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4 Generations of Women, children, daughters, Diana Schwenk, family, growing up, Hump Day Chronicles, life, memories, Mothers, Relationships
~ LISELOTTE RUTH MARGOT ~
Liselotte: Saint
Ruth: Derived from the Hebrew word רְעוּת (re’ut) meaning “friend”.
Margot: Child of light. Persian
Liselotte was born just a couple of years after the first World War on a summer day in August of 1920. Unfortunately, photographs and stories of Liselotte’s (Ruth’s) childhood, if they ever existed, are lost. It is known however, that she was raised with two sisters.
Childhood couldn’t have been easy for Ruth who grew up during the Great Depression and came of age at the beginning of the second World War. It would follow that food and basic necessities were scarce. It is likely that Ruth may have also been abused as a child.
At age 17, Ruth married and one year later at 18, she gave birth to the first of six children. It was a hard life, six children and a husband five years her senior, away at war for most of the early years of their young family. At some point alcoholism became part of Ruth’s reality, perhaps as a way to cope with her difficult circumstances.
Ruth was physically strong for a woman – a trait that was passed down to the women of the next generations.
Ruth and her husband, Fritz spent a lot of time at the bar. Fritz had lost his leg to Gangrene after being injured in the war and had a wooden leg. One of his favourite pranks was to sit beside a stranger and hit the stranger’s leg as hard as he could. Predictably, the stranger would hit him back, not knowing that Fritz’s leg was made of wood. Now, not only did his leg hurt, but so did his hand – all to the great amusement of Fritz who was said to laugh loudly each time his scheme worked.
Once while Ruth was waiting for her husband on the ground floor of the building they lived in, she could hear her child screaming from their apartment a few floors up. She ran up the stairs, burst into the apartment, and screamed at her husband to stop whipping their daughter for taking a piece of bread.
Fritz died in his 50’s due to severe health issues with his leg complicated by his excessive drinking. Many years later Ruth told her then teenaged granddaughter that a couple of weeks before Fritz died, she woke up in the middle of the night. Paralyzed with fear, she watched as the angel of death looked at her and then pointed his finger at her husband. She knew then, he would die. Widowed in her 40’s, Ruth never remarried.
As the years went by many of Ruth’s children became bitter and estranged from each other and their mother. Except for Margot who escaped these family feuds by moving to Canada, and Frank the youngest of the six who had a close relationship with Ruth.
Ruth never revealed much about herself, even when asked by her granddaughter. Although she never really let her guard down or easily showed affection, there were hints and clues that made it obvious she cared.
Ruth drank most of her adult life and smoked filter-less cigarettes that came in a red pack, yet she remained remarkably strong and active for most of her life. In her 70’s she told her eldest, “I just want to make it to my 80th birthday and bring in the year 2000.”
Ruth, having lost most of her eyesight due to glaucoma, celebrated her 80th birthday surrounded by all her children in August 2000. She had achieved her wish. Sadly she passed away several months later in February, 2001.
Ruth was tall, loud and strong. Her granddaughter remembers her laugh and her vice-like grip on her arm. It would seem that Ruth’s anger was a shield of protection – an automatic defensive reaction to any threat that came against her.
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
Related posts:
Our Families and Why We Are the Way We Are
Four Generations of Women – Part 1
russtowne said:
Of the 5 installments, I realized I’d missed this one and went back to experience it. I love them all. As another reader suggested, I’d love to see you do a similar series on the men. These are so good, that it would be great to see you do them on aunts, uncles, cousins, et al. Thank you for the taking the time to create these for us and for future generations, Diana.
Russ
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dianasschwenk said:
It’s on my to-do list at some point. Maybe after I visit my folks again and talk to Dad about the history and look at the old black and whites…
Diana xo
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When in New Places said:
So beautiful, Diana! I’ve really loved these snippets of the amazing women in your life – and the amazing woman that is you.
