Tuesday, July 16, 2013
January 1st, 1916
A date can be very symbolic. Edyth began this journal on the first day of a new year. It seems that this new record book represents so many "beginnings." For her, namely the beginning of a new life she eagerly anticipated. I have to believe her greatest inspiration, as her introduction alludes to, was her love for Chester, to whom this diary was dedicated. And, as this was to be the year they would eventually wed, I imagine this was a place to record her hopes and dreams for their young love. I have tried to begin projects like that, even diaries, at the first of the year. However, mine have not lasted as long as hers did. I think, sadly, no more than a few days.
Page 2 --
January 1st, 1916
Out under the stars - who always seem so comprehensive and friendly - we pledge - "The Year." No one but God and my lad and I know what that means to us - as Elizabeth Barrett Browning says:
"But only three in all God's universe
Have heard this word that hast said -
Himself beside
Thee speaking and me listening!
Men could not part us with their worldly jars.
Nor the seas change us - nor the tempest bend.
Our hands would touch for all the mountain - bars -
And heaven being rolled between us at the end
We should but vow the faster for the stars."
~ Sonnets from the Portuguese
Monday, July 15, 2013
And So It Begins
Dear -- The things I've written here sometimes sound rather odd and queer as I read [them] in later moments, long after the occasion of their birth has passed; for oft they came from a heart all full to bursting, seeking to express itself to you. I pray that tho the words may lose their fire behind them, you will read and know the warmth of Spirit and the Love which called them forth. And, forgetting all the days of "in-between," live once again the hours I've lived with you. Those hours, "each one a precious pearl to me
My Rosary" of Love.
* Punctuation and sentencing are true to the author's first writing. I have added a few words in brackets [ ] for clarity when necessary.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
The Facts
Before beginning with Edyth's diary entries, it's probably good to let you know some of the facts about her (and perhaps a bit of my own commentary as well):
- Edyth was born Edyth Viola Sage on November 11, 1888. I love that we were born the same month -- Thanksgiving babies -- as are many other family members. Must be something about November in this lineage.
- She was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota (same place as my maternal grandfather -- we really do live in a very small world and are separated by very little). I am currently tracking down more of our pedigree, of which there is quite a bit known. In fact, there was an entire book published about Elias Sage, Edyth's great-great-grandfather, who fought in the Revolutionary War! As soon as I have more information I will post it here. Thanks to Don Sage for helping me with the genealogy lines.
- Edyth married James Chester Armstrong (also born in 1888 in Rochester, New York) in July of 1816. They were married in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their courtship, marriage and early life together is quite well documented in the diary and is such a romantic love story. Far better than any beach read you've read this summer.
- Edyth had five children, Jim, Jean Louise, Gilbert (who lived for 23 days), Edie Ann and Ben. Jean Louise (better known as and lovingly referred to by her mother as "Teenie") is my paternal grandmother. I have only met her siblings in brief, many years ago. I would love to discover more about their families and where they have landed, as we are really all one family.
- Edyth studied the Bible profusely and journeyed to the Bible lands several times, often leading tours. I like to think her diligent prayer life has continued to cover our family down through the generations, and aspire to become more diligent like her.
- She lived in many places, including Seattle, Washington. I love Seattle and since moving to Oregon have always felt like I naturally "fit" into the Pacific Northwest. Now I know why.
- After James died in 1944, Edyth remarried Samuel L. Hoyt in 1947. I do not know much about Samuel, but hope to learn much more through this project.
- Edyth died in Palm Beach, Florida in 1965. She had a rich, long life and left behind quite a legacy.
Obviously there are MANY facts unknown to me. Others are written on the pages of her diary and will be shared in due time with her stories. If you knew her personally or have facts that would be helpful for others to know, please share them in the comments here.
The Purpose: Sharing the love and life of Edyth Sage Armstrong Hoyt
For over 5 years I have held a diary in my possession. It is not just any old diary, either. It is that of my late great-grandmother, Edyth Sage Armstrong Hoyt -- a great Bible scholar -- and a very typical mother of four that lived through many historic events: the turning of the 20th century, the Great Depression, WWI and WWII, a catastrophic accident that left her with a diagnosis of never being able to have children (to which she responded with four little miracles) and a life of deep, true love. I cannot say that I remember knowing my great-grandmother, as she died fourteen years before my birth, however, I am blessed by her legacy. She was a woman of faith -- strong and unwavering in her love of God and all of His creation. She was a published writer who left behind many printed works that I can tangibly hold in my hands and read through to learn more about the Bible and its main characters. She was a mother who stoically ignored the doctors who told her to give up her dream of having children. Her motherly intuition told her God had other plans...and so He did. Thankfully, I am here, three generations later, as living proof that her bloodline is still alive and well.
