Personal Essays

Remembrance and Memorials

A Remembrance of Family

My dad here, was the baby of his family. My grandmother's first born was Gretta. Born on Aug 7, 1908, she had a heart defect that made her, what they called then, a "blue baby" and she survived for less than 48 hours, With modern medical technology Gretta probably would have survived with immediate surgery or even surgery in utero. I don't think a mother ever completely heals the grief of the loss of an infant. Even after other children and grandchildren there still is that tiny missing piece. Grandma never forgot Gretta and visited her grave every year, placing a bouquet of peonies next to the resting lamb headstone. I remember the trips with her to this site, never understanding her pain with my child's mind. The lamb is long gone but we found her place of rest and held her in remembrance this day.
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