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Show 83 peers than in the context of their religious commitment, no other way to attribute the enlarged performances which resulted. Poor health, with brief periods of well-being, continue for Ellis to the end of her marital year. Five weeks before that time she reports: "Little Carl, the little sufferer, has gone to rest-" and that he will know no more of "earth's pain." Carl is Maggie's baby. He was exactly 11 months old on March 30, 1973 when he passed away. 15 Her sorrow is deepened by the memory of Willie, her own small son whom she previously lost. Milford is not there to provide comfort, and Ellis affirms, "Had it not been for the hope, the blessed hope of immortality my heart would surely have broken." We can only guess at Maggie's feelings on that occasion. The women of their time, with the high infant mortality rate that was part of their common experience, surely must have felt helpless in the face of repeated personal losses. What discouragement they must have known through weeks or months of watching the tiny flame of a young life wane, then flicker, then go out. Neither callous nor casual about such events Ellis, as did other women of her time, for years afterwards marked the anniversaries of the births and deaths of these small visitors. Her attitude seems rep-ft resentative of the best among her peers: I know the Lord is merciful and good. He give us these treasures and I know that we should thank him for letting them remain with us even for a short time, and not murmur when he takes them away. Little Willie is happy, little Carl is happy--16 The final weeks of her year include such diversions as a |
