One of the most important things that have happened to me this year has been the time given to me to enjoy with my sweet granddaughter, Alexia.
Known best as “Lulu,” this accomplished young woman left school early to finish 11th and 12th grade on her own, through an independent study program. And she did it all in six months! Along with her parents, she decided quite wisely that at seventeen she was still to young to set off for college on her own. So instead, she came down to spend a year with us in Ecuador, and has kept busy taking a photography class, preparing for the SAT, visiting with friends and family, helping out with whatever needs to be done… and just hanging out.
Tuesdays are our days together. I set out in the wee hours of the morning to drive my Jamie to work, and then head over to spend the day with Lulu. Breakfast and lunch together are a given. Sometimes there is shopping or other necessary running around, or we just hang out, often watching a movie.
Lulu was only 8 years old when she started sewing with me.
Shortly after, she was also designing and sewing her own quilts!
This year we added crochet to her repertoire. This has been particularly special for me, as I am filled with memories of sitting at my own Ecuadorian grandmother’s knee at age 5, learning to crochet. I am filled with love for this special grandchild, and hope we are also building memories together that she will treasure further down the line.
On occasion, Tuesdays turn into several days, when she just comes home with me for the rest of the week. With Christmas quickly approaching, our time together has centered on preparing gifts… and baking! Year after year, this was something I did with her mother… and she is now taking her place. Wow, how time flies!
After a lifetime of “busy work” and even now a lot of running around, I am grateful for the time given me this year with this child. She teaches me to slow down and to truly be in the moment with her. Thank you, Lulu… you are awesome! 🙂
I am a self-learner. I taught myself to sew and to quilt. And I taught myself how to draw. I am learning how to dye my own fabrics and am dabbling with mixed media. I am a quilt designer and teacher, and design and publish my own line of quilt patterns. With this blog I would like to share the bits and pieces of my life.
One Comment
Querida Angie, tu nieta se ha convertido en una hermosa adolescente. Soy su admiradora desde que ví cómo se aplicaba a coser y diseñar siendo tan pequeña, y ahora la veo como una muchacha decidida y segura de sí misma. Felicitaciones a las dos.
Por cierto, guardé las recetas de galletas que publicaste hace algunos años, y me siguen sirviendo año tras año… son deliciosas! Las hago con mis hijas.
Saludos!