Thanks for all your kind comments last week. Events surrounding my grandma's funeral all went well. I had such mixed feelings because she was 88 years old and lived a good, long life. There is still sadness, but it was also enjoyable seeing family I haven't seen in years.
Miss C and I took a trip back home for the funeral. We left the hubs and the twins to fend for themselves. Three of my four siblings made it home. My youngest brother from Boston didn't make it, but we understood his absence considering his wife gave birth to their second child just four days before the funeral.
I returned to the normal craziness including two little kiddos who seemed to have saved all their grumpiness for me while I was gone. I did get to sew on Saturday for our guild sewing day. That's always a highlight.
I've been thinking a lot recently about how grateful I am for things. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with all I try to fit in. I get frustrated will all the little petty things in life. My life gets a bit frantic and very frustrating with three small kiddos. I even get overwhelmed with all the blogs I follow and projects I see. For some reason I see all this great inspiration and feel like I have to keep up with everyone, make spectacular projects constantly, and do it all right now. I seem to forget what is right in front of me, what I have, and what I have actually accomplished. It's too easy to compare ourselves.
I was reminded last week how much I have as I again heard stories of how little my grandma had and how difficult her life really was at times. She grew up in poverty, lost her first husband in a hunting accident when my dad was just five years old, then married again to the man I knew as Grandpa, but the marriage was very difficult for many, many years. Through it all she was a survivor. She raised four children and two step-children, and has 26 grandchildren and 83 great-grandchildren with four more on the way very soon. Her family was always very important to her.
Right now I'm trying to focus a bit more on what I'm grateful for and enjoy it. I'm grateful for my cute little family, for a home that keeps us safe and warm, for a husband who supports and loves me, and for a hobby that is fun for me and brings many wonderful people into my life. Even though I will never meet many of you, I appreciate the chance to get to "know" so many great, creative people who love this crazy hobby just like I do. Thanks so much to all of you for sharing what you love. That's what this whole blogging thing is really about--just sharing what we love.
Finally, just a few fun pictures from recent days around here of some "things" I'm grateful for.
Wishing you all a wonderful day.
Thanks for that! It's so easy to get caught up in what we can't do or don't have it's nice to have a reminder to slow down a bit.
ReplyDeleteI remember the years you are in now, and it is over-whelming at times. But I think you are okay because you remember what is truly important~those precious little ones that are totally dependent on you for everything to help them turn into those wonderful adults they will one day be! I've lived through it, and trust me, those years fly by...and before you know it you will have all those grandchildren and great grandchildren...telling them about your precious grandmother! Enjoy each day...don't give a rip about what others are doing, but focus on what you do and just appreciate what others do from a distance! Comparisons are never worth it, whether it is with quilting/crafts or with families. Enjoy your own back yard!!! ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more!!! I so enjoyed getting to talk to you about this on Saturday. And are you done quilting that stunning work of art already!! Amazing you are!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to go and reflect on your grandmother's life. It does put it into perspective on what's truly important in life. It is so easy to try and keep up with the Joneses, but even the Joneses are having their own issues behind closed doors. It is very hard raising babies and when your in the thick of it all the time it's tiring. I keep trying to remember that they won't need me like this forever and I will have tons of time to sew etc. Then I'm sure I'll pine for the days of yesteryear :) I think you are an amazing quilter and love reading your blog about your real life and what's going on in it. It's full of inspiration and can't wait to meet you in real life at the sewing summit!!
ReplyDeletewe often tend to forget what we have because we want more. I also have to remind myself often and stop hurrying and see the whole thing. It's not easy.
ReplyDeleteLovely post Kati - you have made me pause and think. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI agree, we need to remember to enjoy the moment and not hurry through to the next item on the agenda.
ReplyDeleteThe kids grow up so fast...enjoy every moment...even the frustrating ones, because in the blink of an eye they will be grown. My baby is 24 years old now, and it seem that it was only yesterday that I was holding her and tucking her in at night!
A wonderful reminder - thank you, Kati! Being surrounded by so much inspiration via blogs and pinterest and flickr (and, and, and....) is a double-edged sword indeed.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to stop and reflect at times, even if I do end up feeling like daughter #2 at the end of it at times ;o)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reflection here. It's so easy to get wrapped up in everything. It's impossible to have it all. I'm glad you're feeling so grateful today! Thanks for sharing it with us!
ReplyDeleteOh my wise friend x
ReplyDeleteThe destroyers are looking cuter than ever x
Sounds like she was quite the woman!
ReplyDeleteVery well said, Kati! Thanks for the reminders to slow down and appreciate what I have.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Most of us get too caught up in what we "think" others expect of us rather than what we truly "want" to do. Remember that your blog is what YOU want to make of it, not what others want it too be.
ReplyDeleteMy own Gma passed away January 2011. I just finished up a quilt made from her shirts. Proved to be a very gratifying and therapeutic project.
http://creativechicksatplay.blogspot.com/2012/05/last-of-grandma-quilts.html
:)
ReplyDeleteThis was a beautifully written post. Huge hugs. I really enjoyed getting to see the kiddos too! They are growing up so beautifully!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Kati. I'm so sorry about your grandma.
ReplyDeleteI loved your thoughts! It was a good reminder to me, too, what's really important and what's not. Also, CUTE pictures and adorable kids!
ReplyDeleteSorry about your grandmother, but I'm sure you have many great memories to cherish. You have such a cute family - indeed something to be grateful for....I'm grateful for all the new friends from the blogging world, like you that bring smiles to my day and are a source of wonderful inspiration...thanks for being there :)
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