~Continued from page 1...~
On top was a tissue wrapped parcel; and inside were yards and yards of hand-tatted lace, in a soft ecru time-washed color.
The note pinned to it with a now rust encrusted straight pen was scrawled simply, "Calla's Wedding Lace".
Calla had been Grizelda's Grandmother, who had eloped with a traveling magician named Gerard. So her beautiful wedding lace never was used.
Grizelda found it interesting that the lace seemed to have stars and spider webs in the pattern..
Under the lace were several post cards; one from Calla to her parents..
"I am fine. Gerard and I were married in Paris. Will write again soon. Love, Calla"
How sad. Grizelda knew that Gerard was killed when he was pressed into service in the War. Calla had returned to this house, carrying Grizelda's mom Lilly inside her, and spent the rest of her days wearing black, scuttling around like the ghost of a shadow. It was somehow a great revelation to know that Calla was once vibrant, brave and sassy enough to elope to Paris with a man she had only known 3 days!
Grizelda's mother, Lilly, was raised in this house, and, in spite of all the warnings from her mother and grandmother, she ran off at 15 to see Paris for herself.
Months passed, and Lilly had written a now faded post card to them..
"Dear Ones,
I have married a fine German man
named Oscar. We have a new baby girl.
We have named her after Oscar's mother, Grizelda.
Will write again soon.
Love, Lilly"...
