October Ovation: My Mother-In-Law’s Hands

By fromskilledhands ( October 15, 2008 at 12:03 am) · Filed under Love

My mother-in-law is an amazing woman. With her hands and her heart, using size 2 needles, she has knitted 194 sets of hats and booties for premature babies. With those hands she knitted over 200 sets of hats and mittens for children who had none. With those hands..

With those hands and her heart, she has made quilts, all hand pieced and hand quilted, for us all. With those hands she has worked with the ladies of her quilt club on countless quilts. With those hands and heart, she knitted caps and booties for a young pregnant woman. She talked to the ladies of her quilt club and to her hairdresser. Those hands and the hands of the ladies made 3 baby quilts, an afghan, and a pillow for the young mother-to-be so she would have something beautiful. Those hands now search the thrift stores for things the baby might need. With those hands and that heart.

Each year at Christmas, those hands make 100 or so cupcake-sized fruitcakes for her husband and sons. I always thought that the cakes must be an acquired taste, one, after all these years, I have still not acquired. Her hands make strudel, mince pies, apple and pumpkin pies. They make peanut butter pies for the granddaughter who loves them, and pumpkin pies to go with the whipped cream.

She was an English war bride, and came to this country knowing no one but the man she barely knew. They built a life here, and she sewed curtains and costumes and clothing. She knitted scarves and canned jars and jars of sauces and jellies and jams.

From her heart, through her hands, she shares her love. And with this heart, through these hands, I share mine.

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I originally wrote this piece for my mother-in-law’s birthday last year. When I began to think of a person about whom to write for October Ovation, she came to mind. I’ve added a few more thoughts, and I am pleased to share them with you.
For other October Ovation posts, visit Barrie, and Larramie. It will be a joy to see what other folks have to say.

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20 comments »

Lana said,

October 15, 2008 @ 12:57 am

A lovely post. Well thought out & communicated. Touching.

OldOldLady Of The Hills said,

October 15, 2008 @ 1:52 am

Well, your Mother-In-Law IS TRULY an amazing woman! So giving and talented and selfless…It is overwhelming in a way, yet so WONDERFUL! This is such a lovely tribute to her…! BRAVO to you both!

Mary Witzl said,

October 15, 2008 @ 6:39 am

I love reading about people who work hard to make others’ lives easier. Your mother-in-law sounds so interesting. And good for her for learning how to make pumpkin, and peanut butter, pies!

fromskilledhands said,

October 15, 2008 @ 7:12 am

Thanks, Lana.

OOLOTH-she is AMAZING. Thank you for your kind words.

Mary–my mother-in-law had to deal with peanut butter. When she was in England during WWII, the Americans sent cases of peanut butter. People who received it didn’t have a clue what to do with it. Today she says that she likes it in desserts, but has never consumed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. When she made the sandwiches for the kids, she would always butter the bread first.

gabe said,

October 15, 2008 @ 7:45 am

Those hands (great repetition) sounds like they’re truly amazing. And I like the sharing of how she barely knew her husband, never mind anyone else. Thanks for sharing.

Cat B said,

October 15, 2008 @ 7:48 am

I remember this post but it’s good to be reminded of how much good one person can do! Thanks, Debra!

Patti Abbott said,

October 15, 2008 @ 8:27 am

A wonderful woman. Nice when we had time to do more for others. Nice when we thought to do it too.

Elizabeth said,

October 15, 2008 @ 9:11 am

Your mother -in-law sounds a wonderful caring person.
I’m English too – but still don’t like fruit cake.
I’m happy to have discovered your blog.

Sandy Levin said,

October 15, 2008 @ 11:41 am

When work is done from the heart, all the world benefits. I am sure your mother is truly a happier person because of it.

Larramie said,

October 15, 2008 @ 12:56 pm

I remember your mother-in-law’s hands because those little fruitcakes are deliciously gourmet! And how lovely that you chose to pay tribute to the hands, heart and soul of such a giving woman.

Shari said,

October 15, 2008 @ 5:44 pm

Beautiful post! What an amazing woman your MIL is.

Amy said,

October 15, 2008 @ 6:09 pm

Wonderful Ovation! It really makes me think about how now-a-days many of us (me included) take so many of the things we have for granted. And to think that amazing women like your mother-in-law was able to do all those things with just her hands. I adore that

patti said,

October 15, 2008 @ 9:16 pm

you are blessed indeed…

Barrie Summy said,

October 16, 2008 @ 12:31 am

Debra, thanks so much for joining in. I know you were ultra busy getting ready to go out of town. And what a heartwarming tribute to your mother-in-law. Imagine coming to a new country as a bride for someone you barely know. And giving, giving, giving. Very inspirational.

Travis Erwin said,

October 16, 2008 @ 11:08 am

She sounds like a very generous and talented woman.

Eryl Shields said,

October 19, 2008 @ 2:46 am

Your mother-in-law sounds great, and this is a lovely tribute to her.

Peanut butter pie, now that sounds interesting!

Britta Coleman said,

October 19, 2008 @ 7:13 pm

I particularly liked the “taste I haven’t aquired” bit. Lovely post.

Barbara Martin said,

October 19, 2008 @ 8:56 pm

Very nice tribute to your mother-in-law. Many of the war brides from WWII who came to the United States or Canada had to be adaptable to fit into strange surroundings. Peanut butter pie, now that’s something I’ve never heard of. Do you have a recipe, Debra?

sandy feet said,

October 21, 2008 @ 9:49 pm

I loved reading this. Your mother-in-law sounds like my mother. The love that is baked, knit, and stitched into all she does warms our lives. Thanks also for your comments at my blog. I looked up JC Pierce per your suggestion. Wonderful.

From Skilled Hands » Blog Archive » Tis the Season said,

December 11, 2008 @ 9:00 am

[...] English mother-in-law is ready. A month or so ago, we took a trip to Holmes County, where there are plenty of Amish bulk [...]

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