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.
There are no letters from my grandmother during the summer of 1959 so I’m sort of flitting around in the archival material of letters and cards that I do have – and there are plenty.
I had a lot of strange feelings about this 1957 letter from my father to my mother. In it he professes his great love, which while nicely expressed in the letter, didn’t exactly play itself out during their marriage. Daddy was not a good husband or a father, but if you were willing to play it his way (and my mother was during the second act of their marriage sans kids) you could get along pretty well I guess. But he was not really willing to give of himself apparently unless there was something in it for him, which in the last years of his life is what left the doors open to my EFC.
JMJ
July 25, 1957
My Dearest Maryrose (Chata)
I am very glad you enjoyed your trip. I also expect to visit the Grand Canyon with you some day. How’s your mother now? I hope she gets well soon. I sure like her very much (and all your folks.)
My grandmother and my father came to hate each other viciously. Sometimes when I type these letters I’m amazed at how gentle and loving they sound, because it certainly didn’t end up that way!
Sweetheart, isn’t there any possibility of you coming to teach in Santa Fe this year? I was told that you could very easily get a job of music teacher in the city system. Job pays around $4000 a year. That way we can be together very often. In fact, you can get a job here any place, but I rather have you in Santa Fe or Espanola.
What day were you in Carlsbad Caverns? What place of all did you like the most? What did you think of Nutrias? and also of Santa Fe? I think you could very easily get use to it here.
It has been raining very often out here. In fact it’s raining right now. I have spent most of my time plowing and planting rye. Two days ago I went over to the summer range to take four horses, and two days before I took four calves. Yes I have been very busy.
My Dearest, I love you very much. You are always on my mind. I pray for you every day. If god wants us together, I hope that we both will be very happy. I wish I could be with you all the time, both night and day. Yes, Chata, I love you very much. Mother and sister liked you very much.
Sister would one day lock her out of the music room at the ranch and kick her dog hard in the gut. She also cut my father out of her will when my parents reconciled in the 1990s. So I don’t think she liked her that much!
The Santa Fe fiestas are September 1-2 and I wish you could come then also. Please dear, come and teach this year in Santa Fe.
No I have not taken anybody to El Siroco. The next one I take will be you again some day. I am praying for the day when you will be mine forever.
Maryrose please have a special devotion to St. Joseph. It’s on account of St. Joseph that you are still my girl. And by all means the Sacred Heart and Our Blessed Mother.
God Love you,all my lovete amo
Pete
Please browse my eBay items! Visit my new Amazon Store!