It's difficult to start this post as I'm still coming to terms with my mom's death the day before Thanksgiving. She was actually living with us after a serious health event when I started this blog back at the end of 2011 and was always such a fan of my stitching; I would get emails from her almost as soon as I would make a post because she checked here several times a day, even when I told her I usually only posted one day a week. During her hospitalizations and rehab stays in 2024 I would often use her iPad to pay her bills, and every time I opened her browser it would be open to my blog. So it's hard to write this knowing that she'll never see it, but I'm trying to find my "normal" again and stitching and blogging are a part of that.
The Thursday before Thanksgiving I spent a few hours visiting my mom and I started a Jim Shore Mill Hill ornament for a friend who was supportive while I dealt with everything this past year; we both love the cardinals that visit our bird feeders so I thought this ornament was perfect for her. My husband, son and I were supposed to go to my mom's care facility the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to celebrate the holiday there, but Monday afternoon she slipped into an unresponsive state so instead I spent Monday afternoon and all day Tuesday sitting with her and stitching while families gathered in the main part of the facility. I finished the ornament Tuesday night, and the next morning she left me. All that to say that of course I couldn't give the ornament away, so I decided to stitch it again for my friend and used 18ct perforated paper instead of the 14ct that comes in the kits. I really like the smaller version created by using 18ct and will definitely be using it for more ornaments:
I had received a Mirabilia model last August before things really got crazy here, so it was not quite halfway done when December rolled around and it was supposed to be completed by early February. It's probably good that I had it though, because stressing about meeting the deadline made me work on it even when I didn't really want to, and the stitching process started to work its magic and bring some much-needed peace to my mind and body. I finished it on December 30th and was able to ring in the New Year with no deadline pressure and working on an old WIP from about 13 years ago, Nora Corbett's Needle Fairy:
Oh Melanie, I am so very sorry for your loss. It'll take time for things to get to what will be the new normal, but I hope you are on your way there. I'm glad your stitching can be some small comfort, and also a way to always feel close to your mum.
ReplyDeleteSo yeah, let's see where this new year will take us!
Thank you Leonore. It will take more time, but at least I can see the beginnings of that new normal now. I did forget to mention that my mom bought me my first cross stitch kit when I was in college, so I'll always have that memory as well--she is definitely intertwined in my stitching.
DeleteSo sorry to hear about you Mom's passing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stitching, love Arezzo.
Marilyn
Thank you Marilyn, it's good to "see" you. :)
DeleteOh Melanie, it's so good to see your post! Be kind to yourself. We have a weird way of pressuring ourselves to do and to be that we would never think of doing to someone else, even in grief. Let it be what it's going to be. What a blessing stitching is. Your mom would be so pleased that your stitching is comforting you and gently bringing you back into life. Keeping you in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I'll always remember seeing your comment asking about me when things were at their absolute worst, a little ray of light letting me know that there was going to be a way forward.
DeleteMy heart hurts for you because I miss my mom dearly. It just hurts to lose your mom. Hugs. So glad you're finding happiness in your stitching again.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and I'm sorry for your loss as well; sending hugs to you.
DeleteSo sorry for your loss. It sounds like you have some wonderful memories of your Mum and a lovely photo too. She will live on in your stitching too.
ReplyDeleteMerry Merry is so pretty, the extra strand of thread makes all the difference to the Kreinik. Do you have Miss Christmas Eve stitched already? They make a lovely pairing.
Thank you Jo. I have the floss for Miss Christmas Eve kitted up but never picked a fabric; definitely want to stitch her, though, to go along with Merry Merry.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your sweet Mom. I love that you said she is intertwined in your stitching, treasure your memories.
ReplyDeleteIt will be three years this year that my Momma has been gone, and I still miss her. I have some of the things I stitched her and think of her every time I see them.
Your stitching is as beautiful as ever, the Santa with the cardinal is so perfect and lovely.
I have done the same thing with the Kreinik thread, it looks so much better. She looks great with that fabric.
Sending hugs and lots more stitches. ❤
Thank you so much; sending condolences for the loss of your mom. It is nice to have things that we've stitched for our loved ones, there are so many emotions stitched into and attached to them. Hugs to you.
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