josephine

That's my maternal grandmother, Nana, in the snapshot. My cousins called her Gramma "Jo" which is the name she went by. Jo O'Keefe. Funny how we didn't all call her the same thing. She was a nurse, a kind, gentle woman with quiet, graceful ways. My mother says she was a talented flower arranger, something I think about every time I stick a stem in a vase now. This snapshot ended up on my dress form so it wouldn't get lost one day. It's from my 5th birthday party at Holiday Hill.

Nana was a country girl, a little uncomfortable in the fancy society of a doctor's wife living in the suburbs. I remember a patient, caring grandmother who loved the outdoors, the simple pleasures of a day with family, out in a field or in a cabin. She passed away when I was a little girl and my memories are faded like the print dresses she wore, but I have her knitting bag and the paperback knitting guide she used. Her penciled handwriting is ghosted out on some pages, but those were the patterns I learned by heart, using her notes to set them in my fingers. The patterns are for unfussy pieces, sturdy ribbed sweaters, socks, mufflers and sailor's watch caps. The Brooks Jacket was my favorite to knit for my girls.

Thinking of my Nana and my mom today, of the gifts and talents they passed along to me, casually, just in the day-to-day of things. Thinking how so much of a person can be present in so much of what we do, who we are- and we hardly know it. It's tough to pick that out sometimes, to see those threads among the rest of the weave. That sturdy, sensible part is a strong maternal thread and I'm so grateful it's woven in to keep the other parts of me in place.

Nana would be proud of my crafty ways, my affection for the past. She and my mother too would have loved the luxury of an event like Silver Bella, a getaway celebration of women and the traditions of art and craft that we share. We are such a fortunate generation of daughters and granddaughters- cut from the same cloth, but embroidered with lots of splendor and sparkle. And love, lots and lots of good old-fashioned love.  xoC

Comments

[deb]

Just lovely. Warms my heart.

[yummygoods]

I had a Gramma Jo, too!

[Sally]

I love this post Charlotte!

What a lovely tribute to your grandma. This one really tugged at my heart. You are so lucky to have your grandmothers knitting bag and guide. I loved reading that you used her patterns and wove her memory into much beloved items.

I don’t have either of my grandmother’s needlework things. I wonder what fate they met? I did find a box of recipes from my maternal grandmother, written on index cards and snips of paper. Sadly my dad’s moms recipes passed on with her, having lived within her and never written down - some of which I have such profound sensory memories of.

Recently I found some of my mothers clothing patterns from the 50’s – so much fun! Shirtwaist dresses with tiny waists and huge skirts. Slinky cocktail sheaths. I also found the booklet she was given when she took sewing lessons. Her measurements entered in her now fading handwriting. Miss you so much mom!

I was so sad when I couldn’t find her button box – which was actually a china donkey pulling a cart - my mom would put stray buttons in the donkey’s basket. I used to love playing with it and all the buttons when I was a child.

Thank you for the sweet memories this afternoon.

Wishing Grandma Jo's granddaughter a wonderful time at Silver Bella!

[Frivolitea]

What a lovely tribute to your grandmother!

[jenny b harris]

What a fantastic post, thoughtful, warm, and so heartfelt. You wrote this from a cosy place near your heart, didn't you? By the way, I really wish I could be at Silver Bella, it sounds like it will be incredible. Have a fantastic time!

[Crystal]

I love that you wrote "...a person can be present in so much of what we do, who we are- and we hardly know it. It's tough to pick that out sometimes, to see those threads among the rest of the weave." That's almost exactly how I described my grief and love when my sister died.

Anyway, I love this memory and tribute. And that your name for her is Nana. I have a Nana, too. Can you believe that I'm almost thirty and still have all four of my grandparents? I'm lucky. Thanks for sharing your sweet thoughts.

[Teresa]

Yes, I bet they would love an event like Silver Bella. Such a touching post.

Teresa

[Robin~Thrifty Miss Priss]

Beautifully written...If only our Mothers and Grandmothers would have thought themselves important enough to do something like Silver Bella (I'm so jealous!)

[Jill]

Lovely post! I feel the same about the threads in my cloth - I know which are from my grandmother, which are from my mom, my dad... And I can see the various threads in my children too.

[Cre8Tiva]

this makes me remember all the women who came before me and helped to make me who i am today...i try to set aside time to be close to them and thank them every year...thank you for reminding me to do this soon...blessings, rebecca

[Stephanie Vanderslice]

I am the oldest (by 8 years) of nine cousins but am the only one who calls my grandmother "Nana," because that is what I called both my grandmothers. I like having this special name for her that no one else uses. And of course, my children call their grandmother (her daughter), Nana. She would have nothing else. I think Nana is an "especial" term for grandmothers, like grandma squared.
My other Nana died when I was eight and I have similar hazy but no less delicious memories. From her legacy I cling to:
her eighth grade autograph book (she writes she loved the singer Morton Downey)
her bread box
her Tiffany-style lamp
her wedding and engagement rings
(her wedding ring is also mine).

[suzi finer]

bringing up memories. my sister lives in my grandparents old duplex; the closet still smells like my grandmother (I stick my face in there whenever I'm feeling lonely.)

[Lovie]

I REALLY needed to read this today. Yesterday, I sent my sweet daughter and grandaughter off to Hawaii (I am in TN) This reminds me that she will remember me. I have a 5 yr. old granddaughter that lives nearby and i love to plan "craft days" with her. She loves it and your post reminds me that someday our craft days will be some of her favorite memories of growing up.

[Bristol @ Cottage by the River]

Loved visiting your site, just beautiful. I just started blogging in August and crafting again, I love it!!
Bristol

[annie lockhart]

hey charlotte...just love this tribute to your nana...it really touched my heart...the partial line "my memories are faded like her print dresses"...and "her handwriting is ghosted out"...and "a strong maternal thread...woven in to keep the other parts of me in place. i just love those visuals...so beautifully written and shared. i am so glad to have found your sweet blog.
ps...i too am called nana! an endearing name i hear each time my little texas granddaughters in their twangy accent call out to me.