Generations
Memories of Grandma’s apron spark an idea for creating moments of love.
Honoring Grandma’s memory with handmade aprons.
Sunday for our family meant Mom and Dad loading up five kids, Mom’s baked beans and a choice dessert into the station wagon to then driving 45 minutes to Grandma’s farm in Huntington, Indiana.
I always opened the back door carefully, trying not to hit one of my aunts, uncles or cousins gathered in the cozy kitchen. The aromas of every food imaginable danced up my nose, making my mouth water. Immediately, I was greeted with the cheerful sounds of laughter, adult chatter and the chaos of kids playing everywhere. Then I spotted her.
Grandma stood in the center of the din, laughing as usual, with her favorite bib apron tied around her waist. When she saw my family enter, she clapped her hands in delight as though she hadn’t seen us in years, even though, in reality, she saw us every Sunday. After swiping her hands across her apron, she’d spread her arms wide to enfold me in a warm hug. I’d smush my face into the folds of her apron as we’d both giggle.
Decades later, the sight of an apron still brings joy to my heart. One day as I slipped on my own while making my usual mess in the kitchen, I decided to sew aprons for my daughter, Brittany, and my daughter-in-law, Haddie. I found the perfect pattern with various sizes for both mothers and daughters, so Hailey and Elodie, my two granddaughters, could have aprons to match their moms.
My old sewing machine gave me some grief, but at last I finished the aprons and got them ready for mailing. After carefully wrapping them and slipping a note inside each, I sent the packages.
Both sets of moms and daughters were thrilled with the matching aprons. I received many thanks and pictures of them showing off their new finery. My son, Brent, was even coaxed by his daughter into wearing his wife’s apron.
Next, I made aprons for the girls’ dolls as well, and soon I received pictures of the baby dolls wearing their new matching aprons.
Staring at the pictures, I smiled. Maybe I’d sent more than aprons to my girls (and son!). I believe that, without realizing it, I’d sent along wishes for memories like mine that included good food, laughter and warm hugs for each of them—all lovingly tied in a bow.