Dianne’s blanket
November 9, 2005
Two months prior to meeting Wifey, her Mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Over the next two years, we watched her roller-coaster through treatments, hospital stays, and finally … as she passed away in her home in Nov. 2001, one month after marrying us. She was 47. She left a husband, four daughters (aged 26, 25, 12, and 9), a career as a poet and professor, and a huge circle of friends.
Somehow four years have passed in a heartbeat, and in spite of only knowing Dianne for 2 difficult years, I still miss her terribly. She was a wonderful, sassy, kind, harsh, generous, tough, bitter, brilliant woman and … you guessed it … a knitter.
I picked up this little blanket that she made out of scraps of left-over yarn at some point long ago. It’s unraveled, unfinished, partly felted and badly in need of some TLC, much like Dianne’s grief stricken family.
Much like I have over the past 4 years, I am picking up a piece of her family, dusting it off, and trying to repair it. Gently, slowly, and with much love and respect.
In honor of Dianne. Wish me luck.
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1.
christine | November 9, 2005 at 10:03 pm
it’s in these times of our lives that simple things — a color, a texture, a moment — really connect us so deeply with someone. i can feel the tenderness and courage in your voice to pick up the pieces (literally and figuratively) of dianne’s legacy and continue her memory through a work tied between people through time. this really is a project in progress that has no beginning and no end. keeping you + your family in my thoughts.
2.
wenders | November 10, 2005 at 12:19 pm
Beautiful. The blanket, your dedication, your comments about Dianne - it sounds like she was lucky to know you, too, even if for a short time.
3.
CarryFairie | November 10, 2005 at 3:38 pm
Oh sure go ahead, make me start my day by feeling all kinds of choked up…but really, such a beautiful sentiment, thank you for sharing.
4.
Frayed Edge | November 10, 2005 at 4:11 pm
I’m tearing up at my desk, and before I’ve finished my morning coffee.– My grandmother was a knitter and knitted all her grandkids a blanket, except me. She lost her eyesight before she got to mine. When she passed, my father gave me the first one she made (it always rested on the back of her sofa, I remember it fondly).
I cuddle with it when I am lonely, and often sleep with it.–my point? What you are doing is wonderful and will mean more to your family that what you may realize. Best of luck.
5.
MeBeth | November 10, 2005 at 4:37 pm
Thank you for the heartfelt post - it sounds like Dianne was a terrific person. Its amazing how touching it can be to hold a sweater or blanket made by the hand of a loved one.
6.
Sneaksleep | November 10, 2005 at 7:20 pm
That’s amazing, and so are you. thanks for stopping by to visit my blog. I am totally up for a meet-up, by the way.
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