A Story About A Lady I Love

We lost my mom-in-law Vida last night.  So I’ll be away for awhile, but first I want to share a story.  This photo shows a tiny section of the border of a huge, gorgeous tablecloth that Vida embroidered for us, along with a set of eight napkins.  I can’t even begin to imagine how long it took to make . . . just look at all the details, including little French knots around the centers of the flowers!  One holiday we were all sitting around the table stuffed and unmoving, savoring the memory of the meal and putting off dish-washing as long as possible.  “Everything was just perfect,” someone finally said, breaking the silence.  Then another family member replied, “Well . . . not quite . . .”  We all looked at her expectantly.  “I’m not positive, but I THINK the cloth is on the table wrong-side up!” she explained.  We all peered intently at the stitches, and honestly we couldn’t even tell because Vida’s embroidery is as perfect on the back as it is on the front!  I sheepishly apologized, but Vida just smiled graciously, loving that my mistake was actually the highest form of compliment to her handiwork.  Vida and I have laughed about that every holiday since then, and I know I always will . . . but from now on, with a tear.  I love you, Vida! ♥