Heirloom
It is worthwhile for anyone to have behind him a few generations of honest, hard-working ancestry." John Phillips Marquand once wrote. My family has been fortunate to have many industrious relatives. The story behind a small cup that was owned by my great-grandmother, Hattie Margaret Paralee Atchley Manning, is a perfect example of how my family has been taught to value hard work. Sitting on the table, the cup's designs seem quite warm and inviting. It stands about three inches in height with a slender white handle. The colorful alphabet runs around the middle of the cup and is surrounded by two chickens and a rooster. Not only does the cup pr
In the year 1912, she would walk approximately five miles every day to Walnut Grove Elementary School in Sevier County, Tennessee. She thought it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. At the end of the school year, the teacher told Hattie how much she appreciated her efforts and Hattie proudly received the beautiful cup. No matter the actual cost or value of the cup, it is cherished by everyone who has had the privilege to own it. Although the cup looks empty at first glance, it actually holds a timeless story of its own. When she arrived at the one-room schoolhouse, she would see the cup sitting on the teacher's desk. The cup was given to my great-grandmother, Hattie Manning, as a reward for her perseverance and hard work during the school year. oduce an eye-catching sparkle, but it also has a unique beauty. Hattie would no longer have to dream about owning the cup, but she could now happily claim ownership. It was first passed down to my grandmother, Frances Mae Manning Connatser, but shortly after her death, it was given to my aunt, Wilma Sue Connatser Gilbert. All during the school year, she arrived before the other students. The cup has been important to my family because it brings back fond memories of our beloved Hattie Manning's life and her penchant for difficult labor. Now, looking back at Hattie Manning's strong will, I have come to realize that you always appreciate something more when you have to work for it. Her teacher promised her that if she would complete her chores for the year, then the cup would be hers.
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