Carlson Christmases from 1943
through 1973
I have done a lot of editing
but probably not enough. Laurie Palmer
asked about childhood Christmas memories and I realized that for many
Christmases our mother remembered for us in letters to her mother. I have also included some letters from my
brothers and sisters. So I give you thirty
years of Christmases.
Dec 5 1943 from Laura to her
mother
Harold has been teaching an
extra class 4 days a week at 8 in the morning & he can take the time off
but has to each week. So he has every
Sat afternoon off. Yesterday we took the
children & went into Delta to get groceries & do some Christmas
shopping. But we found we can’t find
much here, so we are not going to send presents. The mails are too crowded, & we’ve
decided just to send each of the children a savings stamp & call it
good. I hope no one is sending us
anything. We would like to come home for
Christmas but it would cost so much we won’t be able to. We are kind of expecting Bob & Mother
down this week and when we knew Jesse was leaving and Royce coming home, we
thought you wouldn’t want to leave.
Perhaps after Christmas you can spend a month with us., I wouldn’t want
you to just come for a day or two, so will you plan on coming after
Christmas. Well it is dinner time. Take care of yourself With Love
from Laura Harold Alvin & Betty
Dec
6 1944
When
I realize how close Christmas is I know that for us it will be very simple. I’m not sending any presents to anyone, and I
hope everyone else will do likewise.
We’ve got that little cradle for Betty we bought last year & we got
a doll bed for Alvin too. I’ve made doll
quilts to fit but haven’t got dolls for them yet. Alvin wants a doll as much as Betty, then all
3 of us will have a baby to take care of.
Dec
17, 1944
I
may not get another letter written before Christmas so I’m wishing you now a
Merry Christmas, and may your heart be full of joy. We wish we could all spend the day with
you. I dreamed last night that we all
went home for dinner, but discovered that the house was not big enough to hold
all of us even to eat a meal so we went to the Lion House and had a table as
long as the dining room there, and we were all seated together, children and
grandchildren, and we were all there.
Maybe someday it can be more than a dream.
Lovingly,
Laura
P.S. Harold has forgotten your letter the last 2
days, so I’m mailing this with a card and a Christmas remembrance. You can get something you need & want
with it.
Dec.
29, 1944
Dear
Mother,
I’ve just decided I must take time
out to write. I can always find
something to do. We had a very nice
Christmas. It is just the last day or so
that the children have settled down to normal living again. They both got dolls & beds, coloring
books, crayons & scissors & Betty got a cardboard train & Alvin a
boat to be put together. Maxine gave us
a spring fry from her frozen locker & Mrs. Zelenka gave us a roast of
venison. Margaret Biesinger sent 2 boxes
of candy. One she made, & one she
bought. Harold gave me money to buy a
coat & shoes & hat, but my problem now is to get into town to buy them. I can’t leave Jane with Maxine because her
girl has such a terrible cold & has had all winter. She coughs continually; and Jane has had a
litttle runny nose so I don’t like to leave her.
6535 W. Alameda
Ave.
Denver,
14, Colorado
Dec
27, 1945
Dear
Mother,
Your letter came this morning, and I
too thought I would get one off to you on Christmas day, but it is a busy time
with the children. Alvin was so excited
all day he barely ate anything. Betty
takes things a little more calmly. Santa
Clause was good to all of them. Jane got
a teddy bear, a rocking horse, and a push toy.
Betty got a doll that opens her eyes and says mama, and a doll house,
and broom, and I made her a plaid skirt out of some material Helen sent last
summer, and a blouse, and a petticoat.
Alvin got an iron boat that runs in water, and its guns shoot real fire,
and some tinkertoys, and a magic slate, and shoes, and overalls, and
suspenders, and they all got coloring books, and story books. The neighbor children gave them blow bubbles,
and hair ribbons, and I don’t know what all.
Harold gave me some house slippers, and 2 house dresses, and some
hankies. He got a wool sweater, coin
purse, and appointment book, and we got some towels, and a book “Theirs is the
Kingdom.”
I am sending you a check now because it may be rather
difficult to do so during the middle of the month. I hope you got the last one just before
Christmas.
Christmas 1946 was the year
Laura had appendicitis
Dec 31, 1947
3 or 4 nights ago we started
breaking Lou from sucking his thumb. He hasn’t tried to take it for 2
days. He seems much better without it
too. It was a case of having to break
him. Before Christmas he had a cold,
& his nose stuffed up. To go to
sleep he had to suck his thumb, and he couldn’t suck his thumb and breath thru
his nose. He kept us awake for 2 nights
until I was exhausted. We finally gave
him sulpha Christmas eve, and Christmas morning he felt better, but Betty &
I had colds. They were all like yours,
hoarseness, sore throat & flem. We
are all feeling good now.
