The Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918
killed 50 million people Worldwide, including
675,000 in the United States.
One of the victims was my Grandmother.
My Dad's Mother.
She had eleven children. They lived in Philadelphia.
Her name was Margaret Cafferty Williams.
You see her here in this photo.
The little girl in the photo is her daughter, Marquerite, one of my dad's older sisters.
After her death, my Dad, Cyril Joseph Williams, born in 1909,
and the younger children went into the Catholic Orphanage in Philadelphia,
where he spent several years, leaving when his sister, my Aunt Marquerite,
lied about his age so he could join the army, which he actually did, at age 16.
Here is his photo, taken at that long ago time.
My Dad stayed in the army until 1954.
I don't know what happened to all eleven of the children. I did have the pleasure of being with my Aunt Marguerite at least three times in my life.
My Dad passed away in 1973. Just the other day, I was reminded that if alive today, he would be 111 years old. He didn't speak of his childhood very much...I expect it was very difficult. And, I've no idea what happened to my Grandfather.
I do wish I had been able to meet my Grandparents.
My aunt told me that I "had my Grandmother's hands."
I don't know if she loved sewing by hand like I do...but I choose to think I got it from her.
I also think she would have loved seeing my children, her Great-Grandchildren.
And,
now we are in another pandemic.
100 years later.
History repeats itself.
Because, it seems, we never learn.
Do listen to those that know.
Do think of others.
Do all you can, where you are, with what you have.
Let's help each other get through this.
Wherever you may be this day
BE WELL
from
Bird Nest Cottage
🇺🇸
❤️❤️❤️
