Stitching together Heaven and Earth.

The first couple of days after my mom died, I was feeling frantic to have material things to help me hold on to her. And particularly to bind her to my unborn children. (Whom she was probably already with!!) Many of you have read my blog post back in September about the treasure of a baby blessing dress my mom was working on for my future daughter. But the memories she had sewn for me didn't stop there.

It just so happens that I married someone I grew up with. It also just so happens that in our growing up years, we passed some of our clothing on to Darin's little sisters. And it also just so happens that Darin has a blessed mother who saves things!!! So in my crying and panic, my mother-in-law, Marilyn, dug out all her girls dresses from the attic. And sure enough, there was one of mine, and one of my sister, Naomi's. Sewn by my mom, and passed on in practicality, when we outgrew them.

It was one of my all-time-favorite childhood dresses. This is the only picture I can find of myself wearing it. I was eight or nine years old in the picture. I know, I know, my hair is stunning!!! (Hello, my five older sisters---why did you never do my hair!!!) FYI, the baby is my fist nephew.

Today I got the dress out to show Ellie and tell her about it. I wanted to take some pictures of her in it. She HAD to finish a scene in a show before the official photo shoot could begin. But I started anyways with candid shots--not even realizing the significance. The pink blanket Ellie is sitting on is her favorite blanket. Why? Because her Granny Winnie, whom she never got to meet, made it. My mom made it for me about 13 years ago. Why? Because my own baby blanket was getting too much use and was starting to wear out. YES, I am talking about when I was an adult--married already--still using my perfect condition baby blanket sewn by my mother!! So, she told me to retire it to the cedar chest and use the pink one. Mine was yellow gingham. I did retire the yellow one. But I did not use the pink one. She knew I wouldn't. It went in a box for the daughter I would have one day. For my Ellie girl!!

So here it is--my almost three decades old keepsake dress. Sewn to absolute perfection!! It has some stains I need to remove, and needs a new ribbon sewn at the waist to tie in the back. What a beautiful sight to my eyes!!! My darling daughter wearing the work of my mothers hands!!! Thank you to Darin's mother for saving her children's things. And thank you to my own mother for continuing to let me know she is aware of me, and showing me her love long after she is "gone".