Time, age, and the woman behind the counter

I remember taking a few trips with my grandmother to the yarn shop when I was a child. My memory of the woman behind the counter was that she was elderly, or at least what a child sees as such.

A grandmotherly figure is the most common image conjured when one thinks of knitting, even though knitting is practiced by all ages, male and female.

Years later, at 38, I started working at a yarn store. It was to be the beginning of my career in yarn retail. Although I wasn’t the youngest employee, I wasn’t the oldest either. The years progressed, and I would mentally compare myself with my colleagues. In relation to them, I was always younger, and certainly not anywhere near grandmotherly. Almost 12 years passed, and I was simply more mature.

That job eventually ended, and I opened my own shop. Again the years marched on, each year seeming to pass faster than the last.

I would now find myself, every so often, thinking how I might seem to younger knitters coming into my shop. I am indeed a grandmother now, but inside I certainly don’t feel old, let alone elderly, at least not yet. I find myself relating to my older customers, more often than I care to admit.

Reality hit me hard this year when I approached what is kindly referred to as a “milestone” birthday. I’m not proud. I reached that milestone, kicking and screaming, since I didn’t like the idea one little bit.

I didn’t like the idea that younger customers might think that I would be stuck with old ideas. It may be hard to believe, but knitting trends follow the fashion world, and the fashion world follows trends in the fiber arts. Fortunately, the knitting world doesn’t put shop owners out to pasture once they reach a certain age. There are yarn store owners older than myself, still vibrant in their businesses, and in no way ready to settle into a rocking chair. They give me something to strive for.

The surprise birthday party that my family threw me this past weekend did help to soften the blow. There’s nothing like a roomful of family and friends to make you feel thankful for everything, including the age in which you now happen to find yourself. That saying about everything being relative is so true. I’m that woman behind the counter, and I’m still relative, and plan on being so for a long time to come. Virginia (Ginger) Balch knits, weaves and spins in all things “fibery” at her shop In Sheep’s Clothing at 10 Water St. Torrington www.in-sheeps-clothing.com or call 860-482-3979.emailinsheepscloth@gmail.com

Ginger Balch / Contributed photo / A birthday celebration always brings reflection on milestones and accomplishments, as well as age.