Grandma’s Legacy

WHEN I WAS A YOUNG CHILD, I was blessed with two Mamaws, two Papaws and one Grandma. This was before the time of cutsie names for grandparents, I suppose. Grandma was my paternal grandmother. She had sage advice, which usually began with, “Well, I’ll just tell ya...”

She once helped me with a school assignment that had to do with old-time remedies—poultices and such. But the most long-lasting skill she taught me was how to knit. Now, mind you, she taught me only one stitch, but I could garter stitch a scarf that was a mile long!

At Christmastime, my parents, brothers and I would each receive a “squishy” package from Grandma. We all knew what it was but waited until Christmas morning to discover what color she had chosen for our Christmas slippers that year. This is one of my fondest memories of her.

How I have wished throughout the years that I had learned more from her, especially how to make those slippers! But now, decades later, I have come across the pattern for those slippers— one that I, with my limited knitting skills, can actually understand and follow! I am so excited! They are exactly like the ones she used to make. So I’ve decided to restart the tradition, and my parents and brothers will be the first recipients of Grandma’s Christmas slippers this year. Thanks, Grandma!

KONNIE LEWIS Fall Branch, Tennessee