What a great idea, so beautifully written and thoughtful. 🙂
What a wonderful homage ~<3
~Andrea
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks so much Andrea! I’m writing a final thoughts post on the series currently. I’m actually sad that it’s over (for now). I didn’t expect that. 🙂
Diana xo
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this is lemonade said:
Just reread the series from the intro post to this one. It really was such a great idea. What you were suggesting about the historical impact on future generations really resonates with me too. The longer I’ve been married, the more I realise the unique quirks I’ve brought with me. Things I took for granted because my mother always did them this way, or things I realise I don’t like about how I handle certain situations… Then I realise I got those approaches from my mother and remember her telling me stories that I’m sure describe how her past impacted upon her behaviour or attitudes…it’s been something I’ve been learning over the years and discovering. Wondering how possible it is to stop some of the cycles for future generations too… Very fascinating stuff!
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dianasschwenk said:
Hey thanks so much for reading the whole series! I love the fact that you are sharing your experiences in life with this subject, right here in the comment section!
Diana xo
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elizabeth2560 said:
What country did she live in and did she move to Canada with your mother?
It has been is interestingly reading about your female.
You will have to go back with the men now 🙂
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elizabeth2560 said:
** female line
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dianasschwenk said:
Berlin, Germany and No. My Mom left Germany with my Dad. My brother and I were born in Canada – we are first generation Canadians. The rest of the verwanten on both sides of the family stayed in Germany.
I was thinking I might do the men one day on my Dad’s side, we’ll see. 🙂
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elizabeth2560 said:
Ah, so you grew up in a nuclear family detached from your extended family….. the exact opposite of me.
Yet, the same pull to your roots appears very strong.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes. Interesting. I’ve heard the same from adopted people too. I guess we all want or need to know where we come from.
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jmgoyder said:
I love her!!!
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dianasschwenk said:
She was 6’1″! Not the type most messed with!
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jmgoyder said:
Ha!
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sedge808 said:
six children !!!!
omg.
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dianasschwenk said:
She was pregnant way more than that! Six survived.
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mrs fringe said:
Beautiful. I have a particular fondness and interest in the women of Ruth’s generation. They seem to have been particularly strong, in every way.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes it is so true Mrs. F. It was her and the women of her city who, brick by brick, rebuilt Berlin after the war.
Diana xo
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mrs fringe said:
❤
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joannerambling said:
It is amazing that so many people can live such a long, mostly healthy life even though they drank and smoked so much for most if not all their life
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dianasschwenk said:
It is amazing indeed Jo-anne!
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
A poignant example of why someone behaves the way they do. Perhaps if we had been raised in a similar circumstance we would be the same (anger as a shield of protection). Looking forward to your next installment. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jennifer, I think all us women in my family have a little bit of that in us. I’m not sure it goes away, but one can learn to modify behaviours. 🙂
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
A true struggle for many, to maintain moderation. But my heart goes out to people. We don’t always know what they’ve been through.
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dianasschwenk said:
So very true Jennifer ❤
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Professions for PEACE said:
Incredible series Diana! And your writing is astounding, bringing me right there – face to face with this strong guarded woman. What a life she had, definitely a survivor. And to see that frightening angel? Wow. Thanks so much for sharing these powerful stories. Love them all. And you! Hugs, Gina
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Gina for your encouragement and for reading this series.
Blessings to you!
Diana xo
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Wyrd Smythe said:
Wow, another great one. Loved the bit about the wooden leg! Amazing how she got her wish, and then she was done.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yeah from all reports, it was a definite highlight to my Opa too! haha.
Yes, I’ve heard stories of people near the end of their life, seemingly choosing that they are ready to go, to some extent. A letting go…
Diana xo
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Abi said:
This is a great story! showing so much strength and grace. Its so emotional! I love these series….. I’m so glad she got her wish and lived to see her 80th birthday… celebrated with all her children. Thank you for sharing!!!!!!!
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dianasschwenk said:
You’re welcome Abi and thank you for your gracious comment!
Diana xo
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Drjcwash said:
Great stories. Can’t wait for the rest of the story.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Dr!
Diana xo
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cyclingrandma said:
Great stories– keep it coming.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Lisa.
Diana xo
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Louise Gallagher said:
I love this series! You amaze me and touch my heart. (Please don’t stop!) 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
I am writing a ‘final thoughts’ post and then I’m done! One day I will have to fly to Berlin and research further back and then maybe I can continue. Thanks for your encouragement Louise!
Diana xo
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bulldog said:
Damn I’ve enjoyed this series… pity you can’t go back further… great posts Diana, each and every one…
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks bulldog, I think it will be weird for me to stop now. I will miss this series.
Diana
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