[Note: on the back of this old photo, in my grandma’s handwriting is written: Dad is pulling the string on the old Brownie (camera) and is wearing the usual worried expression – wondering if the thing will collapse!]
Emily Krautman Chamberlain | born February 29, 1904 (a leap year) | entered the gates August 31, 1983
Daughter of Lucy and Charles Krautman
Sister of Lucy, Lydia, Elsie, and Charlotte
Married to Harold P Chamberlain
Mother of Hal and Ruth
Grandma to Peggy and Susan
and numerous great, great-great, and great-great-great grandchildren.
A woman of excellence.
Where do I begin? I began this story three weeks ago here and today I’m ready to share more about this woman, Emily, who had a huge impact on my life. She was a woman of extreme faith, tolerance, patience, kindness, love, and at times intensely in-your-face honesty – you can read about that here. And, there were times she overlooked things that needed being said, read about that here. Today, I want to share some stories – more for legacy sake than anything else. I want our grandchildren and their children to know what kind of “stock” they come from – I want them to know that when the going got rough? Grandma Emily kept going – working through extreme grief and heartache…but wait, pull up a chair and let me share a story about this extraordinary woman.
***
The year was 1948. The war was over. Emily’s son, Hal, had served in the US Navy and was married to my mother, Teresa, and they had one baby girl, Peggy. Emily’s daughter, Ruth, was married to Ellsworth and life was beginning to return to a peaceful, post-war normalcy. Ruthie, as she was lovingly called, was pregnant with their first baby – he was born in her 7th month – he had extreme deformities and died almost immediately. Sorrow moved in.
Then, a year or two later Ruthie was pregnant and great hopes were reborn. This little guy was still-born in the 8th month. In came sorrow again.
In the meantime, Teresa had another baby girl in October 1950 – that baby was ME! Ruthie became ill – although everyone thought she was grief-stricken sick. But it was so much more than that and in September of 1951, Ruthie passed away. Family stories are not quite clear on what claimed her life. Sorrow came to stay.
Emily went into a deep, deep depression. So deep, no one or nothing could reach her.
My grandfather, a tender man, bought Emily a kiln – she had always dabbled in ceramics but would go to a studio to work. Grandpa thought if she had a kiln and a room she would pick up the craft once again. Grandpa was so wise because that’s exactly what Emily did. Every day for four years she entered her own ceramic studio, adjacent to their home, and absorbed herself into clay, molds, glazing, and painting. Teresa, now with a 5-year old and a 1-year old, would push the stroller along a gravel road for two miles, every single day, and sit with her mother-in-love. That ceramic studio was papered with anguish, prayers, sorrowful laments, and eventually healing.
Then in 1955, Grandpa had a massive heart attack, and was immediately retired from his work. Grandpa and Grandma Emily moved to South Florida. Eventually, Hal, Teresa, Peggy, and I moved too.
Florida was a soothing, healing balm for Grandma and Grandpa. They enjoyed their retirement to the fullest. They gardened and served in ministry and loved on their two granddaughters.
***
Here are some fun quirks and quips about Grandma Emily!
- Always had a craft interest. Paint-by-number. Egg-shell mosaics. Dolls. Doll clothes. Needlework. Wire crafts. I believe I get my craftiness and love for crafts from Grandma Em!
- They loved to fish and went out deep sea fishing often. One day, they caught a Bonita fish and were told to throw it back because they were poisonous. Grandpa took it home, filet’d it, cooked it and when they sat down to eat they kissed each other good-bye in case it killed them. It didn’t.
- The two of them went to Lake Worth beach, every single day, and swam.
- Grandma would play the organ and Grandpa accompanied her in his beautiful baritone singing voice – always hymns.
- Grandma loved Christmas and one year was so excited to serve parfaits in her new stemware to the family. We always gathered on Christmas Eve for a big meal at their home. Dessert was served and her Parfaits, consisting of vanilla ice cream layered with red and green Creme de Menthe was served. It was delicious. After everyone scarfed down the last drop of the dessert a jovial, comical mood overcame everyone, Grandpa asked, “MOM WHAT WAS IN THAT ICE CREAM?” Just some liqueur I picked up at Walgreen’s. “In the liquor store of Walgreen’s?” Yes, it was so pretty, red and green. “Mom, you can’t be feeding that to these little girls!!!” Oh Harold, it hasn’t hurt them one bit.
