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. Others in the series are in my del.icio.us file. Grandma didn’t write any letters for the rest of 1958, at least not that I have. We know that my mom came up to visit for that Christmas so there was no need for letters.
So instead, this week, I am posting a letter written to my mom from her only sibling and brother, Calvin Jr. There is no date on the letter but I am guessing that this was written in August or September 1958, after my mother married and took the long trip out to New Mexico.
JMJHi Sis,
And how is my big brother? Sure glad you had a good trip. I would imagine its tiresome enough riding far without having trouble too.
How’s Maryrose behaving Pete? What have you been doing since you got back? Just been busing getting settled till now I’ll bet. You had so much stuff it’ll take you a week to put it all away.
Got your letter today. I’m more pepped up than ever about making a trip west. I’m hoping Mom and Dad and I can go together like we always planned.
The party turned out real well. Much better than I expected. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Seemed like more girls were here than fellows. But that was alright too. Bet you couldn’t guess what we used for a table – The hay wagon! Langs have got a dandy wagon so we just put paper over it and it worked fine. After supper we cleared it off. I spread hay on it and took them around the mile square a couple of times. There were between 20 and 25 so that made a nice group. If there were any more I would have needed another wagon or made one trip with one group and then the other. But everything worked out very well and all had a nice time.
This weekend I’m going over to Aunt Opal’s and Uncle Paul’s. We’ve always gone over there in the winter before it seemed so this year I decided to go in the fall. I got rained out anyhow, so I might as well go.
Boy last night it poured. There was quite a storm west of us. It uprooted big trees and did a lot of property damage in Paw Paw, Michigan. All is well here though. We just got a lot of rain which we needed anyway.
I’m going out to the Musical Tent net week. “Rose Marie” will be there. I missed the movie so thought I’d go. It will be the last play for the summer too.
I guess Dad is going to take grandma back with Mom. I’m going up to Grandmother’s and while I’m there, sail Lake Michigan with Uncle Ernest. I’ve been wanting to do that so guess I will. Fund Du Lac isn’t too far from where the boat comes in at Wisconsin. Maybe I’ll get to see Father Lux!
Well folks, my hand is getting tired, and I guess your eyes are too. Thanks for the record album you left me sis. There were some things in there I wanted to buy, now I won’t have to. That little record player is pretty nice too. Mom had a nice little table, just right for it. It sits right where the Hi Fi did.
Well I must get to work now. Write when you can and Pete, let us hear from you too. Remember, be the guy that got the house and baby.
Say hello to Stan and his wife, and those folks for me. So long, and God love you.
Calvin
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