Sunday, January 8, 2017
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Mom's Letter: September 3, 1961
Dear Mother and Dad,
It was so good to hear from you and I really didn't realize that it has been a month since I had written. The weeks go so fast there are so many thing I want to get done and have to get done. Peaches are on this coming week and I still haven't finished the girls school dresses and I want to make me a new dress for the fall tea (the Medical wives tea) and i just can't seem to to everything. Sometimes I think I should drop everything and just take care of family and then I think I need the diversion. It is fun to do a lot of things but I wish I could finish more of them. I keep thinking of things to tell you and I guess I think of them so much I figure I have already told you. I thought I told you Bruce bought two sport shirts up to the Veteran's Hospital PX with the $5.00 you sent and how much he has enjoyed them. He will write soon. He has been so busy. Tonight he is starting another job and this will continue through the rest of the year. It is working at the LDS hospital in the delivery room and examining the girls who are having babies. It will be every fourth night from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. It will mean about $100 a month and every little bit helps. His job in neurology is finished next Thursday and he is going into the hospital for another liver biopsy a week from tomorrow (Sept. 11) and he will be there three days. He has been a little better this past week but it is important that they find out if his liver is healing or if it is the same or getting worse. If it is what the last biopsy indicated it is quite serious and it is worth it to us to find out for sure. (it is too complicated for me to describe and I don't particularly understand it anyway) He will still be working on this other job down to the County Hospital 2-3 hours an evening until about the 22nd of Sept. He starts registering the 18th and starts school the 25th. He is really looking forward to this year and so am I. He really enjoys medicine and it is certainly well worth it.
I have been wanting to tell you for so long how much we enjoy our Japanese doll. I put her away every so often because this place is so dusty that I don't want her to get really dirty but then when we get her out it is just like the extra "something" in our apartment. We went to the home of one of the foremost doctors in his field in the world and they have been all over the world He had two of the dolls and ours is every bit as pretty. In fact I thought prettier
I do wish you could have seen the children on their first day of school. The first day we registered and I took the three children down and Jeanne and Jayne were so thrilled. Jayne is the room Roark was last year. Jeanne is in another and there is only one other girls (sic) she knows but she is getting along just fine. The teacher said we could separate them and if they are too unhappy or don't adjust too well we could put them together. They seem to be quite happy although it is quite an adjustment for both of them and they are prone to tears a little more often than they were. That will all pass I know. Bruce is the same every time he starts a new quarter of a new service (like medicine, surgery, pediatrics, etc). He doesn't cry but he is touchy. Roark is thrilled with the first grade he goes until 3 p.m. He takes his lunch and has a lunch pail and a thermos and thinks he is pretty snazzy. The first real day of school was Brett's birthday and we made sugar cookies but cut them in the shape of gingerbread men and so Stacey, Brett, and I made them while the other children were at school. Brett still has his $3 and is thinking of all kinds of things to get with them He was so cute on his birthday. Auntie bought him a farm truck with a horse trailer and two small horses. With the money the Nevilles gave him we bought him another suitcase for his animals and treasures (he had worn out his other one and it was getting too small) and a tractor. He got a Lone Ranger sweat shirt and shirts and socks etc., etc., and it was really fun. I am looking forward to this winter with just the three smaller children. Brett really needs some extra loving. He is such a wild Indian he is hard to be nice to sometimes. He causes most of the trouble and quarelling in the household and so the kids blame things onto him even when he isn't responsible. He is such a little sweet heart when he wants to be. Stacey is so lovable and talking so cute and she is just a fun girl to have around. She is so stubborn sometimes she is unbearable but we really enjoy her. Shelley is getting so fun. Stacey loves to feed her and the other day she gave her a chocolate chip cookie. Shelley will be sitting up by herself soon, I think, and is picking up things and changing them from hand to hand. She lost most of her hair and it is coming in very slowly. She is such a happy baby and will be crawling in a couple of weeks. She really isn't a vert fast baby and I am glad. We have so enjoyed her and Roark is asking for twin boys next year.
Uncle Pert died last Thursday and the funeral was yesterday. It was very nice and he died of a heart attack while at Catherines (sic). he is taking it very hard but Norah seems to be doing nicely. For some reason those two girls jut seem to have very little to do with each other. Even at the funeral they didn't sit together and at the mortuary they hardly spoke. Merrill Holbrook and Horace Beesely spoke at the funeral and it was really very nice. Aunt Lucille came up from California and it was good to her again. Uncle La Mont has such a good wit. His death isn't as if if were so tragic as he has been ill for so long and everyone seemed to be enjoying them selves to see one another. After the funeral we went down to the Nelsons, Aunt Mary's parents. Auntie went with us and she will write and fill you in on who was there. Dora Trowbridge and Ruby Smedley and asked when you people will be coming home. I hope you make it in a year. I know better than to count on it but it would be nice. Many others asked about you and I don't really think I hear enough from you to tell them much. The children were thrilled with their cards. The love to get anything in the mail. Every day Raork ( can't spell his name on the typewriter) asks if he got any mail and he so seldom does I dot know why he asks but he always does. Uncle John and Aunt Sadie are moving down just through the block from Dean and Dot. Dean an Dot were going to Fish Lake over the long weekend so they weren't there and Keith and Bettie had to work but Keith did go to the mortuary Friday night and stayed most of the time. I don't know if Dean made it or not. He was going to try. We were on our way up to Ogden to see Maureen so we didn't stay too long.
