In memory of my mom: Gloria Rochelle Geller

Today was Mother's Day in the US and Mother's Day is May 10th in Mexico. We even get a half day at school so people can celebrate with their families. I find this day a tough combination of joy for friends and cousins who have kids and are moms and sadness for the fact that I do not have my mom. It is a bit easier being in another place since every other commercial on tv is not about Mother's Day, but those email ads still come.

I decided to follow a few people on Facebook that posted a photo of their mom from last week through May 10th. I decided that it was a great idea to honor the woman who I still love dearly though she is no longer here. I am a product of who she was and who her mom was as well.  I lost them both too young, but am lucky to have a number of surrogate moms who are there for me when I need. So, I scanned one of the last photos that I have of her which is a picture from my friend's wedding.

This is a classic photo of my mom. She looked great here and it holds a place of pride on my photo shelf. It has gotten many comment from family and friends. My uncle (mom's brother) thought I was looking more like her till he realized it was her. Each one has made me smile and also made me teary. 

Today, I decided to spend the day on me. I took a yoga class for the 1st time in a few weeks (due to spring break and all) and then met up with my knitting/crocheting (critting) group - also feeling like I was honoring my grandma and mom since they were my teachers, for a couple of hours. It was a beautiful day outside and I felt good about my memories.  This evening, I read a beautiful post by Kami that she titled "My Women" that I just need to share with everyone. It inspired me to write this. Thanks Kami!

How I started with the hook...

Ok the quick version of how I started crocheting (and knitting for that matter because I am indeed a critter). My mom and grandma both knit and crocheted. I always remember watching them. Both my parents also did needlepoint and my dad was hooking a rug which sat in our living room for years. I really can’t remember which craft I began first… it might have even been looming pot holders, but I know that I wanted to learn to knit really badly. My grandma decided that I should learn crochet first and taught me by leading me through a granny square. :) I remember the 1st project was in a variegated purple yarn (my favorite color) and I was making a pillow. It took me forever to crochet all 18 squares - 9 for each side and years longer before I finally put them together. I wish I had a photo of it but with all the overseas moving I only have more recent digital ones… maybe there is one hiding in my dad’s attic. I liked when the whole family was crafty together. We had lots of types of projects going on at any given time and every time I pick up my hook (or needles) I have good memories of my grandma and mom.

Since then I have gone through stages with different crafts. I have crocheted many a kippah for my brothers, bags, hats, etc. I am really enjoying the sophistication in today’s crochet patterns. There are all kinds of new challenges to pick up.