Thank God for the gadgets that have simplified our lives and made thimbles a thing of the past. I feel saddened about this. Thimbles were always used by my grandmas and they had them in dishes all about the house. They all could wield a needle with winsomeness and precision. There wasn't an occasion that a needle and thimble wasn't drawn from the purse with respect and great usefulness. There was always a button to be replaced or a hem to be fixed. I took it for granted. I rolled my eyes each time they whipped stitches swiftly and purposefully before my eyes. Dresses that I put on that were their handiwork with pins inplace to make sure that I hadn't put on a few pounds between the measuring and the final occasion. I mocked and scoffed at the choices of necklines and the choices of material. I hate flowers on them, Grandma! I want a plain dress! I want a storebought dress, just one time! That time came and I was so sad to see it come! I can't be sure I have the time to sew your wedding dress, said Grandma to me, with a severity that still brings tears to my eyes.
She held on until the very end and missed the day by 2 whole days, but she was there for every fitting. She said, if you miss this appointment in life, you are a greater fool than I can say. I won't miss it Grandma! Don't miss any delivery God gives you. I won't miss it Gram. and now I haven't and she was right. Every delivery, is from our God in heaven. Pain and agonies alongside, mental and physical, each relationship is worth it! She said your mother gave me the greatest gift, all those babies. I believe her.
She is my thimble and I will never, ever, ever sideline her message. Expand the waistline and make the dress fit the occasion, don't terminate.
