Making Memories

From the time I was a girl I remember imagining what it would be like to be a grandmother.  Both of my grandmothers were a big part of my life, but they weren’t a part of my play.  We didn’t have sleepovers, unless my parents were along, and I don’t remember sitting on their laps reading together or having conversations.   Children played and adults visited.   

What I do remember most about my grandmothers were their homes, down to the smallest detail.  I often dream about those homes now as an adult.  It's a bit sad that I didn’t grow up feeling as connected to the women my grandmothers were as much as the connection I have to their homes. 

Now that I am a grandmother I do my best to create memories my grandchildren will carry with them.  I make them things, and we make things together.  They never come for a visit when I don't have a "project" handy for us to work on. 

  

One day a few weeks ago my oldest grandchild, Olivia, asked me to teach her how to knit.   I was skeptical.  I taught myself to knit as a young woman.  I wasn't sure an almost nine-year-old would have the dexterity/agility to manage the needles.  But her birthday was approaching and I was grasping for suitable and interesting  gifts for a nine-year-old girl.  So I began to research teaching children to knit. 

I decided to make this her gift.  I bought a knitting kit with child needles, some extra yarn, a spool knitting doll, an amazing knitting book for children, wrapped it up in a pretty decorative box with a ribbon, and gave it to her with the promise of a sleepover and a knitting lesson.  The sleepover was also to include a viewing of the new Disney Beauty and the Beast movie and some St. Patrick's day shenanigans.  

After our busy day she was a bit too excited and distracted and I thought twice about mentioning the knitting lesson.  But we started, with a little frustration.  Then there was a moment when I could tell something clicked.  Sure there were mistakes, but she had the concept.  And she was having fun.  That moment became a moment I will always treasure. 

Later in the evening she told her mom on the phone, "I'm knitting and I'm great at it."  She started out with the intention of knitting her mom a potholder but time was running short and she wanted to make sure she knew how to stop knitting.  So the potholder became a fairy blanket and she learned to do a basic bind off.   

First thing the next morning she grabbed the needles and the book.  She looked up how to cast on and did it again, without help from me.  I knew then my choice in books was a good one, and that a memory and hopefully a skill was born.

Get it here.

If you live here in Franklin County Kansas, I’m asking you to take the time read this post.

As of today, President Trump has been in office for 48 days.  Whether or not you voted for him, are you staying informed to see if he’s making good on his promises?  The realization of what a Trump presidency looks like is being laid out before us.  Are the actions of this administration beneficial to you and your loved ones, your friends and neighbors?    

Take for example the new Republican health care plan rolled out this week.  Did you know the new health care plan will greatly change how seniors pay for their health care?  Did you know that the maximum $4,000 tax credit will only afford, at most a catastrophic plan?  This means that seniors will have to pay for their daily health care out of pocket.  How will seniors on fixed incomes afford their regular doctor visits and medication?  This plan will dismantle Medicaid.  This is just one example of the new administration’s changes that frightens me.  So much of what this administration has done these past 48 days has made me want to do more than just complain to my family and friends  

No matter your party affiliation, are you feeling you’re not being represented in Washington?  Do you want to make sure the people who were voted into office are held accountable, are listening to their constituents, are doing their job?  Would you like to make a stand for issues important to you, a stand to protect policies that protect your way of life? 

Last night my husband and I attended a meeting held here locally.  Franklin Action Network is a newly formed group in association with Indivisible.  If you are unfamiliar with this group you can read about them here: https://www.indivisibleguide.com/web/

If you're like me, you've never been more politically active than making sure you vote in every election.  But now with the country divided, hate crimes knocking on my door, and I'm watching the rights won by those who went before me threatened to be revoked, I'm ready to do my part. It's empowering to find others who feel the same.

So in a way, this is a help wanted add.  We accomplish more when our numbers are greater.  The next meeting is scheduled for March 28.  Time and place are to be determined. It you're interested, and I so hope you are, message me or comment below and I will get you the information as soon as it's given.

We're just a group of regular folks living in Kansas who can no longer sit on our hands.  We're a group who believes knowledge is power.  A group finding a way to make our voices heard.