made a small difference, along with the snow. Thank you so much for sharing this with me. Hearing about your news has made me feel sad and yet, I’m also greatly appreciative that my project was part of your day of unusual circumstances, like a little reminder that the world can be a very special place. I hope this sounds how I mean it to – I’m not too great at writing. Warmest Wishes, Jill xxx

[Nathalia]

I'm so sorry to hear about your mother's news. This post was just full of emotion and love, I found it absolutely wonderful how you plan to keep the tradition your mother made alive, bless you and your family. <3

Sending lots of love,
- Nathalia.

[Ellen]

Very sorry to hear about your mom. Spend all the time you can with her.

[annri]

i'm taking a deep breath and shedding a tear for you and your mother. thank you for sharing. much love to you.

- annri

[sarahblank]

So so sorry to hear about your mother. What a beautiful personal story here... the spread of the love of creativity that your mom passed on to you.
Take care,
Sarah

[ellen]

We are all too young to lose our mothers. I don't care what age we are; young or blessed to have had them for years and to have had them as grandmothers who love our children. It is always so difficult. Nothing makes it easier.
Life is a circle tho...I find my mother more and more in me and she has been gone since I was in my early thirties. I give thanks to her everyday and she brings me joy.
I am so very sorry for your sorrow and pain.
She is such a beautiful presence in your life and in the life of your family.
Take care.

[geek+nerd]

Margie - I am so sorry to hear about your mom. My best friend in junior high's mother died of liver cancer. Cancer is a terrible disease. I hope that you and your family have a wonderful holiday season, and that you are able to treasure these moments with your mum. xoxo

[saganaga]

my 75 yo mom went through esophagus cancer this year, so i feel for you, it will be a very special Christmas, take care

[Becky]

I just read your post and cried too. I'm so sorry to hear that your mom is not well. I lost my dad last year just before Thanksgiving and the holidays were very surreal. It's hard to believe that he's gone. Hold on to all that you have shared with and learned from your mom. I wish you peaceful, warm time together over the holidays.

[Sarah]

Amidst my own worries about my grandma (just broke her femur) and my little son (sick in bed with a fever) I have been behind reading all of my friends' blogs. I am so sorry to discover that your mother is suffering through cancer. I wish you peace in your time with her, and joy in your heart as you celebrate all that she has taught you and shared with you over the years. She, like you, is clearly a remarkable woman.

[Melissa R]

Oh Margie, I just have no words. Only tears.
How is your mom handling this news?

[joanie]

Margie, sorry to be so behind in my blog reading to only just find this. I'm so sorry to hear this news.
Though whether you're religious or not your mom will live on. She'll live through you, her other children, grandchildren and future generations to come. The mittens she made and taught you to make are indeed the perfect symbol of how she's shared her skills and the nurturing spirit you give your own children and that they too will pass on.
Out of all the outstanding images you've shared with us over time, the image of your mom's hands holding the Easter egg is still my favourite, such beauty.
Love and good wishes to you all.
Jx

[www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawn_wQ8DSe02Gw2CW9Vp66YSDwTmymetXJo]

I feel so bad and I am so sorry about your mum.I am sure she is happy to be seeing you continuing what she has taught you!Ariadne from Greece!

[melissa]

margie, i don't know how i missed this post last week, but somehow i did. i'm so sorry to hear about your mum. this will be a very special christmas for you all. sending you strength. xx

[mary]

Margie - sending you hugs from afar at this sad and difficult time - I see the strength in her in that wonderful photo of her and just know that you have inherited it...

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Very nice pictures you added here in your article man. I can't stop watching them and hope in the future your posts will be as good as this one.

[Trichozed]

The way of making it is very innovative.This helps me figure out the way.