Christmas Stockings

Here is the picture I wanted to show everyone. I have been working on this before Sam was born; little by little I cross-stitch away so that my son and my husband will have their very own stockings, made from scratch, from the woman they love so dearly. Sam's stocking is hardly perfect, actually there are many mistakes, but to the onlooker that hasn't studied the pattern no one would ever know. I've pricked my finger and cursed this very involved stocking, but, picking it back up none the less because I am so proud that I'm doing this with my own two hands.

THIS IS WHAT IT IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE:


THIS IS WHAT I HAVE SO FAR:


THIS IS JOEL'S WHICH WILL BE DONE AFTER SAM'S:


My Mom worked many years to give her family a stocking of their own, which she allows us kids to take with us when we move on. I too wanted her to teach me her art, so the tradition can continue; and maybe if we are blessed enough to have a daughter, she will also want her mother to teach her how to cross-stitch. My Christmas stocking however is not the only thing I treasure that my Mom has made for me. She made me a great quilt, made with great love, and I will continue to use it with great pride so that I can feel her embrace wrapped around my family.

It's funny how receiving homemade gifts as a child can almost make you feel embarrassed; after all it would be a disaster to wear something that wasn't brand name! (Kidding of course, but that is how it is going these days.) As we age we hold close and treasure the homemade gifts. I will always feel my mother in my quilt and in my stocking, as Sam will feel me. Sam will remember his Grandma K. by the softest blue bear security blanky, and Joel will feel his mother in the jean quilt that she made for him. Some people ask, "Why use the quilts and not keep them put up in a box?" Well, how can anyone enjoy something that is kept out of sight and not used for the sole purpose of why it was made?

Each child makes treasure that last a lifetime for their parents. I see the Santa of clay (or what ever material it was) I made for my Mom every Christmas carefully tucked away under a glass dome, a picture of hand prints myself and my brothers made for her hanging in the laundry room, etc. Soon I'll have the chance to receive the treasures of a child, and will hold on to them tightly.

NEWS FLASH: Samuel crawled across the living room twice last Sunday and it was a mighty cute waddle.