If at First You Don't Succeed----

Hard to believe that these hands used to produce some of the finest hand knitting I have ever seen.The more complicated the pattern , the finer the wool, the more mum would relish the prospect of creating a garment!
Nothing was ever too complex for her.She could knit blind folded, whilst multi tasking, and create anything from a complicated Arran jumper to the finest of christening shawls in 1 ply wool. These shawls looked like spiders webs when completed, and could be threaded through a wedding band, they were so fine and delicate . Give her a pair of chopsticks, or a couple pencils and I'm sure she could probably have knitted just as easily with them!
So sad to see her struggle to produce a 'rats tail' now that she has aged AND lost her sight into the bargain.The strange thing is, she never ever looked at what she was knitting when she was younger,so the degeneration must be due purely to failing dexterity.
Mum , now approaching her nineties, will sit here for hours, trying to produce a flawless piece of work. Never content with her efforts,she will constantly rip it out and start again when she drops a stitch and unwanted holes develop.
I tell you, Robert the Bruce and the spider have nothing on her.For those of you who are unaware of Bruce, it is said that, while hiding from the English, prior to his victory at Bannockburn, (which established a free Scotland,)he is supposed to have witnessed a spider trying over and over again to create its web.This inspired him to keep trying despite numerous failures and led to his ultimate victory.
Mum has a similar determination and I guess it is that determination that keeps her going. Alas, no great victories for her but long may she keep TRYING. She succeeds in remaining positive about life, has an amazing spirit, and sets a fine example to those around her when it comes to the old saying 'if at first you don't succeed, try try again!'
*I don't think I have ever noticed what youthful hands she has for her age.She tells me it is down to treating them to a ritual 'rubbing in' of of handcream before going to bed each night.