Enough said, right? - Grandma was full of wisdom. She taught me a beautiful lesson in grace. You can read that here.
- Loved to play games. We played Yahtzee and Scrabble all.the.time.
- Loved to “take a risk.” Okay, now don’t judge! Grandma went to the dog track; however, Grandpa would not drive her “onto the property” so he would drop her off at the entrance and make her walk AND that’s where he’d pick her up two hours later. Yes, she would bet on the races. No, she never took more than $20 with her. She loved to watch the dogs race and she loved the excitement of winning!
- On their 50th wedding anniversary they went on a cruise. Each night as they walked to the dining hall they passed the ship’s casino. Each night Grandma would look at the doors and Grandpa would just take her arm and lead on! The last night of the cruise they began their walk to dinner and as they approached the Casino Grandpa put a weighty little velvet drawstring bag in Grandma’s hand and said, “I don’t want to know what you do with these quarters nor do I want to know where you are for the next hour – I will be waiting for you at our table!” Now, that is true love!
- She prayed every day for her granddaughters and their children. Lord, keep them from the evil one and sanctify them with Your Truth – Your Word is Truth.” (from John 17)
The life and times of Grandma Emily Chamberlain – there are so many more stories and tales to tell but this is a good beginning. Thank you for reading!
xo
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I related so much with your thoughts today! My grandma Nichol was my hero in my life. I’m a better person because of her influence in my life! You’ve inspired me to write a little remembrance about her today.
Do that, Liz. So important to chronicle these stories. Xo
Oh my goodness. This has sparked a deep longing for not only Grandma but Mother! I could use a good cup of tea or a parfait (grandma style) and just talk and laugh. I think I will incorporate some of this in my book for Kara’s grandma.
Perfect, sister!!!!
I love this Sweet Friend! Takes me back to the days with snow piled high we sat around my Granny’s table playing Rook, Scrabble, and Chinese Checkers. There was always cake and vanilla ice-cream!
{{hugs}}
Tammy
Yes, Chinese checkers!!!!
What a tribute! What a legacy! I love researching my family tree, and what a way to share for future generations.
Debbie, writing this makes me want to dig deeper.
Wow what a great story! Of course I started thinking of my wonderful memories of my grandmother. Thank you Susan for sharing what a blessing!
Heritage is so crucial.
A lovely walk down memory lane. We’ve known each other for years but after reading this I understand you even better. What lovely people and what precious memories. Standing on their shoulders…
My Grandma Lillie Lay Johnson Lewis was was a small, holiness woman who loved her grandchildren with all her heart. She was poor in this world’s goods but rich in Christ Jesus. I would sit beside her on the old hard pew and silently listen as she prayed on her knees on the cold wooden floors. 60+ years later I still depend on those prayers. Thank you Grandma Lewis. See you soon.
Every night on their knees until arthritis and old age set in.
She sounds like an amazing woman. It’s so fascinating to read about the people of our past. Thanks for sharing!
So very fascinating.
What can I say? Words nearly fail me (odd for me, huh? LOL)……………I will just say……..”I love it I love it I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!” What a blessing your grandmother was to you! How wonderful. Thank you for sharing so much about her with us. Thank you.
Kathy
Girlfriend, you don’t need words just send a hug!!!
Reading this and reminscing. I too was blessed with a Grandma who I’m convinced had wings hidden under her housedress. I learned so much from her. By the way she lived her life I knew the strength of her faith and love of her family . She taught me the joy of helping others….and how the best way to end the day is kneeling beside your bed in prayer. Reading your stories truly does make me grab a cuppa and take some quiet time to just remember my Grandma, and to thank our Lord for the blessing of her.
Deb, I’ve read your words about your grandma.
Thank you for sharing about your Grandma! I could listen to your stories all day! Love hearing old stories and what a great reminder to be that example for the littles around us so they have an example and stories to tell and give them a loving, Godly foundation of memories to hold onto and recall. Quite the gift! Xox
There’s more!!!!
Susan, I loved reading this post because I loved my grandma as well. In thinking of the years she influenced my life, I am grateful for a grandma who loved the Lord deeply, modeled a prayer filled life, and taught me much by example. Praying that my life somehow does the same for those in my family. Thank you for the reminder that there are little lives watching. Blessings! xo
Special, God filled women. Yes, Lord.
