Christmas time is always a painful reminder to me of what I lost -- my grandmother. A strong woman who took me under her wing and helped shape me into the person I am today. We lost her on Christmas Day, 1990. And there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her.
Now, we've lost another great lady. Ruth Arbitelle. She was one of our Founding Members of the Happily Hooked on Crocheting Club, Connecticut Chapter of the Crochet Guild of America. She was a great advocate for inspiring new members to try new stitches and crochet techniques. 
She also joined me in many adventures and field trips -- including attending a freeform class that Margaret Hubert was teaching at the Craft & Yarn Box in Pawling, NY. I smile in knowing that her humor was captured on film that day as Margaret had our class taped to include in her popular Freeform Video.
One of my most cherished memories I shared with Ruth is of a field trip we took to the Patternworks yarn shop when it was still located in Poughkeepsie, NY. It was one of the very first field trips we went on as part of the HHCC. On the ride there Ruth said to me, "I'm an acrylic girl, Dee, so don't even think about trying to change my mind." After that day, Ruth's mind was changed. Oh, she still heavily used acrylic yarns, but now she had no problem of also using some of the "fancier yarns" too. 
She allowed herself to grow, to experience more of what not only crochet had to offer but friendship too. Of course I had fun kidding her about it from time to time when she showed off her latest completed projects; then we'd laugh and she'd get that twinkle in her eye. I am going to greatly miss her.
Rest in peace, my friend. God Bless.
For those who are long-time readers of my blog, you may recall Ruth leaving comments here from time to time. She used the name "arbyrut" online and was a member of the International Freeform Group, and Crochet Partners. Here is what she wrote to Lion Brand about using their yarn, crocheting for charity, and being a member of the HHCC: Lion Brand Customer Projects
1 comment:
Dee
Thanks for responding to my SOS on yahoo.....I was the mother-daughter combo :) I would love to keep in touch with you. You too can view our blog
http://360.yahoo.com/magallagher2007
I SUPER appreciate you taking the time to respond and it has motivated me :) I was worried my daughter Alison was too young (9 almost 10) but I see Casey has been doing this since FIVE! Wow.
Keep in touch. I would LOVE to correspond with you!
melinda
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