Stitch Over Time

This is a 'stitch' because I'm not much of a "stitcher" compared to my sisters, but I always enjoyed crocheting when I had more time. I started this colorful afghan before I had children and the green one was left when grandma Anne passed away. She'd started it and included several rows at the corner of the square (the one she always told she learned from hearing the directions over the phone). That is certainly not something I could do, but my grandma could do just about anything when it came to crocheting or knitting. My plans were to finish these for my two sons as gifts. One day I decided I had to finish these two blankets that they had been asking about. Feeling sort of bad that I'd let them sit so long, decided to get going again. My poetry is always inspired and I had a moment in this process where I completely forgot what to do with the colorful one and wasn't sure what I'd so with it. I really wanted to finish this and so decided to ask her. This is where STITCH OVER TIME came from. There are two crochet stitches I learned long ago from my grandma Anne that I hoped I'd always know. One she called a "ric rac" all fanciful and bright with shades of many colors of dark, medium and light. The other came out as a square with no specific name she learned it over the phone from a friend who could explain. Throughout many years she'd really found her nitch even the last years of her life she found she still could stitch. More patterns and more yarn she never seemed to have enough continuing to give to others though at times it could be tough. A 'ric rac' that I started that I started just after she passed away still sits unfinished to this very day. Today I started in again experiencing trials and errors forgetting a specific stitch decided to ask her. Just a minute later as clear as I could see looking back on that row I knew she's answered me. This 'ric rac' should be done many a time it would have been to be given as a gift to my son who's turning ten. The other crocheted treasure meant for someone she had in mind has many shades of green like beautiful evergreen pines. It too shall be complete as soon as can be to be given to my other son instead of to me. This will tell the story of a lady oh so fine.... and the meaning of this poem of mine called STITCH OVER TIME.

Dad's Pack

Dad's Pack This past New Years Day the boys and I were saying our goodbyes at grandpa and grandmas before heading back home. My nephew was there as well. As we got our last load in the car and were ready to leave, my dad walked downstairs saying he has something and to wait. When he returned I saw this old yellow pack in his hands. He gave this pack to me and I was overjoyed to receive it since I knew he'd used it for nordic skiing. In fact, it was the pack that carried the 12 lb. load in the Norwegian Birkebeiner Ski Race in Norway. The weight is still required to be carried by those skiing in this challenging race. It represents the 12 lb. baby and future King Haakon being carried by two men of the Birkebeineret to safety during a dangerous and turbulent time in Norway. Dad always said of all the nordic ski races he completed, this was the most difficult. It symbolizes much more for me personally and those are expressed in the poem DAD'S PACK On this New Years Day I received a special pack A treasure from my dad used in travels back. It held a certain purpose in a worldwide race It carried extra weight with a sure and steady pace. By a strong and loyal man who always had a dream That never lost his will nor his courage or his steam. It will serve as a reminder in times that I need strength That any challenge can be met no matter what the length. In future trails I blaze I'll wear by dad's old pack That will carry all my dreams and I will never look back. The places that it's been and the future load it holds Will bring a special joy of stories to be told. There will come a day when I will need a hand To help me carry my load or to simply take a stand. This is when I'll know that courage should not lack A burden can be placed inside my dad's pack. Then it can be carried with the same goal in mind To strive to the finish and never look behind.