It has been a while since I last made a big project. I made my kid a whole outfit last summer, I made a top for her and me, then I made another top for her, then a number of crochet sleeves for Aquaflasks when there was a hype on these tumblers, then the latest one was the souvenirs for the Hive PH meetup. I don't usually make huge projects because it bores me to work on something for a long time. I like quick projects because it gives me the high of having finished something so quick.
But my mom requested for a cardigan months ago. Yes, that was months ago and I just finished it just now. It could have taken longer than that but I saw a post from a fellow crocheter some time last month. It said "Make that request because you'll never know what's gonna happen tomorrow." Well, it was not exactly worded like that, but somewhere along those lines.
When my Ma said she wanted me to make her a cardigan, I told her that she and I can crochet along while she makes her own, I make my own. I was thinking we could bond together even via video chat. Firstly because I wanted her to keep busy doing something she loves. Secondly, I bought her crochet hooks, yarns, and so and so, but so far, she has not made something for herself. She made so many projects for her grandchildren, for her friends, for people she loves, but she has not taken the time to make something for her. (I guess, I got that gifting attitude from her.)
I wanted her to stop thinking about other people (she's already taken care of all of us an has taken very little time to think about herself) that's why I wanted her to take the time to make something for herself. Me and my sister takes care of her. We treated her to a day of relaxation last mothers' day. She had her nails done, hair color, hair cut, foot spa, the works. And I always make sure that she has everything she needs.
But then when I saw that post from my fellow crocheter, it hit me. All of a sudden, the cardigan seemed like just a small project. I remembered the times when Ma used to make me dresses and shorts. I remember the blue dress she made for my kindergarten graduation, and that pink dress she made for my recognition day in first grade. I remember how excited I felt whenever she asks me to try it on to see if she needs to adjust the measurements and such and such. I remember feeling so special because my Ma took out some time away from her daily chores just to make me those dresses.
So I went ahead and finished this project as fast and as beautiful as I possibly could. I haven't given it to her yet, we're going to meet on my daughter's recital in the theater. That's when I'm going to give it to her. I can already imagine her smile as soon as she sees it. She's not at all that vocal about appreciating gifts, but she has a really big tell when she's really happy about something. She has this sweet sweet smile that gives her away even when she is being critical to me and my siblings. I can already imagine that smile.
She has stopped being critical to me a long time ago, maybe she has really let me go and be my own person, but that smile is still the one thing that I look forward to greet me every time. I can't wait to see that smile on her face when I finally give her this really really late mothers' day gift for her.