Maxine would love a muu muu for her birthday. I haven't seen Aunt Lyda since she came from Wyoming but she called. Auntie is up there for the weekend. Auntie is on the go all the time. We have so appreciated her and the help she gives me with the children. She is getting a lot of self confidence and will go ahead and do things she never used to. I am hoping we will be interning at the LDS or at the Dee in Ogden but we don't know and Bruce isn't sure just where he wants too. It is up to him of course, but I do hope we stay around here. I would like to be in SL because it will be closer to home and interning is really rough as far as having him home very much. Auntie said Barbara stopped in and visited with her for a few minutes (she probably told you)and how pretty she is and what a sweet girl. I would like to see her. It was so good being in Bountiful again.
I go on and on and probably forgotten half of the things I was going to tell you. Thanks again for the money and Brett sends his love. He asks when we can go and visit with Grandpa Trump and why we can't come to Hawaii. Bruce couldn't get down town last week during the right hours but he will go down first thing Thursday morning and you should receive the lab coat the end of the week.
Don't work too hard and do write if you get a minute. I will be better now the kids are in school and things are getting a bit organized around her (sic).
Love,
All of us
It was so good to hear from you and I really didn't realize that it has been a month since I had written. The weeks go so fast there are so many thing I want to get done and have to get done. Peaches are on this coming week and I still haven't finished the girls school dresses and I want to make me a new dress for the fall tea (the Medical wives tea) and i just can't seem to to everything. Sometimes I think I should drop everything and just take care of family and then I think I need the diversion. It is fun to do a lot of things but I wish I could finish more of them. I keep thinking of things to tell you and I guess I think of them so much I figure I have already told you. I thought I told you Bruce bought two sport shirts up to the Veteran's Hospital PX with the $5.00 you sent and how much he has enjoyed them. He will write soon. He has been so busy. Tonight he is starting another job and this will continue through the rest of the year. It is working at the LDS hospital in the delivery room and examining the girls who are having babies. It will be every fourth night from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. It will mean about $100 a month and every little bit helps. His job in neurology is finished next Thursday and he is going into the hospital for another liver biopsy a week from tomorrow (Sept. 11) and he will be there three days. He has been a little better this past week but it is important that they find out if his liver is healing or if it is the same or getting worse. If it is what the last biopsy indicated it is quite serious and it is worth it to us to find out for sure. (it is too complicated for me to describe and I don't particularly understand it anyway) He will still be working on this other job down to the County Hospital 2-3 hours an evening until about the 22nd of Sept. He starts registering the 18th and starts school the 25th. He is really looking forward to this year and so am I. He really enjoys medicine and it is certainly well worth it.
I have been wanting to tell you for so long how much we enjoy our Japanese doll. I put her away every so often because this place is so dusty that I don't want her to get really dirty but then when we get her out it is just like the extra "something" in our apartment. We went to the home of one of the foremost doctors in his field in the world and they have been all over the world He had two of the dolls and ours is every bit as pretty. In fact I thought prettier
I do wish you could have seen the children on their first day of school. The first day we registered and I took the three children down and Jeanne and Jayne were so thrilled. Jayne is the room Roark was last year. Jeanne is in another and there is only one other girls (sic) she knows but she is getting along just fine. The teacher said we could separate them and if they are too unhappy or don't adjust too well we could put them together. They seem to be quite happy although it is quite an adjustment for both of them and they are prone to tears a little more often than they were. That will all pass I know. Bruce is the same every time he starts a new quarter of a new service (like medicine, surgery, pediatrics, etc). He doesn't cry but he is touchy. Roark is thrilled with the first grade he goes until 3 p.m. He takes his lunch and has a lunch pail and a thermos and thinks he is pretty snazzy. The first real day of school was Brett's birthday and we made sugar cookies but cut them in the shape of gingerbread men and so Stacey, Brett, and I made them while the other children were at school. Brett still has his $3 and is thinking of all kinds of things to get with them He was so cute on his birthday. Auntie bought him a farm truck with a horse trailer and two small horses. With the money the Nevilles gave him we bought him another suitcase for his animals and treasures (he had worn out his other one and it was getting too small) and a tractor. He got a Lone Ranger sweat shirt and shirts and socks etc., etc., and it was really fun. I am looking forward to this winter with just the three smaller children. Brett really needs some extra loving. He is such a wild Indian he is hard to be nice to sometimes. He causes most of the trouble and quarelling in the household and so the kids blame things onto him even when he isn't responsible. He is such a little sweet heart when he wants to be. Stacey is so lovable and talking so cute and she is just a fun girl to have around. She is so stubborn sometimes she is unbearable but we really enjoy her. Shelley is getting so fun. Stacey loves to feed her and the other day she gave her a chocolate chip cookie. Shelley will be sitting up by herself soon, I think, and is picking up things and changing them from hand to hand. She lost most of her hair and it is coming in very slowly. She is such a happy baby and will be crawling in a couple of weeks. She really isn't a vert fast baby and I am glad. We have so enjoyed her and Roark is asking for twin boys next year.
