My husband’s grandmother, Clara Scheele, was a one of a kind person at least to me. I had never met someone her age that could remember things from her childhood. She lived to be 99.
Grandma Scheele, as I called her, was born July 9, 1902. It was still the Victorian era and a new century. I think she was so unique because of growing up in this time period.
I always thought her house was the coolest I had seen. It took me back to another world. There was no running water. Grandma Scheele had a pump in the kitchen. There was a stove I loved also. It was part gas and part wood burning. There was a two seater outhouse. I always wondered if someone would have to share when in there. I don’t think I could be in there with someone sitting right next to me.
Every time I was around Grandma Scheele she would tell me wonderful stories of her childhood. It was like she knew I would listen. I loved those stories and wished my children were old enough at the time to appreciate them.
She would tell how she had chores after school. She told me how her father was a wheelwright…..someone who makes or repairs wooden wheels.
I remember a wonderful poem she use to quote that she remembered from her school days. It was called, “The Blacksmith”. You can still read this in McGuffey’s Third Reader. Grandma Scheele would not miss on word.
I loved spending time with her. I could be transported back into time by her stories. You could almost see in your mind the story she told. She had a great gift.
I truly have missed her. Even though I heard her stories many times, I would love to hear them again.
She taught many lessons to those who would listen. She always said you are never too old to learn. Grandma Scheele would say if you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything at all.
I wish I could live by her words. If I could only do the things she taught, my life would be better.
I wonder what would happen if more grandma’s would tell stories to the next generation. I believe our world would be a better place to live in. The next generation could be taught great things from listening to a simple story told by a grandma.