Grandma’s Last Gift
Every year when I was growing up, and every year since I have had children, a package would arrive in the mail from Grandma. The package would contain a toque and two pairs of mittens for each child. My kids loved their mittens from Grandma - in fact, to keep straight which Grandma was which, my children assigned the name “Grandma that makes us mittens” to Grandma Arneson (they did have six grandmas to keep track of!).
One of my first thoughts after learning that Grandma had passed away was that my children would no longer get the box in the mail each fall. My Mom went up to Grandpa’s a few weeks ago and when she came back, she came bearing gifts for my children. In her knitting bag, Mom found mittens, and a little pair of booties!
These are the most precious gifts. It was Grandma’s last gift to us for even Brian and I got a pair of mittens. I had to photograph my children bearing their gifts. The only direction I gave the kids was “put on your mittens and pose for me”. I gave them free reign and each of them choose a pose to showcase their mittens.
Jorah of course is in a dance pose, Kadin assumed a Kung Fu stance complete with mean face (which erupted moments later into giggles at his antics), Kalla proudly showed me her mittens, and Rylynn just fingered her pretty new booties.
It’s the little things in life that mean the most. Grandma’s last gift is now forever remembered in portraits. I think they would make her smile.