Uncle Pert died last Thursday and the funeral was yesterday. It was very nice and he died of a heart attack while at Catherines (sic). he is taking it very hard but Norah seems to be doing nicely. For some reason those two girls jut seem to have very little to do with each other. Even at the funeral they didn't sit together and at the mortuary they hardly spoke. Merrill Holbrook and Horace Beesely spoke at the funeral and it was really very nice. Aunt Lucille came up from California and it was good to her again. Uncle La Mont has such a good wit. His death isn't as if if were so tragic as he has been ill for so long and everyone seemed to be enjoying them selves to see one another. After the funeral we went down to the Nelsons, Aunt Mary's parents. Auntie went with us and she will write and fill you in on who was there. Dora Trowbridge and Ruby Smedley and asked when you people will be coming home. I hope you make it in a year. I know better than to count on it but it would be nice. Many others asked about you and I don't really think I hear enough from you to tell them much. The children were thrilled with their cards. The love to get anything in the mail. Every day Raork ( can't spell his name on the typewriter) asks if he got any mail and he so seldom does I dot know why he asks but he always does. Uncle John and Aunt Sadie are moving down just through the block from Dean and Dot. Dean an Dot were going to Fish Lake over the long weekend so they weren't there and Keith and Bettie had to work but Keith did go to the mortuary Friday night and stayed most of the time. I don't know if Dean made it or not. He was going to try. We were on our way up to Ogden to see Maureen so we didn't stay too long.
Maxine would love a muu muu for her birthday. I haven't seen Aunt Lyda since she came from Wyoming but she called. Auntie is up there for the weekend. Auntie is on the go all the time. We have so appreciated her and the help she gives me with the children. She is getting a lot of self confidence and will go ahead and do things she never used to. I am hoping we will be interning at the LDS or at the Dee in Ogden but we don't know and Bruce isn't sure just where he wants too. It is up to him of course, but I do hope we stay around here. I would like to be in SL because it will be closer to home and interning is really rough as far as having him home very much. Auntie said Barbara stopped in and visited with her for a few minutes (she probably told you)and how pretty she is and what a sweet girl. I would like to see her. It was so good being in Bountiful again.
I go on and on and probably forgotten half of the things I was going to tell you. Thanks again for the money and Brett sends his love. He asks when we can go and visit with Grandpa Trump and why we can't come to Hawaii. Bruce couldn't get down town last week during the right hours but he will go down first thing Thursday morning and you should receive the lab coat the end of the week.
Don't work too hard and do write if you get a minute. I will be better now the kids are in school and things are getting a bit organized around her (sic).
Love,
All of us
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Mom's Letter to Grandma and Grandpa: August 20, 1961
August 20, 1961
Dear Folks,
It was so good to hear from you. I wish you could write every day and that I could too. I think of so many things to tell you and I have such a hard time getting to it. Here are some pictures of all of us. I look awful but maybe that is the real me.
We think we have a sweet family altho they do get through to me once in a while. We took all six of them fishing last Wednesday and it was hectic but fun. Shelley is such a good baby and she is easy to take. Auntie is in Wyoming and we don’t like to leave them with anyone else. Each week at family night the kids get a chance to decide “place to go”, book to read, dessert to have, and dinner to have. Brett chose the part but Bruce came home so excited about fishing that we talked him into going fishing instead of the park and took them to the park yesterday. We have had a fun summer and it is is so busy. I finished (almost) a dress for Jeanne and I have one cut out and ready to sew for Jayne. Mother and Dad Neville came down tonight and brought the twins each a school dress and me two pairs of nylon garments. I really appreciate that. I was just about garmentless except for the pair Auntie bought me and then I have been wearing nylon ones you gave me and they are just huge on me and they keep tearing out. Mother and Dad are so good to us and we do appreciate it. I’m sure this will be Mother’s last year teaching school. She just gets too tired. How are you people doing? Are you still working hard and steadily. I wonder if the blessing you had when you went the first time about the family at home being taken care of still holds over. Bruce isn’t any better and I do with he could get well. It is hard on him to just not feel well most of the time. I think I told you he is working 203 hours a night down at the County Hospital and that is a lot of hours a day. Other than that we are all well and getting excited about Brett’s birthday and school. It doesn’t seem possible that the twins will be starting school. They are really looking forward to it and in a lot of ways are more prepared than Roark was. Roark gave the 2 ½ min talk in church last week and he told the Joseph Smith story. He did it so well and I was so proud of him. He is getting old enough to enjoy now and to teach a little. He loves the record of “The King and I” and today we were listening to the William Tell Overture and we got out our book told him the story of William Tell who shot the apple of his son’s head. He has a quick mind and likes to learn.
