As a child I always looked forward to our trips to Brielle, NJ to see my mother's side of the family. One of my relatives who lived there and particularly fascinated me was my great-grandmother, Sara MacKellar. Most of the time she would be at my grandmother's house, but every once in a while we would stop in at her home. It had a very distinct aroma to it. Hindsight now informs me it was the musty way homes by the ocean can smell if the weather is moist and things don't dry out, but as a child I thought it was a magical smell. Misty instead of musty; intriguing instead of irritating. Her floors were covered with oriental rugs and all the furniture was made of dark mahogany and intricately carved. When we went there to say "hello", my sisters and I were instructed to "keep our hands to ourselves!" because "we don't want to break ANYTHING". My poor mother must have worried the whole time we were there because there were a lot of things in "Sara's" house that my sister and I could break (even by accident)!
I also remember she had the most regal voice. When she talked I thought she sounded like a queen. But in spite of that she was funny! I vaguely remember her saying things to us that would make us giggle, and she'd always have cookies for tea. I don't remember when she passed away, but I remember being old enough to know how privileged I was to have known a great-grandmother for as many years as I did. The picture above is how I best remember her. Smiling, dressed to the nines, and sitting regally among her elegant belongings.
Thank you Kerri, Bev and Daisy! I'm glad you're enjoying all the family stories.