I have just had the unenviable task of clearing the nursing home room of an elderly family friend. Her room was up two flights of stairs, and it completely amazed me how much stuff one little old lady could fit in such a small room - it was touch and go if I would get it all (no furniture I hasten to add) into DH`s car. Thank goodness I took his and not mine! As I have had little contact with her over the past few years, it wasn`t as emotionally difficult as it could have been until I came across things that I had made her many years ago and letters I had sent, all of which she had kept. After all the packing and running up and down stairs, I was physically shattered by the time I had loaded the car, and then part way home it suddenly dawned on me that I had the whole of someones life in my car - and I had to pull over and compose myself.
She was a very talented artistic lady who loved painting, music and knitting. She was also rather eccentric and I often look back with fondness to a time when aged about 7 I found a dead mole (courtesy of my cat) and Rene (then 40+) and I decided to give it a burial - she dressed the part of the priest using a long white nightie from my dressing up box and we paraded through the house chanting prayers - much to the consternation of the builder working on our fireplace!
Amongst her possessions I came across bags and bags of knitted items and wool. I knew many years ago she used to knit for charity, and this was obviously what it was, after searching and sorting I now have
All of these little jumpers
ready to go
and these that just need
sewing up or the ends darning in
bottom right are 42 squares to turn into a blanket. I will finish them all off in due course and send them on their way. I don`t know which charity she intended them for, but I am sure she would be pleased to know that they will be benefiting children somewhere. I also have 4 carrier bags of yarn ( all acrylic) and a couple of unfinished sweaters to frog, plus sadly there were a few beyond redemption, but safe to say I will have no need to buy acrylic for my charity knits for a VERY long time.
And just to show you how talented an artist she was, here are a couple of her pictures, which she painted about 10 years ago
Scotney Castle
Lamberhurst, Kent
Sunset on Ditchling church,
Sussex
6 comments:
She sounds a wonderful lady. Well done to you for sorting out all the things she'd intended for charity.
So lovely that you can pass on all her charitable work. She sounds like a great character.
What a touching tribute to your friend :)
She sounded like such an interesting lady. the charity knits are lovely.
What a lovely tribute. I am sure she would be very happy to know her charity knitting will be finished and given to children who need it. It's great it was you clearing it all up (and not someone who might have thrown it out!), so all the knitting and yarn will go to good use.
How lovely that you can continue her wishes by making they get to a suitable charity. She sounds like a wonderful lady.
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