Sometimes, if you pay attention, life will give you a chance to learn and grow. Such was the lesson of my relationship with my step-mother Maurine. When my dad re-married I wasn’t too sure about the whole thing. It took us a long while to find our balance with each other. But over the years we became family, later on we even became friends.
Our friendship was founded on crochet. When I started getting into crocheting again about 14 years ago we began to share our joy in playing with hooks and yarn. Maurine was an avid crocheter. She primarily made house-hold items like afghans, pillows, dishcloths and doilies. Occasionally she would make some slippers or other small accessory type projects.
She was my “cheer-leader” as I developed my career as a crochet designer. She was supportive and encouraging about my efforts and celebrated each published and sold design for me.
Our last face to face visit was in March 2011, when I was thrilled to be able to give her a copy of the April 2011 issue of Crochet World that had my design “Field the Lamb” on the cover. We had a great time looking thru the magazine at all the different patterns and she was so happy for my success. She had me sign her copy, which made me chuckle.
Unfortunately, I had no idea that would be our last visit. We spoke on the phone over the next months, then I was in super busy mode with spring time design work. That September I got a call from my sister that Maurine was in the hospital and the prognosis was not good. This was the week before I was to leave for the Greensboro Knit & Crochet Show (ChainLink). I called my father and asked him if I should cancel going on my trip, his response was that I should go, because Maurine would have wanted me to go.
My beloved step-mom passed away shortly after midnight on Tuesday, September 20, 2011. My sister texted me that morning as I was traveling to the airport. My heart was so heavy as the plane lifted off carrying me far away from Colorado and Kansas. I was grateful that she was no longer suffering.
Maurine was afraid to fly, so she never went to one of these shows and I know she would have loved attending one. All the yarn and folks playing with it. The gorgeous crocheted and knit garments that you see everyone wearing. For the Greensboro show I found myself seeing the show thru her eyes.
Every step and stage of my time in Greensboro went smoothly, and it seemed like Maurine was being my guardian and good fortune angel. When I met with Carol Alexander we discussed a thread design of a crocheted angel in honor of Maurine.
You can find the pattern in the December 2012 issue of Crochet World, “Maurine’s Angel”. Make an angel in memory of someone you love.
Mamas2Hands 
Wonderful Story
Gives me chills a bit…now I want to make one just for your story
It’s not supposed to be spooky, just one of the lovely ways that those who are gone are always with us in our hearts.
You should make an angel though, we all need an angel to keep us company.
What a lovely story. Can’t wait to see the pattern.