Fearing a Wednesday.
“You need to loop the yarn over the hook and then make another loop... then pull through.” Her hands were like birds, threatening to fly off as she worked the crochet hook in her hands. Loop, pick up the stitch, loop, pull through.
My clumsy ten year old fingers couldn’t quite manage as gracefully. I kept dropping loops and the stitches would just melt away.
“You need to catch the loop, Miss Kerri.” She showed me again. Loop, pick up the stitch, loop, pull through.My wrists were like sandbags. I couldn’t make then arch the way hers did.
“Kerri, the loop.”
“Grammie, I can’t.”
“Can’t? Yes you can. I can, damnit, and I’m fifty years older than you.” The yarn spun from the end of the skein, sending the navy blue cotton spooling across the floor. Loop, pick up the stitch, loop, pull through.
I stuck my tongue out and concentrated really hard. Her crochet work always came out so beautifully. I wanted to learn.
Grammie waited patiently while my ten year old self tried to catch up.
Later this week, the doctors will biopsy the tumor on her kidney and see if it is the cancer we are fearing.
She’s the only one I have left. The last five years have already stolen my Grandpa, my Bumpa, and my Nana. She makes the best sugar-free apple pies. She does handstands in the mud at family picnics. She’s the last one. And the one I fear losing the most.Loop, pick up the stitch, loop.
Pull through.
Comments
Hi Kerri, Thinking of you! xxx
Posted by: Lea | July 25, 2006 01:48 AM
A simply powerful entry, Kerri. I'm sending my very best thoughts your way.
xo, N
Posted by: Nicole | July 25, 2006 08:04 AM
Kerri, learning to crochet (which I am doing) is nothing compared to learning how to pull through. Sending you and Grammie good thoughts.
Posted by: Michelle | July 25, 2006 08:40 AM
Big hugs to you and your Grammie! I hope you get back good news.
Posted by: Penny | July 25, 2006 09:04 AM
Thinking of you and yours...please let us know if there is anything we can do.
Posted by: Scott K. Johnson | July 25, 2006 09:16 AM
*big hug*
hope everythings goes ok.
:-)
Posted by: v i c k i | July 25, 2006 09:43 AM
What a poignant post. I hope that everything goes well. I'll keep you and your Grammie in my thoughts.
Posted by: julia | July 25, 2006 12:34 PM
You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: George | July 25, 2006 02:36 PM
My thoughts and prayers are with you Kerri - and I will be saying extra special prayers for your extra special Gramma!
:>) and a big hug ( )
Posted by: Donna-Taocat | July 25, 2006 05:33 PM
*hugs*
Posted by: rachel | July 25, 2006 09:42 PM
You're in my thoughts, I hope that you get good news!
Posted by: Nikki | July 26, 2006 07:37 AM
Kerrie,
You and your family are in my thoughts. I hope everything turns out for the best!
tek
Posted by: Tekakwitha | July 26, 2006 08:30 AM
You, your Grammie, and your family are in our thoughts. Keep us posted :)
E & D
Posted by: Elizabeth Zabell | July 26, 2006 10:21 AM
OH MY GOSH! I have a Bumpa! I've never heard anyone else call their grandpa Bumpa!! Very cool :)
Posted by: Kelsey | July 26, 2006 11:06 AM
I hope she's doing okay. She does handstands! Hell, yeah, she's a keeper. I shall send some white light her way -
Laura
Posted by: Laura G. | July 27, 2006 09:30 AM