Part 183: Will the Circle Be Unbroken
“I was standing by my window,
On one cold and cloudy day
When I saw that hearse come rolling
For to carry my mother away
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, lord, by and by
There’s a better home a-waiting
In the sky, lord, in the sky”
(1935 Folk song by A. P. Carter)
On December 15, 1925, Thomas G. Moses wrote a letter to his daughter-in-law Stella after learning that her mother had passed away. Understanding Moses’ great regret for having lost his own mother at such a young age, the following letter is especially poignant. Here is his letter in its entirety:
“My Dear Stella,
I just received the sad news, please accept our heartfelt sympathies in your days of sorrow. One of the greatest burdens that God asks us to bear is the loss of our Mothers. There is nothing that touches our heart in our every day life like the sorrow brought upon our mothers by some inconsiderate child, and the admiration we have for a mother in her love for the child is something that draws us to all mothers.
Your mother’s life will always stand out like a beacon light: a wonderful inspiration to all those seeking the light. A most consistent Christian woman that sought to do for others, in spite of her affliction, accomplished many worthy acts that will ever live in the hearts of all that knew her. The work is richer having had her with us. Her life will remain in the minds of your girls as one of pure love and sacrifice: a guide for Eleanor in her chosen work and one of sweet memory to all who had the pleasure of calling her friend.
From your sympathetic Father Moses.”
Moses’ eldest son Pitt married Stella Martin of Trenton, New Jersey on March 18, 1903. In 1906, they had their first child, Eleanor. The couple would have two more daughters over the years. Pitted worked for Moses’ brother Frank in the gas industry and business was booming.
Children and then grandchildren initially came back to the Moses home in Oak Park, Illinois, to celebrate Christmas and other family events. As the years flew by, it became more and more difficult to gather all the children home. In 1914, Moses wrote, “Would like to have the children and grandchildren every Christmas. We have a big house to entertain them, and I feel sure they all like to come to the old house, at least once a year.”
Looking back to 1888, Moses wrote, “I was tired of travelling and wanted to remain at home with my little family.” Almost thirty years later in 1917, Moses would write, “Pitt came out for a short visit and for the first time in twenty years, we had only the four children at home for a dinner. They were not allowed to mention their families. We sat each in their accustomed place. We all enjoyed it immensely. It carried us back many years when we were all much younger. I wish we could do it every year.”
Moses missed many family events while he was traveling across the country for work and sketching trips. As he grew older, every interaction with family became a precious memory.
“There are loved ones in the glory, whose dear forms you often miss. When you close your earthly story, will you join them in their bliss? Will the circle be unbroken, by and by, by and by? Is a better home awaiting in the sky, in the sky?” (Original lyrics for 1907 hymn by Ada R. Habershon and Charles H. Gabriel)
To be continued…
