I. One of my 'memoiring' searches led me to this old photo. So very many life stories could be told these many years later.
The setting: the sierras of Córdoba where we went once a year for church camp, a beautiful area that evokes fond memories.
The people:
- The two kneeling in front are no longer with us. The first taken in a tragic accident that left my friend to raise her four adolescents alone. The second, my best friend's brother, a seminary teacher. His death was not as sudden, even so, unexpectedly premature. His widow is wheelchair bound and has a non-verbal down syndrome daughter still at home.
- My three younger brothers are clustered on the right, all middle aged now (depends on your definition, I guess, but they are not in the senior citizen category yet), and all have a heart for missions--the taller one is a pastor who also served as a missionary in Argentina; the next one is serving there now; and the youngest is an elder of a Spanish speaking church.
- Next to them is my former boyfriend who will figure prominently in one of the chapters of my current writing project, My Argentina: Life and Struggles of a TCK (or something like that). As I was researching background information about JR's Basque immigrant ancestry, I learned so many interesteing facts.
- Argentina has welcomed the greatest number of Basque immigrants, so the connection between the two countries is very strong.
- They are a very strong (stubborn?) people who have survived for centuries as a unique group
- Their language, euskera, has no known ties to any other.
- Distinguishing physical characteristics are: prominent chin and nose; big ears; and RH negative blood group. A common way to refer to non-Basques is "short ears".
- The tallest young man in the photo teaches and trains pastors and evangelists in several countries: Peru, Chile, Argentina.
- Some of the other names elude me. But one of the girls I must call this week, good reminder of a neglected opportunity.
An aunt on my father's side started scanning old photographs. This one of Dad's four oldest siblings is a treasured bit of history.
All overcame adversity and lived full lives. The oldest was one of the founders and presidents of Grace Seminary. His head always did have a tilt. I wonder why? Maybe I will find out.
Another aunt on Mother's side, spent countless hours going through Grandma Hirschy's diaries and letters highlighting anything to do with our family. I especially enjoyed the following entries:
Gradma traveled to Huntington, IN to help out when Mother got out of the hospital after I was born. In her diary she recorded, "Sam carried Kathryn out to the car and into their new home. I held the baby."
Next day, "Baby is fine. She is a darling with black hair. Kathryn tried to eat dinner at table almost fainted, but ate supper with no problem."
It is hard to imagine Mother in such a weakened state. We know her as the strong one. How the roles have reversed. If she could, she'd be the one carrying Daddy now.
In the family letter the following week, Grandpa wrote: "Mother got home from Huntington a week ago today. She says the baby is a Hoyt, she has dark hair and is a very intelligent child, already understands when you talk to her. Hoyt and Hirschy must be a wonderful combination!!!!!"
So there you have it--the H-H heritage! ;)
Just imagine the fun I am having perusing the 200 pp my aunt chose and archival-librarian cousin copied!
Dad told me once that U. Herman had a muscle or tendon that was shorter than its opposite. He told me that a benefactor had paid for an operation, which helped, but never did completely straighten the tilt of Uncle Herman's head. I don't know who the benefactress was, but that's what I was told. Can't remember who told me.
ReplyDelete