Thursday, June 16, 2011

Magpie Tales #69, "A Legacy"

Photo Courtesy of Magpie Tales - Tess Kincaid


A Legacy

“Sally sells seashells by the seashore
She sells seashells on the seashell shore”
Olive and Lulu, born in 1882 and 1887.
As a youngster I couldn’t get enough
of their master storytelling and
tongue twisters.  At their feet I sat, listening;
“The seashells she sells are seashore shells,
Of that I’m sure.”
laughing and enjoying their frivolity.
Innocent fun, two uniquely educated
woman, inspiring a generation to live
life to it’s fullest.  To embrace the mind.
She sells seashells by the seashore.”
A fascinating mixture of ladylike manners
and snappy, intensely focussed minds.
Worlds of imagination lurked behind 
Lulu’s laughing eyes and dancing voice.
She hopes she will sell all her seashells soon.
Olive a bit more demure, laughter a bit softer
was not outshone by any means.
Sweetly she matched her younger sister’s wit;
both master storytellers, they.
If neither he sells seashells
Nor she sells seashells
Life cloaked them with eternal youth
as their legacy is one of uplifting hearts. 
To this day when I hear “Sally’s Seashore”
tongue-twister of letter “S”,
Who shall sell seashells
Shall seashells be sold?
Olive Ruth & Lulu Belle Beckington live on.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens, 4-9-11

* * * * *

These two woman never married and devoted their lives to education and teaching.  They bought a house and lived together, teaching in the state of Oklahoma.  (If a woman got married "back in the day", they had to give up their career.)  They were my grandfather's cousins. As I recall, the tongue twisters were NO problem for them!

I have also submitted this to "Magpie Tales" #69.  I wrote this back in April, but since my summer has been so busy that I barely have time to sit and eat (which isn't a bad thing), I will "cheat" a bit and use this one.   

8 comments:

Maude Lynn said...

What a great tale!

Helen said...

Margaret, this is a magical Magpie Tale ... and all the more special because of the history you shared with us.

Ginny Brannan said...

How lovely that their legacy lives on in your memory and in this story!

Pitterle Postings said...

I think that is a wonderful "cheat!" Good for you!!

Tess Kincaid said...

Very nice tribute to your family history!

Lynette Killam said...

This piece charmed me...what a lovely memory to have in the family lore, and an absolutely fine way for the cousins to be remembered!

I want to thank you, too, for your lovely comment on my Oreo post... I'm quite in agreement that it wouldn't be heaven without our animal friends alongside us as they were in life! So glad you stopped by...:)

Lynette

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

when legacy lingers,
miracle happens.

what a tale.
Thought provoking write.

Ginnie Hart said...

Totally delightful, Margaret. I smiled all the way through this. :)