"Book[mark] 'em, Danno"

It's that time of year...the end of a school year when it's time to say goodbye and thank you to so many people who have helped you and your child survive the rigors of exams, stressful classes, and, in our case, the graduate school application process. I wanted to find a small but meaningful way to show my appreciation to the people who were there when I couldn't be for Meredith, talking her down from her emotional crises and bringing her spirits up when things weren't going according to her plans.

Bookmarks seemed the perfect gift for these wonderful people in the academic world. They were quick, useful and offered a wonderful assortment of patterns to individualize each gift.

My first one was the Cloverleaf Eyelet Rib bookmark that I made for practice and which provided a nice birthday gift for my stepmother back in April:




I wasn't thrilled with the lack of stitch definition but it was pretty. My tight knitting meant I probably should have used larger needles. The Size 3 Crochet Thread was a little bulky.











The next one I made was the No Wrong Side Bookmark also made with size 3 crochet thread and a great gift for her academic advisor extraordinaire, Doug. He was always there for her and specialized in helping her through the darkest days of Organic Chemistry.
























The Triple Chevron Bookmark was a gift for Susan, the woman who was invaluable to Meredith for her help in all of the lab research she needed to do for her thesis.













The Leaf Bookmark was a gift for one of her professors, Brenda, who provided countless hours of support and guidance in and out of the classroom.














Stephanie, Brenda's suitemate also did a yeoman's job of being there for my cookie whenever she needed a pep talk. She taught a couple of her courses and helped her stay focused on her way to her degree in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. Her bookmark was the Pine Tree Bookmark.









This bookmark is called Flourish and I made it for Dr. Wallace, Meredith's Department Chair and her mentor for her Senior Honors Thesis. She was tough on her but only because she believed that she could hold her to high standards to produce her best work.









Steven, one of her apartment mates received Feather and Fan (Old Shale), done on Size 10 crochet thread. It was a little like knitting with spider webs and if I dropped a stitch (as I did more than once) my only recourse was to frog it and start over. A true exercise in patience! But Steven's patience and support for Meredith made it worthwhile.













And, finally, Melissa, her other apartment mate received Diamond Lace Bookmark in her favorite color purple. Meredith, Steven and Melissa were an awesome team, supporting each other through a very stressful senior year.



These past four years have gone by so quickly. It has been so reassuring to know that there were so many people in Meredith's life who provided her with caring support and friendships that will last her lifetime. If I could I would give them all a million dollars and it still wouldn't begin to thank them enough for all they have done for her.

She's a very special young woman with an amazing future ahead of her. As she heads off to a PhD program in New York City in the fall I know she has had a terrific foundation academically and emotionally during her four years at UVM. I'm SO very proud of her! Love you so much Cookie!