My Grandfather's Unhappiest Birthday

My maternal grandfather, William Carl Robert Meinzen, was born on this day, February 8, in 1892 (although some records suggest it might have been 1891). Either way, this is the anniversary of his birthday. He was born in Steubenville, Ohio, the son of Henry Carl and Elizabeth (Armitage) Meinzen.

I suspect that his unhappiest birthday was 1973, the year he turned 81. It was unhappy because his wife and my grandmother, Emma (Bickerstaff) Meinzen, died on February 7, 1973. She'd gone to the hospital just a few days earlier and I don't think any of us realized how serious it was. I think all of us were filled with disbelief that she could be gone. But it must have been the worst for my grandfather. They'd been married nearly 60 years.

I believe they are together now and I hope they are enjoying each other's company. Happy Birthday, Grampa!