Reflections

Needle-Time is a fictional piece written to bring to life the magic that surrounds the love of carrying on the tradition of the needlearts from generation to generation. Join me for a new story each issue that will reflect the strong bond formed between Aunt Lilly and Molly through their special needle-time.

Last issue Molly created a supportive gift for her mom and dad's anniversary. Join us this issue as Molly helps Aunt Lilly see life through a whole new perspective.

Crystal Clear

Everything that could have gone wrong that day did for Aunt Lilly. First, she started the day by accidentally knocking a scalding hot cup of coffee over her leg, leaving what looked to be a second degree burn. Then, she missed the exit while traveling to meet her friend for breakfast, putting her twenty miles out of her way. And as if that wasn't enough, she locked herself out of her house when she went out to get her mail.

Molly walked down her driveway just as she started to cry in frustration.

How would she ever be good company to her little niece that day during their visit? The last thing she felt like doing was pretending to be happy.

As Molly got closer a frown furrowed deep on her forehead. "What's wrong Aunt Lilly?"

Any attempt at hiding her true feelings were put to rest. "I've had a bad morning," then noticing Molly's shoulders drop, she quickly recovered, "But, it can only get better, right?"

Molly shrugged her shoulders and stared up at her with her big blue, hopeful eyes, "That's what you always tell me."

That is what she always told her. Whenever Molly's thread slid out of her needle or her fabric unraveled, or she miscounted a chart she would tell Molly that the design could only get better from where it was at that moment. But, her horrible day couldn't be compared to a piece of stitchery. Her leg hurt, she wasted gas and time and now she couldn't even get into her house! How could an eleven-year-old understand this?

"That is what I always tell you. I'm sure it's got to get better," Aunt Lilly said. Though the words flew out of her mouth, she didn't believe any of them. At that moment, she wanted to stomp her feet and throw a fit.

"I know what will make you feel better!" Molly said as she pulled a notebook from her backpack. "Want to sketch a picture of one of your maple trees and then make an original design out of it?"

Aunt Lilly exhaled sharper than she intended and smiled to cover up her frustration. "I'm sorry, Sweetie. I really have so much on my mind right now. Why don't you sketch it and then I will look at it later?"

"Fine," said Molly matter-of-factly. "But, what are you going to do?"

Aunt Lilly looked over her shoulder and to the kitchen window. "I'm going to try to make myself feel better." A screwdriver and a little wiggling ought to do the trick and get her back in her house in no time.

Molly hopped on the porch swing and started her drawing and Aunt Lilly made her way over to the shed to get a screwdriver.

With each attempt to get the screwdriver between the screen and the window casing, Aunt Lilly grew more frustrated. The window wouldn't budge. Instead of enjoying her day, she wasted it making up for a silly mistake. She could have been sipping lemonade and nibbling on cookies as her and Molly enjoyed the slight afternoon breeze. As the hour passed and she was no where closer to getting into her house, she got angrier. Desperate she walked to the backyard and searched for another way into her house. But, the windows were all too high. She walked back and forth from the back yard to the front, working up a panicked sweat. How would she get in?

She stood in her front yard with her hands on her hip and when Molly asked her if she could get a drink of water, she nearly snapped at her. Molly's eyes grew large as a result and they turned watery.

"Oh, Molly, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to snap. I'm just really upset right now and I can't think of anything else but solving this little problem I caused." She paced back and forth in front of the kitchen window still too angry to give Molly the full attention she deserved at that moment.

"You look to angry too solve anything, Aunt Lilly."

The truth in her statement stopped her. "The truth is Molly, I just don't know how to not be angry right now."

"Aunt Lilly, just walk away from it. Come sit with me for a few minutes and then maybe you'll feel better."

Molly thought she understood, but how could she? Aunt Lilly didn't want to just sit there. She wanted to solve the problem. She didn't want to waste another second. But, the concerned look on Molly's face made her reconsider. "Okay, I'll sit. But, only for five minutes."

They sat together staring at the maple tree that Molly brought to life on her sketchpad. Aunt Lilly inhaled slowly, trying to calm her racing heart. Within a few minutes, she felt more relaxed and was able to realize what a fantastic job Molly did in replicating the highlights the sun had cast on the maple tree.

"Aunt Lilly, do you feel like talking now?"

Remarkably, the urgency of finding a way into her house didn't seem as pressing anymore. "What do you want to chat about?"

"What are you trying to do to the house that is making you so angry?"

"I locked myself out and can't figure out how to get back in."

Molly wrinkled her nose. "Well that's not a problem. The answer is right under your nose!"

"Right under my..." and just like magic, her mind cleared and she remembered, "of course! Right under my nose!" She leaned down and picked up the fake rock that she and Molly had painted two years prior and there was the spare key! "Why didn't I remember this?"

"You forgot about it this whole time?" Molly asked.

She nodded. Her niece understood more than she gave her credit for understanding. "See, this is why I need you around me. You remind me of the things that I try to teach you but forget to practice myself." She taught Molly how to handle problems by walking away from them, allowing her time to think through them clearly, logically. "The answer was crystal clear!"

"We're a good team, aren't we?" Molly said giving her aunt a hug.

"The best there is."