Heirloom Party

Today's post is all about heirlooms. A unique party dedicated to
something we consider an heirloom. Something old or something
new we think will one day fit that description. Marie from Emma Calls
Me Mama is the Hostess and you will find all the Heirloom Party
links there.

My heirloom in the making is this loveleigh afghan. It's not very old. It
was a gift at Christmastime several years ago and I hope it will one day
become an heirloom to be passed down through the generations.

This afghan has a very special significance to me. On September 1st,
15 years ago, I lost one of my Grandmothers to breast cancer. It was
unexpected and sudden. We all knew she was battling the disease, but
she kept to herself how far along it had progressed. We were not prepared
for her to leave us so quickly and it was a loss the family never really
recovered from.

About a year after her death, my Grandpa decided it was time to go
through her things. Tucked away in a hallway closet were several
complete knitted panels for afghans. Her original intent was to make one
for each of her Grandchildren. There were 15 at the time. Only the three
oldest had received their afghans. My Mom was the only one of the
daughters/daughters' in law that knitted or even wanted the panels,
so she took them.

There were 8 panels, enough to divide amongst my three siblings and
myself, and there was also extra yarn. My Mom took the two panels
my Grandma had knitted, added them to three panels she knitted and
also had my other Grandmother, my Nana, make two. When they were
finished we each had an afghan comprised of 7 panels made by our
Grandmothers and our Mom. It was one of the most beautiful, special
and meaningful gifts I have even gotten.

I hate to say it, but I rarely use it because I want to keep it looking nice
and don't want it to get ruined. I know I should forget about that and just
enjoy it, maybe someday soon.

Before my Mom finished, she added one extra special touch. She sewed
on labels to the panels so that we would know who knitted which pieces.
A gift of love to wrap around ourselves when we need the warmth or
just a special hug. An HEIRLOOM to treasure!