Is this the little girl I carried?Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older
When did they?
When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he get to be so tall?
Wasn't it yesterday
When they were small?
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze.
Oh, my. Sometimes Grandmothers wax sentimental. And we Harris women are the teariest, from my mother down. Right now, we are busy getting ready for our whole family trip to Jamestown VA for the 400th commemoration. This includes sewing period-appropriate costumes, especially for the girls. Almost-16 year old Gracie decided on a late federal era pattern (think Pride and Prejudice). I was privileged to be asked to help her with this project – quite a detailed one, fully lined, train and all. And the dress is pure white cotton.
As you can see, it is beautiful (not quite finished with the trim in these pictures). Gracie did most of the sewing, with Grandmother close by to help interpret the difference between “ease stitching” and “stay stitching”, “interfacing” and “lining”, etc. We got to the rewarding point of pinning the hem, so she stood on my piano bench and I pinned. Well, Granddaddy came downstairs right then, and ran back up to get his camera. As I watched him snap pictures, an eerie feeling came over me – “this looks all too much like a wedding gown!” Tears began to well, of course.
As we got back to sewing, Gracie inadvertently began whistling “Sunrise, Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof. Of course, Grandmother plummets deeper and deeper into a sentimental retrospective reverie.
“Is this the little girl I carried?” Gracie was such a snuggly, lovie baby. She has the same glowing smile today.
“I don't remember growing older. When did they?” Time flew too fast when her mother was a child; now it seems to race at sonic speed. Time is not relative; its rate does not change. I must not be paying close enough attention. Come back, little Gracie.
“When did she get to be a beauty?” Grace is a true beauty, because her loveliness comes from within – the inner beauty of Jesus. And it expresses itself not only in her radiant face, but in her precious spirit, her love for the Lord and her family, and her humility.
“Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers, blossoming even as we gaze.” This is the business we are about, the purpose for which God puts us into families. Bringing seedlings to full blossom. The process does take place even as we are watching, slowly and diligently the unfolding of a beautiful life bringing honor to Him.
Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be a part of this divine miracle. Thank you, Lord, for faith becoming sight in this lifetime.
Oh, my. Sometimes Grandmothers wax sentimental. And we Harris women are the teariest, from my mother down. Right now, we are busy getting ready for our whole family trip to Jamestown VA for the 400th commemoration. This includes sewing period-appropriate costumes, especially for the girls. Almost-16 year old Gracie decided on a late federal era pattern (think Pride and Prejudice). I was privileged to be asked to help her with this project – quite a detailed one, fully lined, train and all. And the dress is pure white cotton.
As you can see, it is beautiful (not quite finished with the trim in these pictures). Gracie did most of the sewing, with Grandmother close by to help interpret the difference between “ease stitching” and “stay stitching”, “interfacing” and “lining”, etc. We got to the rewarding point of pinning the hem, so she stood on my piano bench and I pinned. Well, Granddaddy came downstairs right then, and ran back up to get his camera. As I watched him snap pictures, an eerie feeling came over me – “this looks all too much like a wedding gown!” Tears began to well, of course.
As we got back to sewing, Gracie inadvertently began whistling “Sunrise, Sunset” from Fiddler on the Roof. Of course, Grandmother plummets deeper and deeper into a sentimental retrospective reverie.
“Is this the little girl I carried?” Gracie was such a snuggly, lovie baby. She has the same glowing smile today.
“I don't remember growing older. When did they?” Time flew too fast when her mother was a child; now it seems to race at sonic speed. Time is not relative; its rate does not change. I must not be paying close enough attention. Come back, little Gracie.
“When did she get to be a beauty?” Grace is a true beauty, because her loveliness comes from within – the inner beauty of Jesus. And it expresses itself not only in her radiant face, but in her precious spirit, her love for the Lord and her family, and her humility.
“Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers, blossoming even as we gaze.” This is the business we are about, the purpose for which God puts us into families. Bringing seedlings to full blossom. The process does take place even as we are watching, slowly and diligently the unfolding of a beautiful life bringing honor to Him.
Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be a part of this divine miracle. Thank you, Lord, for faith becoming sight in this lifetime.
5 comments:
How lovely!
Beautiful...and a fittng post to continue the theme from your last post!
Life does move quickly ahead, doesn't it?
Very Pretty!
Bonnie,
The dress is beautiful, and yes, looks a lot like a wedding dress. Time certainly flies by, but think of all the memories we have!!! I'm looking at things a little different this summer.... contemplating what lies ahead... God bless our children and grandchildren in all they do!!
Thank y'all for the sweet comments! Gracie still has some hand finishing to do on her dress (she would rather read than eat, let alone sew!), but all should be finished before we get to VA.
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