May
3, 1942
Dear Mother,
The weeks and months are slipping by, and Sunday will be
Mother’s day again. I am just realizing
that it will be the first Mothers day I have not been able to put my arms
around you and say “Thank You” for giving me the privilege to live. So I am saying it in this letter. We will miss being with you but we want you
to be happy in the thought that we are thinking of you. The principals of the Gospel you taught to
your children are being carried all over the country, and in time possibly the
world.
Daniel writes & tells me not to get homesick, but I
am not homesick. I am happy here: It is
so beautiful, the weather is grand most of the time & I feel so much
better. But I do miss you very
much. I believe that if it were only for
my health that we were sent down here, that it was in answer to our
prayers. I’m getting brown as a berry,
& have actually some color in my cheeks.
We were walking down by the river again this eve., and watched a dog or
more boys swimming. The water really
looks inviting. We can’t realize it is
only May. The flowers are so beautiful.
Do you know yet when you are going to Roland’s? You’ll have to have Helen write & tell us
all that is going on, about you & Royce & Pearl, & everyone else,
if you are busy, and I’m sure you must be.
Hope the housecleaning is all done by now too.
We went down to see our landlady tonight about painting
the kitchens & bath, it is the first time we've had the courage, and she
was as nice as pie, & didn't even question it. It is going to be done right away. It does need it badly, & it may help us
get rid of the ants & roaches too.
The frig is certainly a blessing. I've really never used one all the time before, and I enjoy it so
much. The claim agent was out this
morning, & told me to go ahead & have anyone we want refinish it, and
they would pay the bill.
I went to register for sugar today, & the schools
were so full they wouldn't even let me in.
Told me to come back Wed. or Thurs.
There’s really a lot of people in this town.
Hugh B. Brown has been here for a short time. He was at our picnic Sat. night, & they
turned all the time of fast meeting over to him. He has been made mission pres. of all the
boys in camps all over the country, & there are half a doz. or more camps
here. The people here were very glad to
have him with them for a short time, and were so anxious to hear him
speak. Perhaps you remember that he had
a son lost in the R.A.F.[Royal Air Force] just before I left home.
Harold’s shift has been changed again. I hope this time they are settled. They work from 6:30 AM till 3:00 PM for seven
weeks, and I put up their lunch at night, & they get up & get their own
breakfast in the morning. Alvin has
still been waking at 6:30, but perhaps after a few days will get used to
sleeping longer. After the seven weeks
is up they will work from 3:00 to 11:30 PM.
I want to write to Harold’s mother tonight too, but don’t
know whether I’ll make it. We all send
our love to you,
Laura, Harold and Alvin.
P.S. Alvin can say Grandma.
Harold forgot to take your letter this morning and I just
got one from Sister Carlson. She says
Dad has been in bed for 3 weeks & seems so discouraged. The Dr hasn't given him any encouragement
either, & she says that he cries all the time because he doesn't think he
will see us again.
She said he didn't want us to know that he wasn't well,
but if you see Sister Carlson tell her that we pray for both of them every
day. I know he will get well if he doesn't let his mind dwell on his illness, and will keep it free from worry
about finances. With the war we have all
got to live more simply, and there is no use worrying because we haven’t got
something our neighbor has. I know that
you can give them a word of encouragement much better than I can, perhaps in a
few days I can write another letter to them.
I've been going to tell you that I have some one to do my
washing. Mrs. Shelton who lives just a
block from us, the one who calls for me to go to Relief Society washes them,
& in turn uses my washer & lines to do hers on. I furnish soap one week, & she the
next. She has two boys one 14 & one
17. Her husband is with the army in St.
Louis. She is here now, & is nearly
thru, & it isn't 10. Harold finally
got some good lines put up, so we manage fine.
The only thing is that I haven’t any tubs yet, & have to rinse them
in the bath tub. That is the main reason
I was unable to do the washing myself. I
only tried it once. Today you give your
lesson again, & I know you will give it good. It is women like you they need to give those
lessons.
I wish I had the money to send you for a new suitcase,
but we can’t make it yet. Those people I
thought might bring yours didn't know yet whether they are going or not so I
can’t depend on them.
May the Lord bless you Mother, & may you have a safe
& enjoyable trip to Roland’s.
With Love
Laura
3112
So 7th East
Salt
Lake City
May
4th 42.
Did you read about the
airplain crashing just north of Ensign Peak.
17 persons were killed everything was burned.
My dear Laura,
Just got your letter and am very glad. I was longing to hear from you. I am glad the fridge got there all right.