I spent the day with Jeannette Friday and Tuesday many, many girls are getting together to plan our 10 year class reunion and Wednesday Maurine and Carma are coming to spend the afternoon. Maurine has 2 boys and a girl and expects another baby in October. Carma has 3 girls and a boy (I think). I enjoy those girls and I’m glad they will come and see me. I find it too difficult to go many places by myself but I enjoy having the kids come here. I wish you could see Stacey. Dad, you would just love her. He is the cutest little kid. Her hair is still so blond and she is talking so cute. She loves to dance and hums along with the records. She mimics me far more than the twins ever did and will play with her doll for long periods of time. I will be so glad when we have more room for the children. Dad, it was so good to have a letter from you. I wish you could write more often. You give me so much information mother forgets about. I’m really thrilled with your weight. I hope you get down to at least 200 lbs. We’re certainly disappointed you won’t be home for Bruce’s graduation but that is really quite insignificant compared to what you are doing – the actual exercises of graduation, not what it actually means to us. We are so proud of you and our only regret is that we can’t be closer. Isn’t it wonderful to think in terms of eternity and to think we can know each other then. I don’t think I’ve told you for a while how much I love you and how much I do appreciate you. It has been a great blessing to be your daughter and I am proud of it.
Take care of yourselves and write when you can. I keep hoping when school starts I’ll have more time but I doubt it. We love you and will be so glad when you’re home.
Love, All of us.
On back of the typed letter, Mom hand writes the following:
Bruce will check on the coat for David and have it sent to you as soon as he can.
Bruce checked this morning before work. A cotton twill (like his pants) will be $5.00 and a beautiful dacron-cotton is $12.75. The cotton twill is a lot harder to iron, etc. The price difference is so great we didn’t know which to get. Send right back and we will do what you want. Bruce says they are nice jackets. Love Me
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Mom's letter to Grandma and Grandpa Trump: July 17,1961
July 17, 1961
Dear Folks
I’ll be you think I have forgotten you. I haven’t but things have been so busy and I
just can’t seem to get going. I wrote to
David but that is just about the only letter I have written in a long
time. Bruce spent four days in the
hospital but we still haven’t found out the result of his tests. He is feeling fine and really is enjoying his
work in neurology. He isn’t too busy and
it seems so good to have him home and not wrapped up in medicine so much he
can’t talk of anything else. He is also
getting a job of working as a lab technician at the County Hospital for just a
couple of hours a day. It will just last
until school starts and it will pay the rest so that we will be a big help as
our rent has been increased by $10.00. It went from $35.00 to $45. We have had really hot weather and I
surely appreciate your cooler. I don’t
know what I would do without it. It
makes a difference of 10-15 degrees in our living room and when it is up to 100
degrees and above that makes quite a difference. I put up a case of strawberries and am
getting two lugs of apricots Thursday to make fresh jam. I am trying to get a small supply of food but
it is really hard as we just plain don’t have the room. We are very fortunate this summer as Bruce
has two good jobs and we will be able to save a little and get some of the
things we have gone without. I bought
Jeanne and Jayne some material for a jumper and some for a dress with their
birthday money. I can’t even remember if
I thanked you for it. They were so thrilled to get a letter from you and the
money was really a treat. They really
need a lot of things to start school and their birthday money is ideal and they
love to spend money as much as I do.
Auntie gave them darling little patent leather purses and white gloves
and they think it is great to their money in it. I don’t let them do this for any length of
time as they might lose it, but they are growing up to be sweet young
girls. I took Jayne to the doctor a week
ago for her pre-school examination and it was such fun to take her all by
herself. She is really a sweet little
girl and tries so hard to please. Here
are a couple of pictures I think are just darling. I had them taken just before their fifth
birthday and I think they look just like them.
Jayne’s sweater is red and Jeanne’s is blue. It doesn’t seem possible that they will be
starting school this fall. I never
thought they would be ready but they are as smart and much more mature than
most of the five year olds in the neighborhood.
Jeanne is much more friendly than Jayne and sometimes Jayne feels left
out because she just doesn’t want to play with the same kids Jeanne is playing
with. She is actually easier to get
along with than Jeanne but Jeanne is friendlier. Stacey is the cutest little thing. Auntie says she is a lot like I used to
be. I can’t imagine my being that cute
as she is such fun. She is a little
actress and loves to dance and ham it up.
