One Little Word: Thread


Whenever I examine my thread jar, I usually think of my Grandma Marion. Most of the thread in the jar came from her sewing box. As I look at her thread, I wonder what she made with it. Did she sew a teenager's taffeta prom dress or a wool suit or new chintz curtains for her kitchen window? My grandma always had an ongoing list of projects. And she knew how to finish what she started. Not much fiddling around when there were things to get done. Sometimes when I procrastinate, I can feel her gentle nudging, a hand on my shoulder reminding me that I tend to make things more complicated than they need to be. Grandma Marion had a talent for getting rid of what she no longer needed. She must of had a purpose for the spools that ended up in my jar or she would have gotten rid of them. It wasn’t that she was highly organized or rigid. Grandma just had a way of clearing the clutter so she could get her to do list done. If she could see my desk at school right now, she would do more that give me a gentle nudge. Knowing her, she’d pull up the waste basket and start filling it. Maybe I should take my thread jar to work with me for inspiration.

21 comments:

  1. I like how you look for your one little word and then there is the jar of spools and memories.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Terje. I really like my thread jar. I took a photo of it a while ago and have had fun editing it with Picasa and Picnik.

      Delete
  2. I like the way you have written from one word - what a lovely memory of your Grandma

    ReplyDelete
  3. 'reminding me that I tend to make things more complicated' I certainly hear that! What a wonderful piece about your grandmother and her gentle hand on your shoulder!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I loved the glimpses of your grandma and you that you provided with this post. I especially loved the lines when you were imagining what she made with each spool of thread. While reading, I was thinking about your posts earlier this year about updating your resume!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have my Grandmother's buttons (but not the jar :) and scraps of fabric from her attic. Someday I want to make something to remember her by, but can't decide what. I do know that it needs to be symbolic of her simple, giving life.

    ReplyDelete
  6. So much of what you wrote can be applied to writing and to life. I enjoyed reading about your thread jar!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you for writing about your Grandmother. I loved the little nudge.

    ReplyDelete
  8. That thread jar is truly inspirational. I need plenty of nudges, too. Thanks for reminding of my one little word.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a lovely post! I love the way one thought led to another and then another - lots of connecting memories. You certainly chose the right OLW!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a lovely post! I love the way one thought led to another and then another - lots of connecting memories. You certainly chose the right OLW!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like the way your OLW has such a special connection for you. I love the idea that the thread jar helps you stay organized by triggering your memories of her. Neat!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your beautiful post reminds me of my grandmother. I feel her hand on my shoulder quite often.

    ReplyDelete
  13. My grandmother was a seamstress also. She collected buttons in a flat tin can like you put Christmas cookies in. My mom still has the can.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Just love this post, first of all the image of your thread jar and the fabrics that your grandma may have used calls to my love of sewing. Unfortunately I never do much sewing these days. Mostly I love the word nudge and the image of your desk. My desk flashed through my mind - not pretty here in my room!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love the reminder that we need to write about what we know and care about. If only we would remember to do this with kids and help them to be more reflective about people and things around them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it is funny that I seem to write a lot about quilts and thread and sewing. It was a big part of my life growing up.:)

      Delete
    2. I think it is funny that I seem to write a lot about quilts and thread and sewing. It was a big part of my life growing up.:)

      Delete
  16. I often need that same kind of nudge - but this makes me think... who could I be a helper to with a little nudge for them? Great memories show through in your descriptions.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for reading my post. Please leave a comment.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...