Thurs. Mar. 3, 2022

A Parent’s Love

Judy Howard

Well, they’re not perfect, and they need a little tweaking, but I have to admit I was a little flattered when Olin asked me to make covers for the new church electronics. He wanted to keep the dust out of them.

When Olin went off to college and ultimately and officially moved out, he didn’t much need me anymore. That was hard for me - it had been just us for so long. And when I offered help with things but was told, gently, “no, thanks,” that was hard too. I think parents like being needed - at least I do.

So when he asked me to make the covers, I was surprised and thrilled. I know my way around a sewing machine and patterns - I learned to sew in Junior High. (For you younger ones, Junior High was the precursor to Middle School.) But for the covers, I had to make the patterns with the dimensions that Olin gave me. We looked at fabrics together, he checked with Rob using the sample cuts we got, and he told me his ideas for how the covers should look.

It took a bit to get started. I realized that I needed help, and called my friend Patti who taught me about mitering the corners. (My sewing books were useless.) Once I got going it only took a few days, and I think they look pretty good, and they’ll keep the dust out of the equipment!

What I really liked about doing this with Olin was that he had the impression that I could sew these, and so I did, and I’ve learned things. (So if any of you need toaster covers, please do not call!)

And having that picture with my son in the church we both love is priceless! I’m so glad we found our way to St. John’s when we moved to Portsmouth in 1984. It and all of you have been lifelines for me.

I’d also like to thank Rebecca, who helped me with her ideas for the pattern-making, and who let me into church to test the sizing.