Meet my great grandparents, Alverta and Charles, pictured here in 1922. I deeply admire their immense bravery and courage. Together, they had twelve children, and in August of 1918, their house caught fire and burned to the ground. Alverta and Charles survived the fire, along with my grandmother, and five of her siblings. Although my great grandparents managed to escape with some of their children, the others were upstairs in bed sound asleep as the flames blocked their escape. That awful night, my great grandparents lost half of their beloved children. I can’t even imagine the pain of losing a child, but losing so many children and having the strength to still be brave, wonderful parents to their surviving children is incredible. I don’t really think they ever got over it… but then again, how do you get over the death of half of your children?
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My great grandparents lived until they were 90 and 93, dying within one month of each other. They were wonderful parents to their children, grandchildren, and great great grandchildren, and it makes me feel at peace knowing that they are finally reunited with all of their children again.
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This is dedicated in loving memory of my great-great aunts and uncles who were taken too soon; Howard, Freddy, Harry, Curtis, Violet, Grace, and baby Ava. ~shared by @katiegryson