Saturday, April 17, 2010

100 years ago today, right this minute....

my great grandmother Elisabeth was probably preparing baths for her children.
She had just fed the family dinner, maybe a roast chicken, so that there will be cold meat for sandwiches tomorrow. As it is a Saturday night, everyone needs to be bathed and ready for church in the morning.
She puts the children in the tub, one at a time- first Floyd, he just turned 6, and is able to wash himself nicely, so she puts Clifford, age 3 1/2, and Merrill age 2 1/2 in also, so that Floyd can help them wash at the same time. She has a hard time stooping over the big tub as she is 7 months pregnant with her fourth child(who will be a girl) but she does what she has to do.
Elmer, my great grandfather is probably shining every one's shoes ready for the morning, and worrying over finances. Though he has a good trade, and is a second generation plumber and contractor, times are not easy.
The little house in town rings with the sounds of laughter from the children, and gentle scoldings from their mother. She tries to hurry them through their bath time, knowing it is still chilly for mid April in upstate NY.
As she dries them all off, she gives them each extra hugs and kisses, thankful for each one of them, and for a warm house, food on the table, and a husband who has a job.
Stay tuned for more 100 years ago today episodes!
***This is something that has been very important to me for more years than I can remember. My great grandmother disappeared one day, a long, long time ago. She left behind 5 fairly young children. Her family and her husbands family all say she was gone without a trace. No foul play, no other "interests" she just vanished. It has been one of my goals for the last 5 years or so, to find out what happened to my great grandmother, and there are just certain days, when I think of her so much, I can almost imagine what she was doing at this very instant..... 100 years earlier.

1 comment:

About Me... said...

I enjoyed the account of your grandmother. I wonder if something might have happened to her like the young women you hear about in the news - taken, killed and disposed of. Crime is nothing new. It was much easier to get away with too in generations past. Maybe when you meet her in Heaven, you can finally meet her. I'm sure she would be tickled that a descendant remembers her with such affection. Sad that she left without finishing her life with her family. But, you're taking her life forward in your own family. shery j