Where I've been
I'm sorry I haven't written a post for such a long time. On April 24, I flew from my home in Germany to Iowa, where I grew up and where my parents still live. Since then I've helped care for my mother, who is very ill, and helped my father with a move to a new home. My three brothers have supported my parents as well and it's been a time where the spectacular way my parents raised us has become apparent. They are reaping what they sowed and it's incredible.It's been wonderful to be with both my parents, although I would choose different circumstances. Until things are on a more even keel, I won't be writing posts, as family comes first. Be assured I will return to my embroidery and to sharing it with all of you, my dear online embroidery friends and students.As we moved things from their old home to their new home and the house emptied, things that guided me towards my interest in, and love of, textiles stood out in the empty spacesThe first was my mother's Singer sewing machine on which she first taught me to sew. It still works and works well - I had to take in a pair of blue jeans a few days ago and I remembered how to thread it as if I last used it yesterday, not 45 years ago!
The second thing is something I've never used, but always knew I would own one day. It's a spinning wheel that's been passed down from mother to oldest daughter since it was purchased new in the late seventeen/early eighteen hundreds. There is some research to do to determine the original owner and the spinning wheel needs repair before it's usable again. I find it inspiring that it's been passed on from mother to daughter as directed by the original owner, who undoubtedly believed that it would be a necessary part of any female ancestor's household, so long ago.
The last thing was a surprise. For years this sampler has hung in one of the bedrooms in my parents home. I saw it, but never thought much about it, assuming it was something my mother found in an antique shop or even at the huge church rummage sale she has helped to organize for years. However, when I took it off the wall, written on the back was a note that it had been worked by my paternal great grandmother. Her family was German and she spoke German. I met her when I was very little but don't have any recollection of it. What a joyful surprise in the midst of a difficult time!
Liebe Grüße,Kathy