a patchwork of grandmothers
left a legacy--life lessons
for a future generation.
Wearing flour sack aprons,
mountain women taught patience:
stitches no bigger than pinpricks,
to savor time, good stewards of life.
Grandma Minnie matched seams,
created patterns from scraps,
taught me to create my shape,
to choose a color scheme.
Great-Grandma Martha taught
me to lay aside work,
take time for pleasure;
a lesson she learned too late.
My kinfolks taught faith
in the Cathedral Windows,
beauty of Grandma's Zinnia Basket;
love in Grandmother's Engagement Ring.
--Brenda Kay Ledford
