Can’t really believe it, but I had a card to prove it, amongst scores of others and so many loving messages on Facebook and Twitter I couldn’t count them. I sha
ll have to start answering at least a few of them. But what a day yesterday was. At the end of the day, I had a family tea party with my daughters, son-in-law, daughter-in-law whom I’ve known since she was 18 and love dearly, my lovely, loving grandchildren and some of my great-grandchildren. It was absolutely lovely – just look at the pics!
I’m going to do the proud mother, grandmother, great-grandmother bit now, that first pic is me and my grandchildren. Remind me to do a bit of growing, I’m shorter than any of them! Second pic is my youngest grea
t-grandchild happily toddling about in the living room! The bulge behind the curtain is
my son-in-law waiting to jump out and chase her! In the next picture my granddaughter had prevailed upon her to sit up to the table with her brother (more or less), I rather like this picture as it shows our four generations – or at least one set of them. 
And here are my daughters giving me a cuddle – bliss. By the end of the day I was quite squiffy with hugs and cuddles, presents and cakes. Normal service will be resumed as soon as my feet touch the earth again.
Beryl Kingston Blog 
I can’t believe it, either!
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What’s In Front of Me
For Beryl on the Occasion of Your 85th Birthday @LatelaMary
mlatelablog.wordpress.com
I have my favorite crochet hook here on the desk. I’ve been holding it, and it almost speaks to me.
My Grandma taught me to crochet. I have few memories of my childhood (subject for a very long story), but I remember this well. Grandma and I were sitting on the back stairs and she was crocheting one f those fine, delicate pieces, a doily or a tablecloth. She used fine twine and a narrow needle. She made tiny perfect stitches, but she could do this while carrying on a conversation, or just sitting close.
I asked her if someday she might teach me how to crochet. And she asked, “Why not right now?”
I was thrilled to pieces!
Looking back, I supposed Grandma had looked forward to this day, to this event. She went in, pulled open one of the drawers of her sturdy Singer Sewing Machine, and took out some things. She came back with a big crochet hook and some wool yarn.
And she taught me how to do a chain stitch, and soon a single crochet, double crochet, and how to make a circle and a rectangle … all by myself. The healing power of that time together lasted …. Well, so far, a lifetime.
Many years later when I was in the midst of the “long divorce” and a challenging period, Mom asked if maybe I’d like to crochet something. I had not used the hook or the knitting needle for ages, because the husband thought handmade goods were second rate. I decided – right then – to make an afghan for my twin bed.
In five days – five day!!! – I completed a very fine granny square afghan of many colors for my bed. Mom supplied me with yarn, a few skeins at a time, my favorite hues – pink, purple, maroon, white, etc. I worked so fast that my fingers looked a blur as I stitched. When the blanket was finished, I lay on my bed, covered up with the new creation, and enjoyed a peaceful nap, the first in a long time.
I kept the afghan for about ten years, took it wherever I moved. One morning I work up and realized that the healing was near enough to complete that I could pass on my work. I gave the cover one last wash and dry, then sent it on to the women’s shelter.
I still crochet (and knit) and I do find comfort in the process, the rhythm, and the underlying sweet memory of my dear Grandma, who made all the difference to me. In fact I made hats for the grandkids… the baby wants the hat made for the oldest child! Ha!
In friendship and with gratitude, Mary Ellen
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You are an inspiration and an example to all of us!
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Hello my lovely. Thank you. It was a great day.
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Smashing photos! Congratulations and best wishes.
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Thanks Penny. It was a lovely party. And I’m planning another in June for me and my two sisters-in-law, whom I’ve known since we were all at school together and love to bits, It will be 80, 85 and 85 and I’ve warned them I’m going to get a ceremonial sword so that we all cut the cake together.
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Just amazing! What a clan you make, and don’t you and your daughters look alike!
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Thanks Kate. It’s the family face. And that’s only part of the clan. When we all gather there are over 80 of us and that IS a party.
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I read this post after Are you a poker or an Indian rubber? and my husband looked over and asked why I was smiling. I realized he could see only my eyes over the screen of my laptop – so, I guess that answers that question. 🙂
A very belated, but sincere, Happy 85th, Beryl! I wish you many, many more hugs and cuddles! xxxx
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Welcome fellow India rubber. I think I’m a very lucky creature. I get so many hugs and cuddles.xxx
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