The Giving Tree

Every year in December, my church has a giving tree. About half a dozen area families who are in need are represented on the tree. It is full of paper ornaments with the ages and wishes of each child, as well as items for the parents. Sometimes the wishes are specific, such as a Barbie, but mostly, there are generic items requested, such as hats/gloves or 'toy for a 6 year old boy.'

The last few years, a children's home has been added as a 'family.' I always make sure to now choose those ornaments, as my grandmother grew up in an orphanage in the early 1900's. Grandma died over 30 years ago, when I was a teenager, so I do not have a lot of details about the circumstances. Here is what I have pieced together from some genealogy research.

Grandma's father died when she was only three years old. He was 31 years old and his death certificate lists enteric fever/dysentery as cause of death (for some reason, I thought she had told me he died working on the railroad). He left behind his wife and two sons, besides my grandmother, who was the middle child. According to the 1910 census, all three children were listed as orphans, living in the same orphanage. I found my great-grandmother living 150 miles away at the home of her brother. Also living with them was their widowed mother and the brother's four children. He must have been widowed as well. The only thing I can remember my grandmother telling me is that she and her brothers lived in the children's home because her mother could not afford to take care of them. It seems so sad that they had a family of a mother, uncle, cousins and grandmother, but were listed as orphans. One can only assume that the uncle could not afford to feed three more people in his household. His occupation is listed as 'machinist' and there was a 10 year old son who was listed as being a weaver in a silk mill. How crazy is that?

By the 1920 census, my grandmother and her younger brother were reunited with their mother and her new husband, and living in the city that I was born. It's always interesting to think about the circumstances that led to one's existence, isn't it? Grandma went on to marry and have a son and two grandchildren. Although she was also widowed at a fairly young age (58), she always surrounded herself with friends. I actually wrote a post about her a few years back, 'City Grandma.' I always think of her during the holidays, as she spoiled me and my brother with gifts and lots of special candy.

This year, I purchased hats, gloves, mittens and arts and craft supplies for two five year old girls living in a children's home in Columbus. I hope it makes their holidays a little happier, as it makes me happy to remember my very special Grandma.

This plate hangs in my dining room and commemorates the year that the children's chapel was built for the home. I have no idea how or when my grandmother acquired it. From researching online, I discovered that it was originally established as a home for orphans of Civil War soldiers.

Wishing All of You a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy 2017!