Great Aunt Emma

My Grandmother’s sister was born Emma Dorothea Hexom. She had a twin brother named Ludwig. She weighted a pound or two and slept in a shoe box. She grew up to be a short stout lady who was as wide as she was tall. She lived in Rosholt South Dakota in a cheery yellow house on main street.

I know Grandma Viola loved Emma but I always got the impression she didn’t like her much...after all she baked without recipes and never used a measuring cup. She preferred crochet over knitting and spent hours tadding nearly useless lacy edges. She carried little white gloves to church on Sundays and wore white lace-up shoes when most wore the more traditional black lace-ups. She had cotton dresses starched and pressed to impress- she was quite a fashion statement I suspect.

Emma spoke little and when she did it was to tell us all of her daughter’s travels and her life “out east”. Of all my relatives of that era I miss Emma the most. She could always make you feel -capable, important and useful. She could look you straight in the eye and you’d feel part of something bigger and more important. She was warm and comforting, I have terrific memories. Thanx Emma.

Happy St. Paddy's Day

At some point I wanted this blog to express who I am and where I’ve came from.
I always had a hobby of Genealogy and this time of year I am reminded of my Irish heritage. My Great Grandmother Kate (better known as Granny Burke) was born in Catholic Ireland. She came to this country without her parents. Her parent remained in Ireland, and much more than this I don’t know. Maybe her parents had died with the potato famine, maybe they wanted her to go to make a better life for herself. She had many headaches in this country. She lost 3 sons, 2 as babies and one in his 20's in a car accident. She also lost her husband, and she herself was buried with much honor in her family plot (without a head stone I might add). Little more is known of about this lady. I use the old Irish tales to help me get in touch with my roots. I listen to David O’Donnell singing songs like “Oh Danny Boy” and “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” on PBS and imagine my Granny Burke closing her eyes and dreaming of the old country. Happy St. Paddy’s day to all my friends and family and on behalf of my Irish fore-fathers and mothers.