Do You Ever Wonder........

When I am gone from this life will I be remembered?

For those of you with children and grandchildren, it probably has never entered your mind.

Or has it?

For those of us that do not children, I feel like when I am gone

that it's....

Since my cousin gave me my Great Aunt's pictures, papers and letters

I feel very close to 3 ladies. And I tell myself 50-70 years after they 

are gone...they are not forgotten.

They did not have children either, somehow I am like a sponge trying to soak

all the information I can about them.

Aunt Emma

My Great Grandfathers baby sister, youngest of 12.
I think she was so pretty.
Never married, probably due the fact she contracted
polio and was in a wheelchair.

She lived with her father in the family home on the farm after her mother died.

Her house still stands down the street from 1515.
After her father died she moved off the farm and lived at this house from
1900-1941 until her death. Her sisters when widowed would come live with her.
She lived the longest, dying in 1941 just after my Great Grandfather
I have the stories about her and now I have her things.

her autograph book
But recently I was was reading about what her niece wrote about her.
The written words of Aunt Annie brings these people to life.

"Aunt Emma was always cheerful. She welcomed us whole-heartily when we went to see her and we did that often. She liked to hear the news of the kindred. She enjoyed a funny story, a joke and we had many good laughs together. 
She always enjoyed being outdoors, even as a child. While living at 810 Jackson, she often sat on the front porch. She exchanged greetings to those that passed by. Many stopped by to visit and there were always plenty of chairs on the front porch. One little boy about 10 often visited and like to play chicken or other similar games with her. 
After she died, he asked if he could have a picture of her. A studio photograph of her was given to him.
That pleasant companionship of a child and elderly lady, reminded her nieces and nephews of how pleasant and kind she had always been to us, which we could recall from our earliest memories.
The happiest times I had with her companionship centered around music.
She taught me to play the organ. In later years I especially enjoyed playing duets with her after she bought her piano."

Sitting on her front porch with her sister, sister in law and nephews.
Look at her flowers, the elephant ears!


The last picture I have of Aunt Emma is with my Great Grandfather at the 1940
Galbreath Reunion.

Aunt Emma, you are not forgotten.
As we drive or walk by your house...
As I listen to cousins talk about visiting you or staying the summer with you...
I guess as long as you make a impact on others lives you will not be forgotten.
Thanks for the lesson.

Next week...........Aunt Effie