To some, my joy of reading a fabric catalog cover to cover, nose to paper, is kinda crazy. But, according to my mother, it’s just what my grandmother would’ve enjoyed doing, herself.
I never knew that side of my grandmother. I only knew the woman who stood at the window, resting her elbow on her stomach, playing with her lips, and fussing about my granddad being late for supper. Or, the woman who offered you Juicy Fruit gum out of the broken coffee cup she kept on the top shelf of her cupboard, every time you came to visit.
But, my mother tells me that when she was growing up, her mother, my grandmother, was a fabric inspector. It probably went hand in hand with her love of sewing. My mother said she’d go over every inch that came through her line, checking for imperfections and snags. If she was lucky, she could bring some of the more flawed ones home. With them she’d make clothes and pillows. She had six daughters and one son, so I’m guessing the pillows came later in life, when she didn’t have to clothe her children.
My mother is not so much of a sewer. I think she tried, but never took to it. So, I almost feel as if it’s a privilege to have gotten the “fabric” gene of my grandmother’s. The last time I checked, I only have one other aunt that shares in the passion. Not one single cousin shows sign of this creative gene.
My post today was inspired because I think it’s so amazing how people have tendencies toward things. My “boyfriend” could be trapped in a city of fascinating architecture and never shut his gaping mouth, commenting on this and that of the structure. And, it’s due to his grandfather’s passion for building. He was a carpenter all his life. I suppose it was only fitting that his grandson grew up with the hunger of knowledge for how things were built and the different architecture styles and so forth.
With one little seed a multitude is planted. I’m curious to see if any of my children will take back after us. My oldest son is chin-deep in film production. They are outside right now filming a skit he’s written. I laugh as I look out the window at all of them participating, knowing that one day when he’s up on stage somewhere, accepting his award for outstanding director of a film production, I can think back to where it all began.
It circles around to knowing your passion. Follow it and it’ll lead you right to your path intended in life.