Her hair is still right blond and she has slimmed down a lot since last
year. Shelley gets more fun all the
time. She is turning herself over from
tummy to back and is really growing up.
Her hair is coming out a lot but she still has quite a bit. Maybe we’ll break down and take some
pictures.
It is now the 21st of July and I am having the
hardest time getting this letter written.
I painted Roark’s bike yesterday and ironed for several hours and today
I have two lugs of apricots to put up, two batches of brownies to make and we
are going up to the Nevilles for an open house for Joe and Evelyn. That’s what the brownies are for. I just can’t seem to get all there is to do
finished. No, I am not pregnant but I’m
surely slow. Brett will be 4 soon and
the first day of Winter Primary comes on his birthday and he is so
thrilled. He is still our wild indian
and quite hard to handle. He is getting
tall and slimmer but is still built bigger than Roark. Roark is still our skinny little boy, much
smaller than most kids his age. It
doesn’t bother him as he can hold his own in ball, croquet and especially
checkers. He is on a rock collecting
binge now and he can hardly sleep he has so much stuff on his bunk. A neighbor is a geology major and he tells
him what these rocks are and it is an education for us all. I must get rolling on my apricots and I have
some clothes to hang out etc, etc.
We love you and I will try to write more. I have been trying to keep David posted. Maxine is pregnant and quite sick and Bob
didn’t pass the Wyoming bar, but they are investigating it because others
didn’t pass who are supposed to be the tops in the Wyoming law school. They are very discouraged. The problem is Bob is a poor writer and he
can’t express himself on paper. On 20 of
the 40 questions the examiners just said they couldn’t make it out so they
didn’t try. I really admire them for
trying and for going away and doing it on their own. Bob is on construction now and they have to
live in Wyoming for six months before he should even take the bar and he
thought he had someone pulling strings for him but evidently the big judge
didn’t go along with it. (Bob bought his
license plates in Wyoming as a resident in January which would make it the six
months. It was suggested by another
lawyer.) Even if he had passed he
wouldn’t have been able to practice and would have to take it again in January
so that is what he will do. Problems,
problems, and I feel so fortunate. Oh,
yes when we intern may we use the twin bed I had and that is up to Aunt
Lyda’s. Stacey is still in a crib and by
that time she is 3 ½. I would like to
have her in a bed.
The Russell Tanners who are at the temple with you are
good friends of Mother and Dad Neville.
You still haven’t mentioned the Mitchell’s. Are you well and how are things coming. Dick and Shirley came up a week ago and
brought Shelley a darling little outfit.
Dean and Dot also came up the same day and brought her a little
outfit. It is so nice to have
family. I spent an hour talked to Stella
on the phone and they are all well. I
just can’t go on and on. I have so much
to do I need a little black boy to help me.*
The children are good and they do dishes but unfortunately they can’t
iron nor put up apricots ----- yet.
We love you and do take care of yourselves. How is your throat, Dad. Are you all better now. Please don’t work so hard you get run down.
Love, All of us.
Notes from Shelley, who transcribed this letter.
*Mom's aunt, Auntie used to say this a lot, it is not now politically correct, but it was the 60s and civil rights were just starting.
Lyda Burton is Aunt Maxine’s mother. Dean and Dot Hillare Mom’s brother and
sister-in-law. Dick and Shirley Trump are
Grandpa Trump’s son and daughter-in-law.
Stella Trump is Grandpa Trump’s daughter-in-law. Mom can’t remember who the Mitchell’s are.
Note from Shelley:
Mom made lots of apricot jam. I
remember helping her when we lived in Clearfield.
