Tea at Trianon: A Tale of Two Grandmothers

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

A Tale of Two Grandmothers

An article about my grandmothers and how they inspired my faith. (Catholic Exchange welcomes similar stories about inspiring women.) Share

10 comments:

Julygirl said...: It is encouraging to see a granddaughter express such regard as well as acknowledge the unique influence a grandparent can have. An inspiring account!; April 6, 2010 at 10:56:00 AM EDT
tubbs said...: Thanks for sharing, EM. Now you've got me thinking about the strength and faith of old matriarchs. Thank Heaven for the "Communion of Saints"; these people are still with us.; April 6, 2010 at 1:01:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...: Very interesting article, EMV. Your grandmothers were strong women with so much character. You are lucky to have known them. I never knew any of my grandparents, unfortunately.; April 7, 2010 at 12:00:00 AM EDT
Aron said...: I loved reading about your grandmothers, Elena! What wonderful, faithful people! We never know the impact we have on others...I noted and enjoyed your comment about passing on the stories to the next generation. I am attempting to write down the family stories while there is still time...
~Aron <><; April 7, 2010 at 8:10:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...: Beautiful testimony! :)s; April 7, 2010 at 8:20:00 AM EDT
ImportanttoMadeleine said...: I saw your post about your grandmothers and have to post a link to an article that was online when my wonderful mother passed away a few years ago. Her faith was the most important thing to her and I often think of her when I look at your blog. Thanks for sharing your grandmothers' stories. http://streamsofmercy.blogspot.com/2007/11/in-memoriam-jane-denton-wife-of-senator.html; April 8, 2010 at 7:59:00 PM EDT
elena maria vidal said...: Thank you! Very moving!; April 8, 2010 at 9:46:00 PM EDT
Unknown said...: Thank you so much for sharing your memories about your grandmothers, Elena. You were very lucky to have such a loving relationship with them. Reading your post made me think about my paternal grandmother, a lovely, beautiful and very brave lady. She had a very difficult life, being left a widow with two young children at the age of thirty. A teacher by profession and a surgeon's wife, my grandmother's financial circumstances were very much reduced after her husband's sudden death and she worked very hard to raise her children and provide for them. I admire her for never letting her troubles get the best of her and for always smiling and keeping up a good front. Not even her closest friends knew how difficult it was for her to make ends meet. She was always elegantly dressed and her hospitality was legendary. She was a very good, loving and tolerant mother and a wonderful grandmother. One of my first memories is of my grandmother praying at night beside my bed. I have her rosary and my most treasured gift from her is a wonderful painting of the Sacred Family. My grandmother taught me French,which is my second language, she baked me cakes, she gave me dolls, toys, books and dresses, but most of all, she gave me her unconditional love. Unfortunately, my parents' difficult relationship meant that my grandmother was not always welcome at my mother's house. My mother's remarks made me feel guilty about wanting to spend time with my grandmother and for being glad when she came for a visit. When I was 9 years old, she suffered a stroke and spent the last months of her life in hospital. I was not allowed to visit her, my mother claiming that I was too young, although my brother and cousins were allowed to go and my grandmother often asked about me. When my mother told me that my grandmother had died, I did not have the courage to show my pain in front of her. I remember my mother telling me that grandma was in Heaven, with my maternal grandmother who had died long before I was born. I'm sure my mother was trying to console me, but at the time I thought it was cruel of her to mention her own mother and to dismiss my grandmother's passing so quickly and make it all about her own family. I did not think it likely that my grandmother would rather be spending eternity in Heaven with an unknown woman, instead of spending it with her parents, husband and baby who had died before her. Growing up, I missed my grandmother very much. I hope one day I'll have at least a bit of her strength and grace. I love her and admire her so much. It's very hard not being able to talk about my feelings for my grandmother with my family. Reading your article gave me the courage to mention her again. Thank you so much, Elena, for giving me this opportunity to write about my beloved grandmother, Marie-Hortense.; April 19, 2010 at 7:58:00 PM EDT
elena maria vidal said...: What a beautiful and moving story, Alix. You should send that to Today's Woman at Catholic Exchange. It is very inspiring!; April 20, 2010 at 8:30:00 AM EDT
elena maria vidal said...: Thanks to you all for your kind words!; April 20, 2010 at 8:30:00 AM EDT