Barbara Harber 87th

Jean Teadford nagged me and her friends to start a church sewing group. We agreed and began making simple clothing items for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. I also have made new friends.

Some of the late Jean Tedford’s friends who came included three sisters: LaVerne, Barbara and Paula. I had seen LaVerne and Barbara in their pew across the church, but we rarely interacted. I learned that LaVerne tied the threads at the seam ends while I used the reverse button. She wanted all one color of thread on the serger. I did not think it mattered, but I used matching spools of serger thread. Paula and Barbara did not sew. They kept busy ironing, cutting out, sorting and storing cloth and notions in our church sewing closet.

As time passed, first Paula, then Laverne and last year Barbara dropped out. Paul left to tend to other things. LaVerne had a medical crisis that sapped her stamina. She recovered enough to visit occasionally. Barbara kept coming and sorting. We depended on her to keep the sewing closet neat, the fabric sorted and the donated rick-rack, seam binding, and bias tape tucked away.

Sometimes she brought food for the coffee breaks Jean liked to take after an hour or so of sewing. As we sipped coffee, water or tea and nibbled we became better acquainted. Barbara and I shared a love for baking and sharing our goodies with others.

About a year ago Barbara began saying, “I just don’t think I will come anymore.” Still she showed up sporadically until one month she simply did not show up for either sewing or church services. She had fallen and hurt her shoulder. Medical issues drained her time and energy. Her daughter Karen kept us up to date on her health.

GLast week, Karen sent me a message, “We are going to have a surprise party for Mom’s 87th birthday. Would you pass the word along to others that she knows?I passed the message along to the Tedford sewing group and older church members.

Sunday afternoon, we drove down the tree lined road to the Hibanks volunteer fire department. The modest red building had a cosy meeting room just right for the party of family and friends.

Hubby and I arrived shortly before our sewing friends. We entered to see a “Happyh Birthday” banner behind the table with Barbara’s birthday cake. Colorful garden flowers in vases stood beside it. Cookies, nuts and drinks promised an afternoon treat. A headband with a tiny party hat and a birthday button laid in front of the cake, waiting for Barbara to arrive.Her family greeted us. They came from Wisconsin, Union County and other towns in Arkansas and Louisiana. Three or four cars arrived with folks from our church. When Karen drove up with Barbara, we all quietly listened in darkness as she pushed her walker through the door. “Surprise!” we yelled and began singingHappy Birthday!

Wiping tears she waited as others brought in her wheelchair, crowned her with the birthday headband and attached the birthday pin to her blouse. With distances so far for some, the family took time to pose with Barabara. Phones came out to record her blowing out the two shaped candles declaring this her 87th year. She accepted a stack of greeting cards, visited with folks and ate cake and ice cream. We joined together once again for an afternoon coffee break with sweets and time to talk.

Happy 87th birthday, Barbara. The Tedford Sewing Group misses you and your treats. And we really do miss your ability to sort things and keep us organized.