Yesterday my friend Beth posted a picture of her in a prom dress that her mama had sewn. It took me back in my mind to a similar gown that my Aunt Mary had made for me. I messaged Beth back after I’d gone through boxes of pictures to find my Robin’s egg blue dress with white trim at the bodice. We chatted back and forth about the wonder of these women in our life who sewed without a pattern. My aunt would have me lay down on a piece of white paper from a roll and would trace an outline of my body and would make me clothing based on that gingerbread-girl-type-outline.
I found a picture of me in my gown and although it wasn’t the polaroid that I remember being taken in my aunt’s basement where her sewing area was, it was enough to catch the similarities in our homemade gowns.
While looking for said picture, I found numerous other pictures. As I shifted through the boxes, I realized that I’ve always enjoyed taking pictures and that my dear mama fostered my creativity as I ran my fingers over encouragement that she had personally given me and I cried more than a tear or two.
I miss my mama.
Today, in my Gratitude Journal, I’m giving thanks for people that have gone on to live with Jesus.
I came across this beautiful picture of Mrs. Holderby, my childhood Sunday School teacher. Oh the contrast of age in this picture. Her in the sunset years, and me a sprout, just beginning in an orange check ensemble, also made by my aunt.
Mrs. Holderby made a pattern of knowing Jesus and pursing Him in my young and impressionable days.
Gratitude Journal entry:
Thank you Lord for mama & Mrs. Holderby & pattern making women who stitched beautiful memories of the most important *things* in my childhood. Though some are gone, I am thankful for the pattern that has been laid out before me.