Treasure Rediscovered and Herbert Comes Home

Over ten years ago, my Great-Aunt's house (my great-grandparents' house) was dismantled when she went into the nursing home. She was one of twelve children, all but two had children of their own, herself and Herbert Graham Berry. Herbert died at age 24 from meningitis. He was the oldest and my grandpa was the second oldest (born in 1896). I knew neither man, but as the treasures from Aunt Bradley's house were argued over. I claimed Uncle Herbert's portrait. No one else made a protest and I promised to give him a home. My mom had him hanging in her house until they moved out to the farm. This weekend while up there I reclaimed Uncle Herbert though he will not be hung until we return from England, he has found his home until I am gone and I will make sure that my children know who he is and keep him in his family.

However, he is not the treasure rediscovered. When I was 7 or 8, my grandma was ill and staying with my Aunt who lived two houses down from us. One of the things I remembered about her was a little pewter teaset that we would play with on her bed in my Aunt's home. While I was at my mom's, my cousin called to say that in going through my Aunt's belongings she ran across a small pewter teaset and promised to send it to me. Though it has no significant value to most, it reminds me of my grandma that died when I was 9 and I loved her above all. Again as a child I knew next to nothing about my grandma except that I loved her and she loved me. Later I would learn that she probably had undiagnosed altsheimers and that she used to torment me. It's crazy how a child's mind works and that I only remember the good things.

Oh, yeah, we're still here. No new news. I wish I knew when we were leaving. I'll let you know when I know something.