Grandma's Ring

4/25/14

I have the honor of wearing the diamond from my grandmother's wedding ring.  My Grandparents, Fred Crawford Karr and Madge Adele Mohler were married in 1924 in Coshocton Ohio. Grandpa made his living selling insurance, but before that he was an accomplished athlete. He actually played minor league baseball for the Cleveland Indians.  He never went to war because he was required to stay home and take care of his younger brother.  I think that also got in the way of his baseball career.  Before meeting my Grandmother, he liked to travel and had traveled out to California.  We have a cherished picture of him in Yosemite sitting on the "Diving Board" before they banned people from sitting out there.

My Grandmother was a teacher.  She was #11 of 12 kids in her family.  Both my grandparents were leaders in Coshocton. My grandmother even wrote a book chronicling Coshocton's history for their sesquicentennial. I have the original manuscript of that book and it is still referred to as an important document for Coshocton. I can remember many a gathering at my grandparent's house with our many aunts and uncles.  It is where I learned to play Animal, Spoons, Crazy 8's and Casino.  I remember lots of laughter and delicious chocolate layer cake. I was the baby of this clan and felt loved and special.

Sadly, Grandpa Karr died in 1966 when I was 4.  I have very few memories of him, but they are all good. He was very patient, kind, playful and everything a grandfather should be.  He always had a stick of Dentyne Spearmint gum and loved Butterscotch wafers.

Grandma lived much longer and would come to visit in the summers and sometimes at Christmas. We would visit her as well. She had a beautiful home and a big purple couch that was very itchy!

She lived a long life and actually passed at the age of 96 on the same day my son Ian was born.  I have always felt that Ian came with a little extra kiss from his great grandmother as they passed between worlds together.

Because Grandma was in poor health later in life, mom and dad ended up with her wedding rings. When Brett and I announced our engagement mom and dad offered us grandma's ring.  Brett designed the setting and we used black hills gold to offset the stone.  Everyday, my family continues to be with me even though the generations before mine have all moved on to their heavenly home. It is a legacy I cherish.