I acquired Edyth's diary shortly after the death of her daughter, Jean Louise, my paternal grandmother, who had held it in safe-keeping since her own mother's death. In the lines that are so beautifully and meticulously documented are the words of someone I recognize - a voice I know. It is the voice of my ancestors, my father and grandmother, who were taught by Edyth and raised with the advice and encouragement I am now reading from she herself. They are two of the reasons I desire to know more about Edyth and about where she came from. My father and grandmother are two of the most righteous, faithful, prayerful, courageous individuals I have ever known. Their lives are a testimony to their faith and to their ancestors, like Edyth, who, not surprisingly, overcame some pretty magnificent challenges and who chose to remain focussed through it all on life's beauty.
Despite reading single entries over and over (Edyth's writing is melodic and reads like a song; it is captivating and at times, breathtaking, like listening to the voice of God), I have never actually read through the entire diary from cover to cover. I deeply desire to do so. However, it has strongly been on my heart that all the descendants of this brave, prayer-warrior should benefit from her insights, her strength, her love of life and of simplicity. Thus, I want share her words here, on this blog, where you can all read along with me and step into life almost one hundred years ago. It's truly astonishing to me that these words are that old. That the ink used to put them onto paper is still very opaque and delights in being read. The words quite literally jump off the page as though they just recently left their pen with Edyth's distinguishable cursive writing and her playful style that includes exclamation points and many interjections. It's amazing to see similarities in the way her words look on paper and the way mine look. Is penmanship really such a dominant genetic trait? Perhaps so, but in that case, I can only hope that many of Edyth's other traits have also been passed down through the generations.
Through sharing her words, I hope to open new conversations between family members who have never met one another. Perhaps broken or torn relationships will find new grounds for discussion and reminiscence. I aspire to carry her legacy forward and to share the depth of this simple but profound woman. And possibly, as we learn more about her story and about her life journey, we will ultimately learn more about ourselves and the deep connection shared by all of us: children of God. I invite your additions to these stories. If you have facts to add or details that would clarify parts of the story (perhaps explanation of a named person or event), please share them in the comments below that section. If you have lengthier input please feel free to e-mail me so that I can include appropriate pieces in the longer narrative. And of course, be encouraged. It is not everyday that we find a gift like this. Edyth has captured a glimpse of another world, another time and place, and cocooned it protectively in the bindings of this book so that now, one hundred years later, we can open it for the first time and transport back to a golden era.
I acquired Edyth's diary shortly after the death of her daughter, Jean Louise, my paternal grandmother, who had held it in safe-keeping since her own mother's death. In the lines that are so beautifully and meticulously documented are the words of someone I recognize - a voice I know. It is the voice of my ancestors, my father and grandmother, who were taught by Edyth and raised with the advice and encouragement I am now reading from she herself. They are two of the reasons I desire to know more about Edyth and about where she came from. My father and grandmother are two of the most righteous, faithful, prayerful, courageous individuals I have ever known. Their lives are a testimony to their faith and to their ancestors, like Edyth, who, not surprisingly, overcame some pretty magnificent challenges and who chose to remain focussed through it all on life's beauty.
Despite reading single entries over and over (Edyth's writing is melodic and reads like a song; it is captivating and at times, breathtaking, like listening to the voice of God), I have never actually read through the entire diary from cover to cover. I deeply desire to do so. However, it has strongly been on my heart that all the descendants of this brave, prayer-warrior should benefit from her insights, her strength, her love of life and of simplicity. Thus, I want share her words here, on this blog, where you can all read along with me and step into life almost one hundred years ago. It's truly astonishing to me that these words are that old. That the ink used to put them onto paper is still very opaque and delights in being read. The words quite literally jump off the page as though they just recently left their pen with Edyth's distinguishable cursive writing and her playful style that includes exclamation points and many interjections. It's amazing to see similarities in the way her words look on paper and the way mine look. Is penmanship really such a dominant genetic trait? Perhaps so, but in that case, I can only hope that many of Edyth's other traits have also been passed down through the generations.
Through sharing her words, I hope to open new conversations between family members who have never met one another. Perhaps broken or torn relationships will find new grounds for discussion and reminiscence. I aspire to carry her legacy forward and to share the depth of this simple but profound woman. And possibly, as we learn more about her story and about her life journey, we will ultimately learn more about ourselves and the deep connection shared by all of us: children of God. I invite your additions to these stories. If you have facts to add or details that would clarify parts of the story (perhaps explanation of a named person or event), please share them in the comments below that section. If you have lengthier input please feel free to e-mail me so that I can include appropriate pieces in the longer narrative. And of course, be encouraged. It is not everyday that we find a gift like this. Edyth has captured a glimpse of another world, another time and place, and cocooned it protectively in the bindings of this book so that now, one hundred years later, we can open it for the first time and transport back to a golden era.
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