From Jeanne: Apricot Jam is the first jam I learned to make myself. Before food processors mom used a food grinder that would grind the apricots into a pulp. We liked to do apricots because we didn't have to peel or chop them. Just pit them and grind away. It was slightly mesmerizing to watch the pulp ooze out of the grinder.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Mom's Letter: May 11, 1961
May 11
Dear Mother,
Happy Mother’s Day. I wonder if you’ll be here next mothers day. I surely hope so. I miss you people more the longer you are gone. There are so many things I would like to talk to you about, and show you, and ask you. Bruce hasn’t been home for me to get to a store so please excuse it if your gift is late. We do love you so and appreciate you. You know, I remember all those 12¢ bottles of perfume I bought you and how thrilled you were with them and those cheap hankies and I really admire you for your ability to be thrilled no matter what. You even used them too. I know it isn’t the money that counts but I will be glad when I can buy something because I like it regardless of the price. I understand the things you did and the things you said more all the time. I find myself saying them to the children. The twins are such pretty little girls and I find myself telling them they must act “pretty” too or it doesn’t matter and that they should be glad they have dishes to wipe. I’m afraid that by the time you get home we will be just about ready to leave. Bruce only has about 6 weeks left of school this year and then just one more year. He so enjoys school and I’m sure he will be such a fine physician. When I spell that word I think of what one of the fellows jokingly said, “Just think, three years ago I couldn’t even spell physician, and now I are one”. We’ve been pretty busy around here. I made divinity for the Medical Wives last meeting and I made 160 pieces. It was really good but kept me busy for a while. I was elected president of the Med Wives Literary club and I was asked to be Teacher’s trainer in Primary. It seems as if I iron constantly but I do goof off a lot. Jeanne was sick with a high fever last week but she is well now. Bruce gave her four shots and it just about killed him. He just hated to give her a shot and Jeanne just hated to have him. Aunt Lyda and Auntie came up a week ago Tuesday and spent the day with me. I have really learned to love and appreciate Auntie. She has been so good to us and she expects so little in return. She and Aunt Lyda and Roark went to Wyoming over the weekend - from early Sunday until last night - Wed. - and I missed both of them so much. I didn’t realize how much this household revolves around Roark. He is so sure of what he wants and it usually sounds like the best in the world to the other children so they go along with him. The other kids really missed him too but would have liked to have gone with him. Scot's birthday was the 8th and Aunt Lyda wanted to be there for that. Roark had such a good time. Maxine and Bob are awfully good to him and he is right at home there. They are coming along just fine and are going to move into a home (renting) in a few days. I have missed Maxine and it sounds so exciting to be settled in what will be your life’s work
.
Dear Mother,
Happy Mother’s Day. I wonder if you’ll be here next mothers day. I surely hope so. I miss you people more the longer you are gone. There are so many things I would like to talk to you about, and show you, and ask you. Bruce hasn’t been home for me to get to a store so please excuse it if your gift is late. We do love you so and appreciate you. You know, I remember all those 12¢ bottles of perfume I bought you and how thrilled you were with them and those cheap hankies and I really admire you for your ability to be thrilled no matter what. You even used them too. I know it isn’t the money that counts but I will be glad when I can buy something because I like it regardless of the price. I understand the things you did and the things you said more all the time. I find myself saying them to the children. The twins are such pretty little girls and I find myself telling them they must act “pretty” too or it doesn’t matter and that they should be glad they have dishes to wipe. I’m afraid that by the time you get home we will be just about ready to leave. Bruce only has about 6 weeks left of school this year and then just one more year. He so enjoys school and I’m sure he will be such a fine physician. When I spell that word I think of what one of the fellows jokingly said, “Just think, three years ago I couldn’t even spell physician, and now I are one”. We’ve been pretty busy around here. I made divinity for the Medical Wives last meeting and I made 160 pieces. It was really good but kept me busy for a while. I was elected president of the Med Wives Literary club and I was asked to be Teacher’s trainer in Primary. It seems as if I iron constantly but I do goof off a lot. Jeanne was sick with a high fever last week but she is well now. Bruce gave her four shots and it just about killed him. He just hated to give her a shot and Jeanne just hated to have him. Aunt Lyda and Auntie came up a week ago Tuesday and spent the day with me. I have really learned to love and appreciate Auntie. She has been so good to us and she expects so little in return. She and Aunt Lyda and Roark went to Wyoming over the weekend - from early Sunday until last night - Wed. - and I missed both of them so much. I didn’t realize how much this household revolves around Roark. He is so sure of what he wants and it usually sounds like the best in the world to the other children so they go along with him. The other kids really missed him too but would have liked to have gone with him. Scot's birthday was the 8th and Aunt Lyda wanted to be there for that. Roark had such a good time. Maxine and Bob are awfully good to him and he is right at home there. They are coming along just fine and are going to move into a home (renting) in a few days. I have missed Maxine and it sounds so exciting to be settled in what will be your life’s work
Just think, Sunday we will have been married seven years. They have been such a wonderful seven years and I love Bruce more now that I thought possible. He is so thoughtful and considerate of me. He calls and lets me know if he will be late and he tries to get home if he possibly can. So many of the husbands are not like that. He really isn’t here too much to help me but he does help when he can. The children just love him and are as anxious as I for school to be out. Jeanne asked the other day when we could do something and Brett quite impatiently told her “not until Daddy’s out of school”. When Bruce is home he does play with the children and enjoy them tho. I don’t feel as if we’ve missed anything by Bruces being in medical school. I got a kick out of Jeannie. After Bruce had given her four shots she would stay in bed until after Bruce had left and then get up with a smile and say “Daddy can’t give me a shot now, can he”. She would never mention it while he was here, she would wait until he had left. Bruce and I are feeling well and trying to lose some weight. I would like to lose about 15 lbs. and Bruce should lose about 25 lbs. Shelley is fussing and I think it’s the applesauce I have her this morning. Please write and tell us how you are. Leone said you weren’t well and I have wondered just what she meant by that. Please tell us how you are. When do you think you’ll be home? Should I get David’s shoes or not. Take care of yourselves and have a nice mother’s day. We love you and I am more thankful all the time that you belong to me forever and ever.
