That’s a picture of my dad’s mother, Vitalina, taken in the 1960s while she sat at her workplace sewing machine at the Bali Bra factory in Johnston, PA.

As the short write-up stated, “…her vim, vigor, and vitality would put many of us to shame…”

The feature states that her primary hobbies were crocheting, sewing, and knitting, nearly exclusively for her family.

She was also an incredible baker and cook, also offered to her family, with an abundance of love.

I called her Grandma.

When I was 8 or 9, I asked her why she didn’t offer her baked goods for sale to the public, especially given that her house was right across the street from a big church, where hundreds of people streamed out after services each Sunday morning. Surely they would secure her success!

She smiled, lowered her eyes.

I was so sure of her success and didn’t understand that it was love for her family that moved her to make such deliciousness for her family.

I also didn’t recognize that the thought could have been for me — that my success might also be assured, had I envisioned myself as a small creative business person.

I wish I had a picture of myself with my mother teaching me all of the stitching she taught me to do: embroidery, hand-sewing, machine sewing, knitting, and crochet. She showed me so much patience next to my curiosity (or my frustration), and always expressed resolute confidence that I would eventually get better.

I offer her my gratitude to my mother and Grandma — and to all mothers and those who mother — who hold traditions and families together.