9 Comments

This is a wonderful history lesson. To find these "anchors" in our own history feels like such essential work. You capture the personal and the global, in such a vivid way.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Stewart! Anchors indeed. I feel like I could use a few more than usual these days. Maybe that was the down-deep impetus for this piece.

Expand full comment

Love this Elizabeth. Isn't interesting that as we age, we tend to look back at our history AFTER all the decisions and child rearing is almost over in our lives. Wouldn't it be nice if we could have the time and inclination to study and learn from it BEFORE we make life mistakes. Very interesting piece!

Expand full comment

A friend of mine once told the story of how her aged mother shared something meaningful with her. The friend chastised her mother for waiting so long to tell her. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?!" she complained. Her mother replied, "I did. But, you weren't ready to hear it then." Timing is everything, right? Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Amy. <3

Expand full comment

This is so true. I always heard wisdom is wasted on the old - after George Bernard Shaw's quote about youth being wasted on the young. I just wish I had been a better listener!

Expand full comment

Um, the memories of Mr. Stewart... not sure it was the teaching that made him less than appealing, as you diplomatically put it. Love this tale, and those pics.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Stephanie. Maybe we'll see what the school "collective" has to say, if others get up the gumption to comment. Ha!

Expand full comment

Betsy, What a lovely story about your family! And fascinating account of that era. Love how you articulate what we're feeling about history repeating itself. Handsome family photo. Bother upper right looks like your mom and Don.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Nancy. Somehow the caption on that photo went missing for a bit (it's since been replaced). Our grandfather (Virgil) is at far left. Howard is at far right. We always said that both my mom and Don had the "Barker" nose. Ha!

Expand full comment