Love, Bruce, Beth Ann etc.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Mom's Letter: April 23, 1961
April 23, 1961
Dear Mother and Dad,
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| I think this is Easter 1961 |
We received your letter today and it was so good to hear from you. I have been going to write all week and I wrote to David and I just keep putting it off to do something else. Bruce just got home from the hospital. I was going to go to Relief Society tonight for the first time and he called and said he would be late. He still enjoys it very much and is feeling much better than he has in a long time. I feel great and we are all well except we think Jayne has infectious mononucleosis. She seems to be getting a little better but she was always so tired and had no appetite. She is picking up a little and is getting back to the good natured Jayne we usually have. Shelley is still the cutest little thing. She is smiling a little now and it is so precious. She doesn’t seem to have lost any of her hair and it is still quite dark. She is the first one of the children who have had long, dark eyelashes and also she has quite a dark browline. The neighbor said today that Shelley looks just like Bruce. She is sleeping 6-8 hours a night now and that is nice. The other children are getting better adjusted but Brett and Stacey are still fussy and ornery. Stacey had her hair cut today and it is really short. She is so good when this girl next store cuts it (she is a beautician) but when I try she won’t sit still for a minute. She is still very fair with pretty pink cheeks. She has been in corrective shoes since she started to walk and we decided we would try her in canvas shoes and some pretty little patent leather shoes and she is so thrilled with them. She will take them off and try on the other pair every little while. I’ll be glad when every member of the family learns to tie their shoes and tie them will.
Bob and Maxine left last Friday and got to Glenrock at about 5 in the evening. Bob still doesn’t have a job as he can’t practice law until he passes the bar in Wyoming so he is looking for a job. They have rented an apartment in a duplex and are all ready to settle down and make some money. I miss them all ready and the children really miss Scot and Julie. Aunt Lyda called told me that Maxine had called and what she had to say. We hope to go up this summer some time.
I was so thrilled with the blanket. I really like the soft yarn on it and it looks so soft and dainty. She is a very feminine little baby and I love to see her look nice. I finally got Stacey a little summer outfit with her birthday money. I just put it away until the summer things came in and it is so cute. Auntie bought Shelley a darling little white nylon dress for Shelley to be blessed in the day she came home from the hospital. She also bought her some little shoes and a bonnet but they were actually too small by the time we had her blessed. She was only five weeks old but they were too small on her so Auntie took them back. Her little dress is even cuter than the one Stacey had. She has some awfully cute little outfits but I haven’t dressed her much because it has been too cold and I worry about her so much. This weather is messy. We had a good frost as usual and it froze most of the fruit crop but now it is warming up. I sold the twin stroller and am going to get a new one for Shelley. The one we had for Roark and Brett and Stacey is just about shot. We are looking forward to this summer as it will be the last one before he will be busy all the time. He is through school the 30th of June and we hope to go to Wyoming about then and then come home the 4th of July so he can start work the 5th.
How are you people feeling. Are you both well? How is the school coming? Can you give and estimation of when you’ll be home. Do you know the Mitchells. I just love their daughter. She is living in their home while they’re gone and I would just love to see her and visit with her. Please take care of yourselves and don’t work too hard. I have been quite worried about you these past few days for some reason so please take care.
Love,
Note: We always called Uncle Bob and Aunt Maxine's family "Scot and Julie," even into our teens.
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Mom's Letter: April 6, 1961
April, 6
Dear Mother and Dad,
I just finished baking some about 8 doz. cookies and I wish you were here to help me eat them. I'm not eating them as I still have lots of weight to lose but I think the children feel I have forgotten how to bake. I'm really sorry I haven't written more. Last week Bruce was home all week and in bed with a severe cold for most of it. I made the girls their Easter dresses and that kept me busy and then a couple of weeks ago I made me one so I have really been on the go. The twins dresses really turned out cute. I wish you could see them. We had Shelley blessed Sunday and I did so miss you. She is cute and we do so enjoy her. She is gaining so fast but she is still very anemic. She has now the blood count that the twins had when they came home from the hospital but she is a good baby and is developing so quickly.
The children enjoy her so much. As soon as she starts to fuss Stacey will tell me "baby cry - rock?" which means, Mother the baby is crying, shall I rock her for you. She will rock the bassinette back and forth for me until I get her something to eat. Brett is such a little hellion. All of the children, of course, have a period of adjustment after a new baby and it is always easier after that period is over but it has been remarkably easy this time. Maybe it just gets easier as you have more. I felt highly complimented the other day. A couple of the girls in the neighborhood came over to see Shelley and they are about 8 years old. I was playing with Brett and Stacey and this one girl said "you really enjoy your children, don't you?" I thought that was really cute for her to have observed and decided that. Bruce gave Shelley a beautiful blessing and I do wish you had been here to stand in the circle with him. She looked so cute and then just after the meeting the family came up and had something to eat with us. Just as we were getting things ready, Bob and Stella came up and brought us a dozen cupcakes. She is the cutest thing and we surely love and appreciate them. It seems so good to feel as if I feel energetic enough to try and do all these things. I felt quite good during my pregnancy, but I just did't have the vim, vigor or vitality to do very much. I am really feeling good.
