Tying Up Loose Ends (or at least making a valiant attempt)

I've made numerous phone calls, cancelled policies and subscriptions, and paid a few bills. There isn't much I haven't at least thought about. And then there are the seeming little things that will take a bit more time and thought if they are ever to be completed.

In a bag on the shelf of Mom's closet is an unfinished piece of handiwork. I had thought, when she moved in three and a half years ago, that maybe I could encourage her to complete the project and teach me to crochet in the process. I quickly discovered that was not to be. Mom's nimble fingers and quick eyes had grown tired. Her concentration had dwindled along with the desire and the afghan in the closet remains in the bag half finished. (It's supposed to look like this when it's done.)

Mom learned to crochet when I was in junior high school. She took a class at a local yarn shop and set the grand goal of making a detailed afghan. She didn't start out simple. No use wasting her time on that! She learned the stitches, counted and inspected her work regularly, and ripped out plenty of rows, and when she was finished she had a piece of work to be proud of.

Thirty years ago Mom gave me an afghan for my birthday. It remains a cherished possession and favorite gift. When my head throbs and my tummy hurts, I always have a tangible reminder of my Mom's love to keep me warm. My sisters have them too and I think Bethany might even have one. At one time she planned to make an afghan for each of her granddaughters, but she got tired before she reached her goal.

The three main panels of the afghan in the closet are finished. All that remains is for the pieces to be stitched together. It's as full of love and adoration as any of the other afghans, it just needs a little bit of love and assistance from someone else n order to be complete. The yarn is there and waiting, patient and still, for a pair of loving hands. I wonder whose they will be?