Happy Birthday Maudie

The picture above is of Elizabeth Susan Burnett Brunt and her granddaughter Maude Elizabeth Groberg Neeley.  They were both born on the same day, April 30.  Elizabeth was born in 1854 and Maude was born in 1908.  When little Maudie was born, her mother Maude Elizabeth said to her mother Elizabeth Brunt, Mother, I have a birthday present for you.  She had no idea how prophetic that statement was, because eleven days after Little Maudie was born Maude Elizabeth died.  When Maudie's father died a little over a year later, the responsibility of raising Little Maudie was left to Elizabeth Susan Burnett Brunt - birthday buddies for life.    Maudie would call her grandmother Mama.

Maudie had two older brothers.  After their father's death in 1909, the two boys were reared by their Aunt Mattie.  Grandma Brunt struggled valiantly to care for this new baby.  She was assisted by her daughter Violet, who was a school teacher.  They nursed the infant through a long bout of pneumonia, with the best remedies they had - mustard plasters and prayer.  After months of sickness, the child Maude was able to recover her health.  At this time Elizabeth Susan determined to return to New Zealand to visit her homeland with Violet and the baby.  She needed a vacation and visit to vitalize her life again.  The trip succeeded. It fulfilled their needs, bringing happy reunions with Elizabeth's husband's family.  The picture below is of Maudie on the ship traveling to New Zealand.    Maude lived with her grandma from the time of her birth until she was 16.  She remembers Elizabeth as a refined lady, whose hair was neatly combed, and her collar nice and clean.  She had brought pretty dishes from New Zealand, and taught Maude to enjoy the finer things of life.  Evening meals were served early, at about 4:30 when the boarders came home from school.  After dinner, Maudie was sent to play while Elizabeth cleaned up the dishes.  Then she would read to her from a book for children such as "Girl of the Limberlost,"  "Pollyanna,"  "Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come,"  "Little Prince," and the serials in the church magazines.  Only when she turned six was Maudie given a birthday party by her grandma.  Maude Elizabeth Groberg Neeley was an amazing woman.  We may devote all of April just to her stories.  She was a woman of faith and courage.  Happy Birthday Maudie.