Microwave popcorn world

I know that I need to focus on healing right now.  Being a midwestern girl, it was instilled in me that you should always work hard and complete the task at hand with an eye for detail.  My mother, grandmother, and aunt taught me how to sew at an early age.  I was a willing participant, but it was also a lesson in patience and persistence.  We started with shorts.  It seemed like a very simple pattern, but unfortunately it was so simple that we kept confusing the front and the back of the cut pieces.  I remember Alys and I were quite young when we worked on this project.  Grandma and Aunt Sara debated and debated. What had they just sewn together?  The shorts got finished and I'm sure looked perfect.

Another summer Grandma helped me make a denim type jumper.  I remember Grandma took me to a dry goods store in down town Charles City to find a zipper.  We scoured the store looking for the right length and color zipper.  Without my grandmother's knowledge I used a contrasting color of thread (black rather than a matching blue) to sew the edging details in the jumper.  Grandma wasn't very happy with me, but I wore the jumper with pride.  I still have it as one of my treasures stored with my baby blanket in my attic.  

There were a few other projects in there...a red jumper type skirt (we looked and looked for the right kind of  buckles, we never found the right buckles), a wool plaid skort (wow, I'm not jumping to match plaid anytime soon), a few other dresses, and two prom dresses (my aunt Sara and I worked and worked at getting the tucks and folds just right on that off the shoulder dress).  

There was much time spent ripping seams and fixing details on all of those projects.  I learned quite a few lessons.  As much as I may have wanted to, I never gave up.  Wow, the plaid skort really pushed the limit!  Always look for the little details, have some pride in yourself, and nothing worthwhile ever comes easily.  Sure I could have gone to the store and just purchased something ready made.  I wouldn't have the great memories or the special time working with my mother, grandmother or aunt.

What made me think of this today?  Waiting for my body to heal itself. The upper part of my right arm is still numb and gaining sensation slowly.  I keep forgetting to ask when this might go away.  I suppose in our microwave popcorn world it is hard to remember that you can't rush healing.  So...I hope to be able to return to my activities of choice soon.  I just need to remember the lessons I learned as a child.