A monochromatic motif of Abraham Lincoln in black. Inspired by many words of wisdom and the recent movie that I so want to go see, the man in black was on my mind today. I think his life is quite interesting. His wife loved him so much and he to her.
About 2 years ago while rambling through an antique store I cam across a book called "Mary Lincoln: Biography of a Marriage" by Ruth Painter Randall
The front of the book says it all
"now for the first time---the truth about one of the most controversial women in American history, and the never-before-told, never-to-be-forgotten story of her life with Abraham Lincoln."
I have only read parts of the book. It was published in 1953 and must have been a gift to a Wanda June Jones, as this is written in the front of the book with the date of 1953.
Up until this time, evidently the rumors and myths, stories was that Lincoln loved Ann Rutledge instead. These stories were spread by his law partner; however, through the unveiling of letters starting in their early courtship through the presidency and until his death, he truly loved Mary in spite of all the troubles she had in dealing with the death of their son, politcal committments, and other things.
This book is the story of the day-to-day life of the Lincolns which began in Springfield, Ilinois. The letters that were private in safe deposit boxes and explored over a 100 year span of time interested the author Ruth Randall, especially of Mr. Lincoln coming to answer the front door in pushed up sleeves and an apron at times. Mrs. Lincoln spent more that she was allowed to refurnishing the White House.
Through all her devastations and struggles, she was holding Lincoln's hand when he was shot.
Then again, she had much grief that extended for a long time as she truly loved her husband and missed him so much.
Some of my favorite Lincoln quotes are :
Be sure to put your feet in the right place and then stand firm.
I'm a slow walker, but I never walk back.
Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.
All I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.
We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thornbushes have roses.
The best day about the future is that it comes one day at a time.
Every man's happiness is his own responsibility.
It has been my experience that folks that have no vices have very few virtues.
You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.
I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.
You cannot escape the possibility of tomorrow by evading it today.
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.
You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry.
To ease another heartache, is to forget one's own.
I would rather be a little nobody than to be an evil somebody.
My best friend is the man who will get me a book I haven't read.
I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from The Savior of the world is communicated to us through this Book
and his passage here:
Here in my heart, my happiness, my house.
Here inside the lighted window is my love, my hope, my life.
Peace is my companion on the pathway winding to the threshold.
Inside this portal dwells new strength in the security, serenity, and radiance of those I love above life itself.
Here two will build new dreams--dreams that tomorrow will come true.
The world over, these are the thoughts at eventide when footsteps turn ever homeward.
In the haven of the hearthside is rest and peace and comfort.”
with love from the homestead,
Jennifer
P.S another design project one day will go with this one for a pair. Both would go well in oval frames for a colonial reminder that our forefathers had much wisdom for us all to learn. Stay tuned for a Mary Todd Lincoln soon......
and Abigail
Faith, hope and love
