Last week three older girls from some homeschooling families I’ve met came over to be Mother’s Helpers so I could continue to stay off my feet and let this baby safely and quietly incubate further. (We’ll hit the 36 mark in a few days. People are calling this a miracle baby. I’m not arguing.)
Two of the girls helped Rae and Mary Elizabeth in their architect roles, and they built huge dwellings using beautiful, handmade blocks my uncle recently made for my children. The buildings made the perfect homes for our saint dolls from Saint Luke’s Brush and Catholic Folk Toys.
Meanwhile, a 9-year-old girl started teaching Madeline (6) how to crochet. She was in heaven – not only because she looks up to older girls but because she has been wanting to give crocheting a try. So have I, in fact. I hear that it’s a little easier than knitting, so maybe I wouldn’t get so frustrated.
Madeline sure didn’t seem frustrated. As her little, patient hands worked, she was focused and happy. She’s not even really making anything useful yet. She’s simply crocheting a long colorful rope. She’s so proud of her work, though, and how long it’s growing.
“Look how long it is, Mommy!” she exclaimed.
“Crocheting is my new favorite hobby,” she added.
I watched her little hands move with confidence, joy, and with hope, too.
“I’m not ready yet,” she told me, “but when I get a little better I can actually make something. This is fun for now though.”
And then, “Do you want me to teach you, Mommy?”
Oh, sweet child of mine, I want you to teach me so much. Not just how to crochet but how to embrace the journey, the progress, and the belief that growth has direction and purpose even if it’s not all that obvious. I want to find joy and hope in the work that I do even if it doesn’t seem to have any real measure – at least not by our society’s idea of successful work. Be my teacher. Show me how it’s done. Show me how to cherish these beautiful stitches in time together.
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As always, thanks to Ginny for hosting the weekly Yarn Along posts!
WOOOW GO Madeline! :) crocheting is so much fun, you just have to keep crocheting and soon you’ll make lots of nice things :)
I don’t know if it’s easier than knitting, but it goes faster (which is great for me – as I’m really slow knitter) :)
lovely pic, good luck with learning to crochet, the net has lots of easy to follow tutorials
Coming over from Ginny’s Yarn Along. Wonderful crocheting! I am a knitter but have wanted to learn to crochet for a while now.
My grandmother taught me to crochet about that same age :) Fond memories!
It’s so exciting when our children start their yarn-journey!
Such a sweet girl :) I loved crocheting huge chains when I was little too. And a huge congrats on almost 36 weeks!
I want to teach both my kiddos to crochet this coming school year! This is just the reminder I needed!
:)
jen
Thank goodness for mother’s helpers! Congratulations on your book coming out. My copy is coming in the mail, and I can’t wait! I’ll send some prayers your way that all things go well with mommy, baby, and family. I love the little reflection you wrote at the end. I still remember when my grandma taught me to knit. I was around 9 years old, and the first real thing I made was a baby blanket for my youngest sister.