A Stitch in Time

A stitch in time saves nine.

Most of us women, I'm guessing, know exactly what this means.  Well, the women of our age that is.  My grown daughter doesn't.  She may know the meaning but not the experience.  It was always too easy for Mom to give in and just do it for her.

If you mend it now, it'll save a bigger rip and more sewing later, right?!

Back in the 60s when Bill and I decided we would get married, the question of the engagement ring came up.  Without any ado, I told him I did NOT want a diamond ring (sorry Eliza).  All I ever wanted on my left finger was a wide, gold wedding band.  IF there was to be an engagement gift, I'd much prefer a sewing machine.  More practical.  Diamonds meant nothing to me and would be a waste of money, I declared.

Now a sewing machine.  That's different!  Even with rust on it, look how beautiful it is (no, silly, that's not mine!).  So, since Bill and I were on the same page, I received a Singer sewing machine for my wedding engagement.  I never used it to make clothes for me or my kids...but for Bill himself.  Remember when polyester was the new sliced bread?  I took a men's-wear sewing class and made all his dress slacks and sports jackets.  He loved them and made me proud.

Switch gears now to my spontaneous trip to America this Wednesday for a week with my kids and extended family.  I was NOT planning to be at the Michigan family cottage for our annual reunion this year because it didn't seem the right time to introduce Astrid, my new Dutch wife, to the family.  Most were still smarting over the 2008 break-up with my past partner, so I made the executive decison:  we don't have to do this now.  Give them time.

Then suddenly, three weeks ago, I found out my 2 kids and grandson would be driving up from Atlanta, just like we always did.  They hadn't planned on it till their schedules unexpectedly changed, and when I found out, I wanted to be with them to help with the driving and expense.  Actually, I just wanted to BE with them.  In the process, I would also be with my family...but without Astrid.

A stitch in time saves nine?

To be honest, I never dreamed of this possiblilty, to mend the initial rip and perhaps help keep it from getting bigger by going to my family alone without Astrid.  There's a part of me that says if you don't want her than you don't get me.  But I know this isn't about her.  It's about me and about how my family perceives me.  It's about mending whatever I can now to make her introduction better later.  A stitch in time.

So, please wish me godspeed as I venture off once again.  It takes a village, you know.  And my rusty seamtress skills could use a bit of fine-tuning!