Born in 1849, Charles Trowbridge Pierson and his twin sister, Mary Ann.....the boy dying at age 7 weeks, and then his sister one month later. One hundred and fifty-plus years later, we grieve with their parents.
I planted Sweet Rocket (hesperis) 25 years ago, and it has planted itself every year since. It is classified as an invasive plant, and thus shunned by responsible gardeners. I love it.
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I cannot imagine what life was like back when it was not uncommon to lose one or more children in their first few years.
I can't either. I've seen it over and over on the gravestones I've photographed, but it's still incomprehensible. A friend told me one of her ancestors didn't name the babies until they had passed their second birthday.
I meant to add that I've heard the theory that parents were more distant from their children back then, as a self-protective measure, but that doesn't take into account simple biology and maternal (and, it is hoped, paternal) instinct.
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