happiness

A History in Photos 17 (FGK 174)

Today’s photos are kind of exciting for me because they’re of Grandma’s family (the Browns). I don’t really know much about the Brown family so I really appreciate these photos.

60th wedding anniversary. Aunt Strutt. My mother’s sister (Edna’s aunt)

Four of my cousins. Uncle William Brown’s family Cousin Gertie on the left

Martha Brown with first granddaughter Aileen (now Mrs. John Copithorne) and daughter Edna- Aileen’s aunt – Mrs Percy Copithorne.

Mrs . Frank Brown (Martha) holding first grandchild Aileen Davies

Left to right: Martha Brown and friend 1928

Frank Brown, Cochrane (I’m not sure how old this photos is, but it’s barely holding together – either a well loved photo or a very very old one)

Martha Moore Thompson of Pembroke Ontario. My mother (Edna’s) Martha Brown

As far as we can figure (with some good detective work by my cousin Jen) this is Martha Brown’ mother. So my generation’s great-great grandmother. I had already shared this photo – but now we know (I think) who she is.

happiness

A History in Photos 16 (FGK 173)

The last day of Auntie Sheila’s family.

We weren’t totally sure- but based on the photo below we guessed Uncle Ted and Dixie? Also – anyone know where this photo was taken? We have the same painting hanging above the fireplace here (it’s a view from the yard here towards the mountains, but the mountains are painted wrong – they’re the ones you’d see closer to Bragg Creek I believe).

Great Grandma Edna Copithorne. Sept 21 1980. Betty Burger and son James

happiness

A History in Photos 15 (FGK 172)

I’ve kind of sorted these photos into files to try and organize them. The next couple of days are of Auntie Sheila and her family.

Sheila Copithorne and Paint heading to school

Sheila Copithorne dancing with Ken K….. <Kenectson?ugh> (Slim the Mountie)

Sheila Copithorne. Cat Smokey in the can. This is written in grandma’s handwriting but I’m pretty sure it’s Grandma in the photo

happiness

A History in Photos 14 (FGK 171)

Today’s photos include Aunt Annie (Grandpa’s sister), and Aunt Ruth (Grandma’s sister). I only have vague memories of Aunt Annie and don’t really know Clarence David at all -but when I was reading the letters Aunt Annie sent to mom in the hospital I thought over and over that her son was a much loved child. How wonderful to be so loved.

Aileen Copithorne (she is a relative on grandma’s side – the Brown side- but married a Copithorne to either make things more simple or more complicated)

Sandra and Lloyd Copithorne (Aunt Aileen’s children)

happiness

A History in Photos 13 (FGK 170)

Sheila’s Birthday Party. Left to Right: Back row: Marshall Copithorne, Harvey Buckley, Bob Robinson, Clarence Buckley. Front Row: Kenny Copithorne, Richard Copithorne, Sheila Copithorne (without her two front teeth), Anne Copithorne, and Sue Robinson

Lynn Burger, Jinny Walker, and Cherie Copithorne, shelling peas for Grandma Copithorne. 1979 (along with Penny our dog)

This is Edna and husband, Sheila and Marshall. How small Sheila is in this snap. This was taken outside of sun porch at their home. Note they are sitting in a bunch of flowers. Edna is great on having plenty of flowers of every kind. Edna has a big smile on this snap but she is always smiling. I believe when she is mad she is smiling. The snap I sent you before was Marshall he has grown since this was taken.

Percy and Edna Copithorne with cousin May’s baby. (May was also mentioned in photos from a couple of days ago. I have this vague memory of visiting someone named May and her husband on Vancouver Island. I remember them because he had set up a conveyor belt of sorts to bring driftwood up from the beach so they could burn it as firewood and they had grafted several trees to produce different kinds of apples etc. Can anyone verify this? As a child they seemed like the kind of couple that would be written about in some really good old book and I always kind of wanted to turn out like that.)

I love seeing photos of the place before the highway.

happiness

A History in Photos 12 (FGK 169)

Today marks 4 years since mom passed. I started sharing these stories last year in the hopes that I would get to understand her better, to know who she really was. I’m not sure I found what I was originally looking for, but this process has helped me in ways I never could have imagined. I was still feeling pretty broken in my own life from the challenges of recent years and I was seeking guidance and support, although I didn’t know that at the time. I think I have a better understanding of the strength and courage the entire family had to get through what they were faced with . Polio didn’t just impact mom, but her entire family. And the faith Grandma carried, the grace and humility she showed in her letters and memories have left me with gratitude for the incredibly strong line of women that I come from. The letters helped me see how Grandma was held steady by her faith in God during what must have been an unbelievably challenging time. It’s one thing reading the letters on this side of history – knowing that mom survived and knowing how things turned out. But at the time…. There would have been no way to know, no guarantees, and everything was just blind faith. As someone who really struggles with trusting that God has my back even when I can’t see it – this has been very comforting.

Look at how dressed up Grandma and Grandpa got to go visit mom at the hospital! And the garden in the background!! I remember as a kid playing with the snapdragons in this flower garden. It’s gone now, and there’s a deck near here – but I really miss the flowers growing along the side of the house. Grandma really had a green thumb.