In 1958 my mother got married and moved across the country. These are the letters written to her, mainly by her mother, between 1958 and 1960, as well as other artifacts from my family’s past. Others in the series are in my del.icio.us file.
April 23, 1959Dear Maryrose and Pete:
We got your letter today, and so I am sitting right down and answering it. I will admit that I have been a little lax and wrote a letter after we went to the concert on April 1st. I enclosed the program, and a bulletin besides my letter and put 9 cents on it, but maybe that wasn’t enough postage. But where in the world did it go to? I asked you questions that I would like to know the answers to.
Did the doctor say for sure about when he thinks the baby will come? You see, I can only have three weeks off, and so I would like to be with you when the baby is here. As much as I want to hold you in my arms, I’d hate to leave without seeing your heir. I’d like to get there about a week before the baby comes, and then have two weeks, or almost two weeks with you and the baby. You did say the baby was probably due the 25th. Most times the first one is from 1 to 2 weeks late. I thought that perhaps I would leave here on the 22nd? What do you think of that?
The boys have planted 11 or almost 12 acres of oats. Your dad has a very bad cold. Gordon has to go to the hospital for about a month. That accident really fixed him up. He told Dad he was taking 11 capsules a day to keep alive. You remember he had to wear one of those neck stretchers. I guess it didn’t do him any good. Were you ever lucky at the time you had your accident. Your Guardian Angel must have been with you for sure.
Oh yes, I enclosed a letter from down home. But I guess I wrote you two letters, because I enclosed Loretta’s letter. Oh my poor ole head. I don’t know if it is worry over you and mom, or if I should get my eyes checked, but something sure is playing hob with my old bean.
Boy we sure got a nice bunch of calves. We had two sets of twins, one both heifers and one both bulls. One of the bulls couldn’t make it; the other is fine. We also lost one little heifer with pneumonia.
We got a beautiful Easter Card from Sister M. Bernadette. Next September she is going to Omaha, Nebraska to study to be an x-ray technician. Boy I’m telling you, those Beveridges are sure leaving their marks. Paul is an engineer. Loretta wrote that Mother was feeling better. She wouldn’t lie down so the ticker acted up. When she was up here, if she wouldn’t lie down I would get mad at her, and she would go to bed every afternoon, but at home I suppose she thought she was boss. The doctor said she could sew, wash dishes, but the boys were to weed her flowers, and she was to lie down twice a day. Loretta said the Doctor wanted to see her again in about a month, which will make it just about the time I am starting for out west. Please pray, both you and Pete, that Mom will keep getting better, and I can come out to see my precious “three”.
I was going to town this afternoon, instead I typed some lectures for Fr. Donahoe. He is a lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol. I guess the government is waking up to the fact that we had better start practicing ducking for cover. Too bad Mr. Dulles had to get so sick when his country needed him so badly. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he had his son baptize him into the Catholic Church.
Well I’m going around in circles, so I will have to close.
Let me know or rather answer my questions and I will abide by them. Take care of yourself, and tell that son of mine not to work too hard. There is tomorrow. With all our love, and
May God keep his Arms around you “three”.
Mother
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