Grandma used to knit these bears for each of the grandchildren. They were all named Gladly -- short for “Gladly the Cross-Eyed Bear” (i.e., “Gladly the cross I’d bear”). Mine is 27 years old and still one of my dearest possessions.

Grandma is now 93 and in failing health. Her mind ad body are shutting down. I made her a Gladly of her own, which will hopefully trigger some memories and provide a little companionship for her.

I’m going to sew a little fabric booklet to go with him, which will explain who he is and why he’s significant, so that the nurses and careworkers can potentially use him as a point of communication.

I used Grace in three ice-creamy colourways, making the bear just over half the size of the originals Grandma knit in worsted weight yarns.