Hi Susan,
I’m your neighbor at Coffee for your Heart today. I love old photos and hearing the stories behind them! What a wonderful legacy your grandmother gave to the family — especially her prayer legacy. Enjoyed my visit here today!
Oh yes, a prayer legacy!!!
Grandma Emily seems like an amazing woman. I laughed at the Christmas parfait story. Reminds me of something my grandparents would have done especially my Grandpa. 😛 I love that she prayed for everyone…living Deuteronomy out in her every day life. So cool. Oh and my mom was born in 1950 too. Craziness!
See I COULD be your mama!!!!!
Susan, I just loved these stories of your grandma. She was quite a woman. I love it, too, that she was faithful in praying for her family. My grandparents never really played games with me, but my aunts did. Now that I’m a grandma I love playing games with my grandchildren. We play card games and instead of scrabble we just do it on our phones. That way when I’m not with them we can still play. 🙂
Blessings to you, Susan. It was a joy to visit here today!
Always a joy to have you here.
Loved reading this, my friend! What a post full of honor and legacy and wisdom and love! xoxo
And, ms k that was my goal!!!!
Our grandmothers left earth on the same day many years apart. Thinking of you today and the love of our grandmothers. xo
Really?
Thank you so much for sharing your Grandma’s story: I also went to read the links you posted to previous posts: what a powerful Scripture she held onto in Acts 16:31- but reading her story here I see why God gave her that promise to cling to. I struggled to read the rest of this post after this: “Emily went into a deep, deep depression. So deep, no one or nothing could reach her.” Tears, just tears. Thank You, Jesus for holding her tight, even then. So amazing to hear of her influence on your return to faith too. My Mum had glioblastoma multiforme in her last days and because of that her social filter was removed, but oh what a blessing came from that as she uncovered things we had never known that have started to usher in healing where it has needed to come. She also point-blank asked me why I was so angry and recommended I seek counseling and do what she told me she never really did: look after myself and set healthy boundaries. This advice has been something that has encouraged me every step of the way toward healing. I have set down boundaries, been through therapy and am seeing not just my life impacted for the better, but also my family’s.
She also point-blank told me as she was dying: “Don’t worry about, Ruben (my husband), Anna, he’s coming to the LORD.” And this before I had even returned to faith (the peace upon her as she lay dying being part of the catalyst for my search for grace which I thought was beyond me, as was the overwhelming love and peace God poured down upon me as my heart was tearing apart, when we got the news that she only had two to three months left)…anyway, long story (which my book is about)…all to say: yes- truth-tellers are powerful hope-carriers.
Anna, you now know more about me than I’m sure you wanted!!!
Susan, I LOVED these stories about your Grandma Em! I love that she worked through her sadness using her hands to craft beauty! Oh, and my Granny Violet loved playing Scrabble, too. Every. Night!
Her ceramic hobby was the instrument of healing for her deep grief.
Loved your story bout your Granny Em. Brings me back: Jacks, scrabble,, Lake Worth Beach n Carvel Ice Cream on Sunday’s after church. My Grandma sang in the Baptist Church, my dad played organ n the uke by ear so daughter Wendy got her musical legacy from them not me. I can’t carry a tune! Thank you for sharing. Hello to Peg.
I know, right?
What a loving heritage you have. This really spurred me into writing about my grandmothers, who were both amazing Godly women, for my children and grandchildren’s sake. I think that will be my January project when I am visiting my mom this winter 🙂 You are an inspiration, my friend!
Please do, Jana.
I wonder just how many of us stand on the shoulders of such strong women. Thanks for documenting this story — your kids and grandkids will be especially blessed!
She was an amazing woman. Proud to be her granddaughter!
What a treasure trove of stories. My heart goes out to anyone who lost a loved one, especially a child. I loved reading about your grandparents and seeing all these wonderful photos. Time here is but a breath truly, looking forward to forever with our Father and all who have gone on before us. Be blessed today friend! Your neighbor from #FreshMarketFriday~
Meghan, time here is truly a breath and our “real” life begins in glory.
Oh I so love generational stories and how faithful lives create a legacy that lasts and lasts! What a testimony…thank you for giving us a peek into your legacy Susan:)
Crystal, remembering where we come from and who we come from. POWERFUL.
Awww! What beautiful memories of your grandma and grandpa! My grandma loved Rook and Scrabble and traveling with my grandpa in their Alaskan camper.