Knitted Snowflake

This Psalm-companion-poem was written for a friend when she was dying of cancer. It is equally appropriate for my mother. I miss her so much and she's only been gone a week . . . she too was like a beautiful, unique snowflake.

 

Snowflake

She fell softly to earth on the morning of her birth

Blessing all who came in contact with her glistening life

Inspiring awe over creation of such beauty

In one little wisp among so many

Faithfully shining out the imprint of the Creator

Until He repurposed her for heaven,

Melting tear-like

Then stealing silently upward.

                      Nancy Gerst, 2009

This passage from Psalm 139 was very precious to my Mom and I remember her quoting it to her grandkids when they were struggling, particularly through teenage years of doubt and confusion. She always held out the value of each individual as a unique, beautiful creation of God . . .

You Created My Inmost Being

O LORD, you have searched me

       and you know me.

 For you created my inmost being;

       you knit me together in my mother's womb.

  I praise you because I am fearfully

       and wonderfully made;

       your works are wonderful,

       I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

       when I was made in the secret place.

 When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

    your eyes saw my unformed body.

 All the days ordained for me

       were written in your book

       before one of them came to be.

                                      Psalm 139. selected verses, NIV

Below is a photo of my niece, Callie Begly, knitting a shawl for my birthday in November, made of alpaca and silk yarn. My Mom commissioned this artwork, her last gift to me. I will always treasure it because it symbolizes so much of her love, care, and wisdom.