My Heroes... Ann Remington Ellery and Abigail Carey Ellery

Ann was William Ellery's first wife. She was educated and accomplished. She bore him seven children but passed away fourteen years after their marriage. I wonder if she passed away in childbearing. The brief history doesn't say. She set a tone in their home that undoubtedly influenced the future.

Abigail was William Ellery's second wife and considerably younger, twenty-five when she married him. She bore eight children, but only two made it into adulthood. How tragic. As young as she was, she died twenty-seven years before her husband.

Such difficult lives these women endured. I know enough about human nature they couldn't have been wrapped up in themselves. They never would have put up with being married to such notorious men. I believe many a man has failed to reach his potential because his wife couldn't bear for him to succeed or rise above her expectations. Yes, it's true, too, that many a woman hasn't reach her potential because her husband couldn't bear for her to succeed or rise above his expectations for her.

I don't think most people consider the courage required to support a spouse who excels. I think perhaps too often fear the rewards and success will steal them away. In some cases, sadly, jealousy perhaps plays even a larger roll.

I want to be the kind of person that supports others in reaching their dream and cheers when they make it, even if it takes them out of my realm.