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.