This blank blog post has been in my drafts for months. It’s dated February 9, 2020. That happens to be a loved one’s birthday, but this isn’t about them.

At one point, I actually wrote a line or two, it seems.

“I paused for several moments, confused as to what sewing project this post was supposed to cover.”

I woke this morning with a start. It’s Mother’s Day. The thought that caused me to sit straight up, eyes wide open, was that I had slept last night on a new pillowcase. A floral one. That likely had geraniums on it.

This particular Liberty of London fabric had surprised me before. I purchased it for its wide range of delicate, intricately detailed blooms.

But it wasn’t until I saw a shirt sewn up by a friend that I noticed the sativa amongst the other blooms.

For whatever the reason, I hadn’t yet picked a project for this fabric. Until yesterday.

View this post on Instagram

Yesterday I got an early Mother's Day gift. It's the same pillow hubby has, so now I won't be tempted to sneak up to bed early and claim his as mine. I wanted to have a special case for my pillow because IT'S MINE, so I made her (I guess she needs a name) a Liberty of London case. This all feels totally justified and normal. #handsoffmypillow #libertyoflondon #handmade #youcantbuythis #labelsbykatm ETA- I used the first burrito method pillowcase tutorial Google had to offer. (You all have probably made 500 pillowcases before, but this was my first!) The tutorial is by @theseasonedhomemaker and it worked out wonderfully. I may adjust the proportions of the accent strip next time. There will be a next time. ETA II- hubby asked why I've never made him a pillowcase. I asked him if he likes florals.

A post shared by Loni's Havin'SewMuchFun (@havinsewmuchfun) on May 9, 2020 at 3:33pm PDT

So I awoke today, on Mother’s Day, suddenly wondering if another flower had gone unnoticed by me.

Mom passed in 2016. Red geraniums had since become a symbol of mom. She planted them every year in the garden beds in the front yard, along with marigolds.

Last year, after much thought, I chose a spot on my left arm for a constant reminder.

And earlier this year, had mom’s sewing machine added.

View this post on Instagram

Big huge thanks to @meg.cant.tat. (She obviously can.) This White would have been the first sewing machine I ever touched. It was mom's and predates my own existence by over 15 years.

A post shared by Loni's Havin'SewMuchFun (@havinsewmuchfun) on Feb 7, 2020 at 9:28am PST

I’m not convinced any of these are geraniums (admittedly the petals aren’t quite right on my own), but several are quite close.

I had been kicking myself for not getting a geranium for the yard yet. Pandemics. Snow. Excuses.

I may not be religious in the modern, organized religion way, but I believe in the greater good and a harmonious universe much more complex and wonderful than we can comprehend.

I’d like to think mom is never very far away.

Extra credit reading: Ask a Physicist to Speak at Your Funeral.