Norma Jean the Crafting Queen

I'm writing this post in honor of a wonderful lady who taught me so many things-Norma Jean. She was a very loving woman who treated everyone like family. She was 82 years old, but had the spirit to rival any 20 year old. She had so much life and so much love to give. She taught me, at a very young age, how to sew. You could say she gave me my start. She didn't teach me everything I know, but she taught me many things-in crafting and life. Norma Jean passed away on Thursday June 14th. Losing her has been very painful. Remembering the life she lived has made me re-evaluate my own. Have I been as loving and generous and kind as she was? Have I treated others with the same attitude and respect that she did? Have I jumped at the opportunity to serve others like she did? Have I enhanced my skills and retained as much knowledge as she did? I'm ashamed to say the answer is probably no on most counts, but I certainly plan to remedy this problem. I will be forever grateful for her example to me. I am proud to be her granddaughter. I have so many fond memories of her that I will cherish forever. I really can't put into words what she means to me and how much I'm going to miss her.

Dadoo very lovingly stated at her viewing, "Don't think of her just passing away, think of it as God needed one amazing quilt." What a fantastic way to put this into perspective! My grandmother was the queen of crafting. She ALWAYS had a project she was working on. Her sewing room is still in disarray from four or five projects she was working on. When she wasn't down in her sewing room, she had a needlepoint or some other needle work waiting for her by the couch. When she wasn't working on her needlepoint, she was painting. That woman was amazing! She had such a knack for crafts! It seriously only took one lesson and she picked up the craft in a snap! She was a very talented lady. I learned so many things about my grandmother in the last week than I ever thought possible. I felt like I didn't really know her at all. I feel a lot of guilt and resentment for not having spent more time with her than I did. It's just motivation to spend more time with my grandfather and Dadoo's grandmother (who's name is also Norma ;)). I've made a promise to my grandmother that I will do more sewing and crafting and hone my skills. I promised her that I will pass on my knowledge and love of crafting to my Pumpkin. I know she's proud of me and I know I will see her again someday.

I love you, Norma Jean the Crafting Queen <3