Thank you so much for the darling little dress. It is so cute and I was so thrilled with the nightgown. I had only four and that day all of them were dirty and I hadn't given her a bath yet and I was going to have to wash them and get them dry before I could bathe her. It came right at the right time. and she looks very sweet in the things. She hasn't lost any of her hair yet, but it is getting a little lighter. It curls tightly when it's wet just like Roark's used to and then when it gets dry it straightens out and stands out. She has little bright eyes and a really cute little pug nose. She seems to be an active baby like Roark was, waving her arms and kicking her little legs most of the time. She is trying to smile now and to goo a little but she hasn't quite made it entirely. We play like she talks to the children and they get such a kick out of that.
We have had such beautiful weather the last few days altho it is still a little brisk We still haven't had enough water and it is supposed to be a dry summer.
I am so sleepy I will close and lie down for a little while. This getting up one or two time a night is getting through to me. No, it really isn't. Today is the first time I have needed a rest in weeks and it is just these last few nights that Bruce hasn't taken turns with me. He doesn't feel too well and he is so busy in school. I do love him so and I wish he would get better. Maybe I just don't have enough faith. Please write when you can. I do so enjoy your letters and I will try to write once a week now as I am back to normal with my sewing done and Bruce back in school.
Love,
Beth & Bruce etc.
Dear Mother and Dad,
I just finished baking some about 8 doz. cookies and I wish you were here to help me eat them. I'm not eating them as I still have lots of weight to lose but I think the children feel I have forgotten how to bake. I'm really sorry I haven't written more. Last week Bruce was home all week and in bed with a severe cold for most of it. I made the girls their Easter dresses and that kept me busy and then a couple of weeks ago I made me one so I have really been on the go. The twins dresses really turned out cute. I wish you could see them. We had Shelley blessed Sunday and I did so miss you. She is cute and we do so enjoy her. She is gaining so fast but she is still very anemic. She has now the blood count that the twins had when they came home from the hospital but she is a good baby and is developing so quickly.
The children enjoy her so much. As soon as she starts to fuss Stacey will tell me "baby cry - rock?" which means, Mother the baby is crying, shall I rock her for you. She will rock the bassinette back and forth for me until I get her something to eat. Brett is such a little hellion. All of the children, of course, have a period of adjustment after a new baby and it is always easier after that period is over but it has been remarkably easy this time. Maybe it just gets easier as you have more. I felt highly complimented the other day. A couple of the girls in the neighborhood came over to see Shelley and they are about 8 years old. I was playing with Brett and Stacey and this one girl said "you really enjoy your children, don't you?" I thought that was really cute for her to have observed and decided that. Bruce gave Shelley a beautiful blessing and I do wish you had been here to stand in the circle with him. She looked so cute and then just after the meeting the family came up and had something to eat with us. Just as we were getting things ready, Bob and Stella came up and brought us a dozen cupcakes. She is the cutest thing and we surely love and appreciate them. It seems so good to feel as if I feel energetic enough to try and do all these things. I felt quite good during my pregnancy, but I just did't have the vim, vigor or vitality to do very much. I am really feeling good.
Thank you so much for the darling little dress. It is so cute and I was so thrilled with the nightgown. I had only four and that day all of them were dirty and I hadn't given her a bath yet and I was going to have to wash them and get them dry before I could bathe her. It came right at the right time. and she looks very sweet in the things. She hasn't lost any of her hair yet, but it is getting a little lighter. It curls tightly when it's wet just like Roark's used to and then when it gets dry it straightens out and stands out. She has little bright eyes and a really cute little pug nose. She seems to be an active baby like Roark was, waving her arms and kicking her little legs most of the time. She is trying to smile now and to goo a little but she hasn't quite made it entirely. We play like she talks to the children and they get such a kick out of that.
We have had such beautiful weather the last few days altho it is still a little brisk We still haven't had enough water and it is supposed to be a dry summer.
I am so sleepy I will close and lie down for a little while. This getting up one or two time a night is getting through to me. No, it really isn't. Today is the first time I have needed a rest in weeks and it is just these last few nights that Bruce hasn't taken turns with me. He doesn't feel too well and he is so busy in school. I do love him so and I wish he would get better. Maybe I just don't have enough faith. Please write when you can. I do so enjoy your letters and I will try to write once a week now as I am back to normal with my sewing done and Bruce back in school.
Love,
Beth & Bruce etc.
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