weaverknits: Grandma

My grandma died last night, after a day filled with her favorite activities: shopping and going out for lunch. She got home, and her heart stopped. She was 88 (mom, correct me if she wasn't 88).

As a tribute to Grandma Snapper, I've created a flickr set of just a few of the pairs of socks I've knit for her over the past few years: Grandma Socks. No matter how busy I've been, Grandma has received a handknit pair of socks every Mother's Day and every Christmas since I was able to knit socks. Every time I saw her, she would explain that she deliberately walked around her retirement community shoeless, fishing for compliments on the socks. I'm certain that if the compliments were not forthcoming, she actively drew attention to the socks.

When I published Craft Work Knit in September, I gave Grandma a copy. Wait, no, she INSISTED on paying for a copy and put a check in the mail. Again, I'm fairly certain she used her socks to lure her friends and neighbors into her apartment to show it off.

Grandma was an elementary school teacher, in the family tradition. She had a long, fabulous life. I miss her already.

27 comments:

Bonnie said...: I'm sorry for your loss.; March 11, 2011 at 7:49 AM
Taloferia said...: I am so sorry to hear this, Ann. It sounds like you had a beautiful relationship with her. I'm so glad that her last day was filled with things she loves.; March 11, 2011 at 7:50 AM
Elizabeth said...: Hugs for you, Ann.
I love the socks story. I always knit socks for my Mom for her birthday and this year I thought maybe I wouldn't have time but now that I've read this, I said to myself, "Of course I'm making the socks!"; March 11, 2011 at 8:09 AM
Mary Lou said...: How lucky you were to have your grandmother for so long. Sorry for your loss.; March 11, 2011 at 8:25 AM
Elsabeth said...: I'm very sorry for your loss - she sounds like she was a fun lady. I have two wonderful grandmothers still with me, and I'm going to give both of them a call today.; March 11, 2011 at 9:14 AM
vivian said...: I am very sorry for your loss. It sounds like she was an awesome lady.; March 11, 2011 at 9:21 AM
Anonymous said...: I'm really sorry to hear about that. It sounds like she was a spunky old lady who liked being alive.; March 11, 2011 at 9:35 AM
Aline said...: My sympathies to you and your family.; March 11, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Davitron said...: I'm so so so sorry to hear about your loss. My grandmother is in poor health these days and i fear this news on a daily basis. All my love to your family.

the flickr set is a beautiful reminder, she had some lucky feed!; March 11, 2011 at 12:44 PM
Ms C @ HappyElastic said...: I am so sorry for your loss. Sounds like she was a very lovely lady; March 11, 2011 at 2:04 PM
Unknown said...: I'm sorry for your loss, Ann. I know how difficult it can be to loose such a wonderful grandma.; March 11, 2011 at 4:14 PM
Kelly-ann said...: I am so sorry for your loss Ann - it sounds like she was so supportive of you. What more could you ask for in a grandmother. Take care.; March 11, 2011 at 5:13 PM
K. Dolan said...: so sorry for your loss. that was so sweet of you to knit socks for her twice a year. you've encouraged me to keep up with all the knitted gifts i've been making :); March 11, 2011 at 7:15 PM
meg said...: I am sorry to hear about the passing of your wonderful grandmother. Cherish your memories of her. I am sure whenever you knit socks you will be thinking of her.; March 12, 2011 at 5:12 AM
Unknown said...: I'm sorry...
Your grand mother seems to have lived a wonderful life filled with the love of her familly.; March 12, 2011 at 8:08 AM
Unknown said...: I am so sorry for your loss. I love how you started by saying how she spent her day doing the things that made her happy. What a send off. You and your family are in my thoughts.; March 12, 2011 at 3:45 PM
Bridget said...: Ann, I'm so sorry to hear this news, though it sounds like she left the world peacefully.

I'm jealous of you, though - all of my grandparents were already dead by the time I was born, I feel like I really missed out.; March 12, 2011 at 7:19 PM
choo choo knits said...: Ann, my thoughts are with you and your family. She leaves behind a wonderful legacy. Xoxo; March 13, 2011 at 4:48 PM
Amy said...: I'm so glad she enjoyed her life right to the end, and that she unabashedly expressed her pride in you. (Having had a grandma who championed your creativity is a real gift, and one I treasure, myself. My maternal grandmother died this past year-- a very talented woman.) I'll be thinking about you and the rest of Team Weaver.; March 13, 2011 at 5:29 PM
Unknown said...: So sorry, Ann. Grandma sounds like she was a wonderful lady. Thoughts are with you and your family.; March 13, 2011 at 8:34 PM
Kim said...: I am so sorry to hear about your Grandma. Sounds like she was a wonderful woman who appreciated handknits. Hugs to you & your family.; March 15, 2011 at 8:15 AM
Anonymous said...: She sounds just amazing. I hope you're doing all right.; March 15, 2011 at 9:34 PM
Knittymama said...: I'm so sorry to read this, it's so hard to lose someone so loved. Sounds like you have great memories!; March 16, 2011 at 12:15 PM
Yvette said...: What a lovely tribute to an obviously special lady.; March 17, 2011 at 8:27 PM
Ann Smith said...: Our thoughts are with you and your family - Grandmas are very special people.; March 18, 2011 at 8:24 AM
greenearth50 said...: I am truly sorry for your loss. Your grandmother must be a special person in your heart.; March 21, 2011 at 10:42 AM
craftivore said...: Sorry about your Grandma. xoxo; March 27, 2011 at 11:24 AM