Where do you keep it? Well Laura things
are moving fast around here that I don’t know where I am at. Royce came here Sat. Forenoon it was Pearl’s
day off so she was glad. They want to be
married on the 14th of May and I will have to leave right after to
go to Burns. I really don’t know yet what they are going to do. Helen & Mont moved down here Thursday
& Friday so with cleaning and moving and thinking of a wedding it seems to
be a little too much. I couldn't sleep last night;. What do you think of it all. I don’t know if Pearl will get her vacation
or not. I think they will go out to the
farm at Taylorsville to stay as Royce will work on the farm until he is called.
He has to report on the 17th of May.
Anyway we will let you know what they are going to do. You were saying you had it so hot down there,
well we could stand a little of it as it is so cold here. I put on the furnace
this morning and my feet are cold now.
It has been real cold for nearly a week.
And rain and hail and snow.
Willard has not been well for a few days. His stomach is troubling him. I hope it isn't appendicitis. I will call and see how he is today. I just called to see how Willard was and Dawn
answered the phone. She said her Daddy
was over at Jack Hardy’s house working, so I guess he is feeling better. I guess he did not feel well enough to go to
work. Helen has gone to town. I am glad that you have nice neighbors. You may do much good there in telling about
the church. Jesse seems to be enjoying
his work, but his companion has not been well so I am wondering how he is. All the neighbors are well as far as I know. I told you about Marjorie Brienholt Nelson
having a baby girl. Sis. Laxman just
called. She wanted me to come for lunch
Wed. but that is my lesson day so I can’t go.
I will have to study my lesson.
We have not changed your R.S. or Era address yet and they have been
coming here. We forget all the
time. I have been once in town since you
left and only been to the ward and no
where else. Helen & Mont wanted to
take me to a show Sat. evening but I didn't go.
I don’t know what I will do for a living now. I have depended on my children for so long
that I have got old without knowing it, and now when I am left in the lurch it
is hard to take. Only the Lord will help
me see some way, even if I have to marry some old codger with lots of money.
I will come down and stay with you when the baby comes,
but not to stay 3 months. I think I can
stand the heat after all this cold. If
only the basement was cleaned I wouldn't worry so much. Do you know your air mail letter wasn't sealed and came open all the way but it was o.k. and the check was o.k. I will get Pearl to pay the Star then they
will all be paid, and I am sure you will be glad. Be careful of your eats and do your walking
and scrubbing but not to much. Love from
us all to Harold & Alvins. We will be glad to get the pictures.
Lovingly, Mother
[Postmarked May 9, 1942]
Mrs. Jane S. Davidson
requests the pleasure of your company at the
wedding reception of her daughter
Pearl
and Mr. Royce S. Bringhurst
Thursday evening, May the fourteenth
nineteen hundred forty-two
eight to ten-thirty
3112 South 7th East, Salt Lake City, Utah
Married in Salt Lake
Temple
3112
So 7th East
Salt
Lake City Ut.
May
17, 42
Will give you more news next
time and do write soon.
Dear Laura and Harold,
I guess you think I have forgotten you but I
haven’t. With the wedding and going to
the temple and getting ready to go to Rolands, I have been on the rush for two
weeks and I am really tired. The wedding
was just like yours everybody seemed happy, and Pearl looked nice in your
dress. We had it cleaned and it looked
like new. She got some lovely
gifts. They will tell you all about them
when they write or maybe I will have to tell you about it when I come. I am leaving for Roland’s tomorrow, will be
there Tuesday so answer my letters there.
Hope you are all fine and still liking it where you are. I haven’t written to any of them since I
wrote to you. Jesse will think he is deserted, poor kid. Do write to him
often. His birthday is on the 29th
so write to him. Thanks a lot for what you sent to help out, also for the candy
for Mother’s day. Ardis Jones Willowby had a little girl yesterday, and are
fine. Now my dear children I won’t write more now. I am rushed and want to do a hundred things
today. I have lots to tell you but won’t
take time now. Harold’s Dad isn't feeling so well. They couldn't come to
the wedding but Jean was here helping serve.
Pearl had her Sunday school kids all here, some helped and some didn't. Now I will close with love to
you & Harold and a big hug for Alvin.
Lovingly, Mother
P.S. Jennette & baby came
down. They go back Wed. they are
fine. Later, I have just been up to see Bro Carlson. He says he is feeling better. Sister Carlson told me she got a bawling out
from sister Van Dam for telling you that I had to hear from Texas that Lillieth
was married, but never mind;. She just
has to jump on someone. J.D.
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