First daughter: Margaret Gillett Wickware 1895-1971
My grandmother. Married at a young age to an older man, gave birth to twelve children and saw all reach adulthood. She was my grandmother, and the person in my life who, somehow, convinced me I was going places with just what I had: me.
Second daughter: Elmina Wickware Donlon Mcguire 1926 —
Her daughter, my mother. Married and divorced my father after over 25 years of marriage. She has five children, over a dozen grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.
Third daughter: Sharon Ann Marie Donlon Roth 1954 —
Her daughter, me. Married young, and still married to the same guy 36 years later (and proud of it!). Two children, one grandchild (so far).
Fourth daughter: SerahRose Gillett Roth 1978 —
Her daughter, my daughter. Separated, yet living a satisfied life in today’s new form of extended family and friends. One child (so far).
Fifth daughter: Aviendha Constance Rowland-Roth 2006
Her daughter, my granddaughter. Lots of life and love to come still 🙂
A few days ago we went to visit our daughter and her daughter and I got to thinking how much I wished that my grandmother could have met my granddaughter. It would fill a novel, and I suppose someday I could try to write it, but for now suffice it to say that I am overwhelmed with joy at what life has brought to these five daughters.
I understand that my grandmother was totally unschooled, and I watched her sign her name once with an X. My mother quit school in elementary school to stay at home and help her mother raise all of those children. Although attending school for most of my adult life (a few years off between 1972 – 2004), I’ve been able to achieve that “terminal” degree in my field. My daughter has a 4 year degree, a ton of fascinating life experience already, including travel and living in big cities, and like, her daughter, that littlest daughter of us all, has many years and experiences to go!
Five daughters – five women – who says immortality doesn’t exist?
“I call Gamma Shannie ona phone. An’ Poppi too….Hi Gamma!”
Hear Hear.