Feb. 13, 1938.
My very dear son,
Who is so very far away from us, and I’d give a week’s rations
to see him.
We received your very welcome letter yesterday written Jan.
11. First since Jan. 16.Oh my dear, were we shocked to hear you had had so few
letters from us. Do you know, I think It is three times we have missed writing
to you in the week since last Oct. Whatever can be the matter. And I oftimes
wrote when it was a real effort. It made me sick at heart when I read your
letter. Don’t think we don’t think of you, & I have missed but one week
since Helen left. And you don’t mention your father’s letters and have you got
the letters I have sent since you got down there. Oh, dear, if you haven’t.
Bob Wamsley arrives home tomorrow. I shall be so happy when
you are headed this way. Of course I wouldn’t hurry your time. I know you are
enjoying it.
I just cant think what to say, there are so many things I
thot you knew. Helen has been patiently waiting for a letter and she thinks her
brother is pretty slow. She is a grand girl. Winnie is coming home next Fri for
the weekend I am so happy. I get so homesick to see one of my three wanderers
from home & I’ll be so glad next fall when two are home for a little bit.
You will be delighted with the church, when you come home.
It is so beautiful. Hope you got the picture of the Amusement Hall.
Here it is the next morning. Stopped last night to go down
to the Dr’s. with daddy. Stayed & talked so long. I was sleepy when I came
home.
The Dr. is a very nice man, and very well informed on
current events.
The town is full of mumps and we thot surely Flora had it,
but I guess not.
Did Daddy tell you Helen Jackson married Keith Wamsley. That
was a shock. There really isn’t much news from here. Life runs along quite
smoothly.
Hope you like your new place of labor, and also your work. I
thot you would go down by boat. Tell us what they do for a living down there.
It isn’t a[s] tropical a climate is it as it was up at Jargua. Why have ranches
in a place where so much could be raised? Lack of water? Tell us about it.
California has been having some bad weather. Wind, rain &
an earth quake around Frisco. Helen’s health is so much better down there. She
has gained 10 lbs. And has no asthma.
Well dearie, I must get this off this morning so think I
better be closing. Oh, I have learned half of the Sermon on the Mount. Rather
slow I am, but I have a lesson to give tomorrow in R.S. [Relief Society] & I am reading the
New Testament, so I keep busy. Have just read “As a Man Thinketh.” It is fine,
but I wouldn’t dare send one to you. Never know when you are going to get anything from us. I should like
all my boys to have that book.
Must get Maeser up to send this off. Will register it. Those
other letters I mailed to 264. Hope you got them.
Well, love & kisses from all of us, and may the Lord
continue to bless you in your labors.
Lovingly, Mother
Note: "As a Man Thinketh" is a literary essay by James
Allen, first published in 1902. In more than a century it has become an
inspirational classic, selling millions of copies worldwide and bringing faith,
inspiration, and self healing to all who have encountered it. The title comes
from the Bible: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." --
Proverbs, chapter 23, verse 7
I certainly enjoyed reading this. Thanks for the additional info on the book Grandma was reading. Helen Jackson and Kieth Wamsley lived in Randolph the rest of their lives. Helen was from Randolph and Kieth was from Garden City. Helen was a mentor to many of the youth of Rich County for many years as the 4-H Extension Leader. She was also my Young Women's leader. She helped me gain self confidence and financial support in college. Good people.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that with us Flora Lee.
ReplyDeleteWhen our grandmother told her son about Helen Jackson and Kieth Wamsley's marriage and added, "here really isn't much news from here" little did she realize how news worthy that union was. They stayed and built up Randolph! "Good people." That one woman influenced many lives for good; particularly her own granddaughter.