Recently, while going
through some things in my basement I came across a bagful of lovely doilies
that had been my grandmother’s. Some, I am told, were made by my grandmother herself
and others crafted by her mother and aunt. Either way they are very old and were offered
to me when my grandmother died in 1994. I happily accepted them as I easily
envisioned these vintage treasures framed or even made into pillows. Of course I was certain I would get to the
task eventually. I love crocheted doilies;
they remind me of giant snowflakes each one unique in their own right. I imagined my ancestors using skill and patience
as they created intricate designs and patterns. As a child I recall them decorating
our home, often used as “dresser scarves “ in our bedrooms or on end tables in
the living room. My mother placed them underneath lamps, bowls and ashtrays; their
elegance dressing up an otherwise mundane living space. With Valentine’s Day
approaching I knew it was time for me to put “ good intention into action”.
Unfortunately the doilies were filthy; I hadn’t taken care of them and it
showed. I started by soaking them in my old standby Fels Naptha laundry soap and then blocked them
back to shape. Next I found the perfect
piece of fabric and made the envelope style pillowcase. On the day before
Valentine’s Day I brought the elaborately
wrapped pillow to my 87 year old mom’s house and presented it to her. Nothing
could have prepared me for her reaction. Clearly she absolutely loved it. She
remembered the doily well and it brought her back to times gone by. We spent a good amount of time talking about
her life and the “good old days”. She
shared her memories with me; some I had heard and some I had not but all were pleasant and heartfelt.
It was a
Wonderful Valentine's Day!
A day of Love,
