February is an Awesome month! My grandmother’s birthday was February 7th and mine is today. I missed being born on her birthday by a mere two hours. We still always celebrated together, until I moved so dang far away. She and I did both eat at Applebees for our birthdays this year, just 750 miles apart. I also became a grandmother for the first time in February and Tristan will be two on the 24th, can you believe it?!
So, back to my grandma. I spent a lot of time with her when I was little. And one of the many things she taught me over the years was how to crochet. Now I don’t really do it much. I’d be surprised if I pick up a hook more than once every three years, but a few years ago I decided to make an afghan and that inspired me to think of myself, momentarily, as a poet. I don’t think I’ve ever shared the poem I wrote with her, in fact it was tucked away completely forgotten about until recently.
Grandma’s Little Girl
I’m lost in the motions
Over, through, under, through
Over and over, again and again
Repeating the motions until when
I’m able to tie off and hide the end.
I’m lost in the thoughts
Of a time long ago
When I sat on your lap
And you patiently showed
This little girl the secret code.
I’m lost in the feelings
In and out, around and down
Of the yarn in my hands
Wrapping the hook with strands
While the afghan expands.
I’m lost in the sounds
Of that time long ago
When I listened and obeyed
While you expertly crocheted
And I was amazed at the chain I had made.
The past and present collide
While my hands now expertly
Go through the movements
Grandma’s here in transience . . .
Oh, to be little again, just once.
So ok, I write poems about as often as I crochet. lol
Last fall I actually got meet, IRL meet, another blogger who shares my birthday, although she’s much younger. ;0) Happy Birthday Alisha!
PS – Mojo wrote a birthday post for me that made me feel all warm and fuzzy! Seems like a lot of birthdaying (here I thought I just made that word up, but spellchecker seems to like it) going on over there!
sharon said,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR LISA…HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU:)
ramblingwoods said,
A very Happy Birthday..Mine is on the 19th…
Alisha @ Izzy 'N Emmy said,
I thought that poem was lovely! Yet more evidence on how wonderfully talented you are! It’s great to read about the memories you and your grandmother shared, especially around your birthdays. I wish you and I could have shared this one. As I have said before, birthdays are scary for me. lol! The next time you run through, I owe you a drink. You and me while the hubby’s do their own thing.
I wish you the very best of birthdays tmrw!!! Thank you so much for sending me birthday wishes too!
*hugs*
SandyCarlson said,
Happy birthday, Lisa! That is a beautiful poem.
Margaret Davaz said,
Oh, happy, happy birthday, Lisa! How great to get to celebrate with your grandma.
I get to share my birthday with my oldest daughter. All that more special.
Cameo @–>–>—
Kathleen said,
I’m sorry I am a day late, but happy birthday dear lady. I want to see a picture of that afghan when you are done too. I bet it is beautiful just like you! Thanks for sharing these memories. Grandma memories are to die for! I cherish mine too.
shadow said,
lovely poem, you should give crocheting more of a go, heee heee heee. anyway, a mutual friend mentioned it was your birthday (yes, mojo) so have an absolutely super birthday. and i agree with him assessment totally, your photography is WONDERFUL!
dani said,
Happy Birthday to you Lisa! Hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends.
June said,
A very happy birthday to you…hope your new year is filled with health and happiness! I like your poem, by the way…its tempo is perfectly matched to crocheting …I know from having watched my mom, not from doing
Leora said,
Happy Birthday!
I feel honored to share a birthday with your grandmother. Charles Dickens was also born on Feb. 7.
Enjoy.
Jeanna said,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I really liked your poem, btw.
Kaci said,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Well I knew there was something special about you…….you share MY mother’s birthday as well. I’m planning on spending most of the day with her but I’ll be thinking about you as well when we get to the cake! Hope you have a wonderful day today.
Jan said,
Happy Birthday. Carrie and I missed sharing a birthday by 27 minutes. I’ve always thought it was good that she got to have her own birthdate.
Mojo said,
“Repeating the motions until when
I’m able to tie off and hide the end.”
What a great metaphor.
Hope your day is exactly what you want it to be girl!
Lisa Bryant said,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And happy belated to your grandmother. Mine was last week. Any more, it’s just another day to me. I made my own birthday cake. My husband bought me a dozen pink roses and our traditional 2 birthday cards. One serious and one funny.
Hope it’s a great one for you!
TTYL
Lisa
Aftercancer said,
Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday!
Stephanie Reiniche said,
Happy Birthday! I hope it’s been wonderful. How funny – I just finished my page in your altered bloggy book today!
Karmyn R said,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope you had a special day.
Oh – and I’m going to scraplift that card, okay?
Jenni in KS said,
Happy birthday, Lisa! What a special memory of your grandmother, too.
Beckie said,
Happy Birthday!!
Tracey said,
Happy birthday to youuuuuuu
Happy birthday to youuuuuuu
Happy birthday dear Lisaaaaaaa
Happy birthday to you…….
And many more……
How’d ya like me singing? ;0)
Dawn said,
Happy Birthday to you. My cousin’s birthday is on the 7th. He is in Missouri now. I love that poem you wrote; great job.
Jenners said,
Happy Happy Birthday to you … and your grandmother! I just LOVED the poem you wrote! It is so charming and loving. It reminded me of me and my grandmother … she taught me how to knit (but I’ve forgotten now). Lovely! Hope your day is wonderful!
Lori said,
What a great post and a great poem! I really loved it! Good memories. Be sure to share that with your grandmother.
Jessica Hunsford said,
Happy birthday, Lisa!
Carlos Bohorquez Nassar said,
happy belated bday Lisa, hope you had fun.
CC said,
Happy birthday (a little late). I was born 2 days after my grandma too and loved celebrating together!!!!
Barb said,
A belated very happy birthday!
margie said,
well, there you go!!! happy birthday to you.
Beth said,
Happy Birthday Lisa – mine is on the 26th !! I was my parents 1st anniversary present. We used to celebrate together (once I became an adult) also, that is until they moved to CO about 3 years ago. Birthdays just aren’t the same anymore …
Thomas said,
Amazing coincidence Lisa. I m born on 8th feb as well. Belated birthday wishes to you. I hope you had a great day and here’s wishing you a wonderful year ahead.
Far Side of Fifty said,
HI Lisa, Happy Belated Birthday!! Hope you had a really special day:)
Jettied said,
OOHH Iam a bit late..Happy Birthday to you!!!!
Mine was the last day in January…it was like -45 here I let it go right by!!
storyteller said,
Happy Belated Birthday!!!!! I’m sorry I missed it and hope it was happy. My mom’s birthday was the 11th of February … my ‘ex’ was the 18th and and mine’s the 23rd (making ME a Pisces rather than Aquarius). I enjoyed your poem ;–)
Hugs and blessings,