I guess today I’m waxing a bit NOSTALGIC. *She looks into the near distance, hand propped under chin and sighs.
I was reading a blog post several months ago about spinning yarn, not telling stories, either, but really spinning yarn. I know, “Why were you reading about knitting?” you ask. Well, this blogger said something that stuck with me. Here’s what Ashling wrote in The Confessions of a Would-Be Mountain Woman:
“[The people in the shop] told me that their local spinning group (Elmendorph Spinning Guild) had 40 people show up for their monthly meeting. What does it say that so many are returning to this ancient art?”
My comment was: “As to why people are returning to ancient art . . . I think it’s because we’re so isolated in this techi world of internet “love” that we crave a connection of some kind to our past. Just guessing, here.”
After reading Ashling’s post I dug out my grandmother’s quilts and studied the beautiful stitches she’d made my hand and marveled at her art and her skill. Now I do think my comment was right.
I want a connection with things that are tangible and things that give me a feeling of being connected with the people in my life. Even after they’ve gone from this world, they’ve left behind the traces of who they were and where I came from. How about you? Have a need for connections to your past?
Leslie Rose says
BK – before kids – I was into quilting. I loved exploring the origins of the patterns. Cooking and telling bad jokes are the family heirlooms that I still treasure from my southern family.
Empty Nest Insider says
I also agree that connections to your past are key in determining your future! The quilt has a story all it's own, and should continue to be passed on for generations to come. Thanks Lee! Julie
Fairday Morrow says
I think it is important to have a connection to our past and those around us. I also think that knitting and other similar items are a productive way to get together and socialize. I used to know how to knit- but I haven't done it since I did it growing up (with my grandma). 🙂
~Jess
C. Lee McKenzie says
I grew up with my grandma, too. How luck we were to have these people in our lives.
Ashling says
What a beautiful quilt, and how lucky you are to have that tangible reality of connection of with your grandmother. But I hope you realize that your writing is something that will live on long after you. You're touching lives, and decades from now someone will remember a scene, a sentence, a story….will remember how it affected them, what dreams it birthed in them. Your writing will curl aroud them just as much as your grandmother's quilt can curl around you.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You're comment is so lovely. I truly appreciate you're visit here.
Jennifer R. Hubbard says
I think people also like having a sense of capability–that we can still do practical things, that we don't have to do everything via computer or buy everything ready-made.
Carrie Butler says
Absolutely! I never really got to know any of my grandparents, so it's nice to have photos and keepsakes of theirs. 🙂
Arlee Bird says
We live in such a disposable society where it's unfashionable to keep anything too long. I like to have things that I've taken care of and kept for a long time. Some of my favorite things that I own are some of my old books and records albums. Just today I finished reading a book that I got when I was in high school and that was the last time I read it. I understood it much better now, but reading it also connected me to that time when I was a more passionate reader than I am now.
Arlee
A Faraway View
An A to Z Co-host blog
Deb Marshall says
Boy oh boy, you gave me chills and tears….I have all my mom's knitting-her needles, her wool, unfinished and almost finished blankets and I have been thinking on them a whole lot lately. That, and connections to my past–my dad, my brother. I really do need to explore this more…especially after reading this post. You have me looking back too! Thank you.
M Pax says
Yes. I have kitchenware from my grandmothers' kitchens. Things they used everyday, that I now use almost everyday. I love that connection. And I admire the old sewing and how even every stitch was. It's amazing. I think deep down, we all still have a need to connect with our humanity and others.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I think about patience every time I see those carefully hand stitched creations of my grandmother's. I'm nervous when the microwave takes more that three seconds to heat dinner! No patience.
Glynis says
Very much so, Lee. Especially living in another country. I shipped over my Grandmother's china cabinet, and fill it with little nostalgic bits from the family.
Catherine Stine says
Yes, I have my great aunts and my great, great uncle's photos on my screen saver. The uncle was a children's author of school textbooks and wrote about Darwin, way back when. He inspires me. And this weekend, I'll be headed to my niece's wedding, where I'll see extended family. Can't wait. I love my Internet peeps and I also need to see live people, live family and do tactile stuff like painting and gardening.
C. Lee McKenzie says
A very nice balance, Catherine–Internet and real family! Have a wonderful time at the wedding.
Samantha says
Absolutely. My Greek great-great grandmother used to take bits of string and make doilies out of them (she and my great-great grandfather were recent immigrants). Nearly one hundred years later my family still has them and for me it's a reminder of how hard my family has worked to be where they are today. Thanks for reminding me again.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
While not into quilting (I'm sure that doesn't shock you) the connections I appreciate the most are the stories told by my parents, and by grandparents when they were still alive.
DazyDayWriter says
Absolutely, Lee. We are everything that has ever happened to us (or ever will happen) in this very moment … so it's good to look in all directions in life. And while "things" are impermanent, just like us, they provide a visual reminder. They offer solace and beauty. They connect us to our lives in ways we can see. Enjoyed this. Have a good day. ~ Daisy