Youngs went to Seattle the week before Christmas &
last Friday Thompsons went to Cheyenne for the weekend. So we all went to Longmont to Sunday
School. We were the first ones there,
and after a while the missionaries came, then one woman. When S.S. was started 3 children came &
that was all. So I guess our S.S. isn’t
the only one not too well attended.
Claud [Roberts] fixed the car the week after you left but
told us we couldn’t drive it more than to town for mail. Then he bought a new clutch, & he and
Harold spent most of last Sat. putting it in.
So we went to Longmont Sun. Our next Conference will be in Longmont
about the 25th of January.
We had a nice Christmas, and the children seemed so
happy. The bonnets for the dolls were
just right, & I was surely thankful I didn’t have to make them. I made dresses & knit booties, & made
a dress for Betty & 3 petticoats for Jane.
So I was busy sewing. Thanks too
for the mittens, they just fit, and for the other things for the children. I called Mrs. Haley and she wants the sweater
set, but she won’t get it until the 8th (pay day ) She expected to
pay $5.00 for them. Bertha Young says
she doesn’t see how you can make them for $5.00. The children emptied their banks and went to
town & bought me a pair of pajamas.
They are blue fluffy things. I
guess I’d better wear them soon. They
feel nice & warm. Alvin got some
checkers and already he is quite expert, and he enjoys playing. The children bought Lou some little wooden
men that you fit together & they do acrobats. Harold bought a new suit and an overcoat for
himself & I got him some gloves, socks from you, & a tie from his
Mother. Mother C. sent a lovely apron
for me. It is nice & big. Pat sent me an apron too. It is a half one, more the party type, but
very nice. I must write & thank
her. I haven’t written to anyone since
Christmas.
1948
Dec 19
Well, tomorrow night is the
big school program, then Tues. our Christmas party for Primary. Which will be about our last meeting. Our move to Denver must come before the first
of March, sooner if possible. …
I’m sitting here, watching
the Christmas tree, & the decorations are waving back & forth in the
wind. I wrote to Aunt Maggie the other
night, but none of the other folks. We
didn’t get a card off to Wid & Edna & family either. They get neglected. I’m inclosing a small picture of Betty &
Alvin for them, yours will come when I get around to wrapping them. Your letter came the day I sent the
card. We’re glad you got the package ok,
and hope it was not damaged. Well, it is
nearly 9, so I’m off to bed. Harold is
reading Ben Hur, and looks like he is good for another 2 hours. Have a good Christmas, and may the Lord bless
you,
Lovingly,
Laura
Dec.
31, 1948
Dear Mother,
This is the first real stationery I’ve had for a long
time. It was so nice to have a box from
home to open on Christmas morning. Betty
just loves the dog pin, and Alvin promptly put on the sox you sent. You know, its odd, but both Betty & Alvin
realize that Santa is Mother & Father, & both eager to help, and not
expecting too much. They both got ice
skates, a game, & 2 pr. of overalls.
Betty likes hers. The girls wear
them to school here. Lou got tinker toys
& overalls, & Jane got a ring toss game & a new wool skirt I
made. We had a heap big snow before
Christmas. It didn’t stop for 4 days,
and for the last week the wind has been blowing it everywhere. It is stacked in drifts 4 ft. deep. Last Sun, the day after Christmas we went to
Longmont to Sun. S. & had dinner with Cottles. The missionaries were also there, and one of
them complained all day that he was coming down with a cold. Well, by Tues. I
had Alvin & Betty in bed with the flu, & today is the first day they
have been up. At that they went to bed
at 6 P.M. tonight. Sister Cottle called
me this morning & said the missionaries had been in bed all week, and her
baby was also sick. The rest of us seem
to have so far avoided it.
Well, Mom, just 2 weeks before Christmas we were assigned
a permanent house here, then the dist mgr. Was changed, and the new man insists
the two offices be consolidated in Denver no later than Mar. first. Harold has his orders to get there before
Feb. 1st. It is a heck of a
world.
Dec. 28, 1949
Dear
Mother,
Excuse the paper. The children manage to use up every bit in
the house. Christmas has come and gone
again, and I am trying to catch up on some lost sleep. Laurie is six months old today. The past week she has had another cold with
mucus in her nose & throat making it hard for her to nurse. Yesterday & today however she has been
almost better.
We all had a very nice Christmas. Betty & Jane got a doll with 3 dresses
& pajamas, and they have dressed & undressed them so many times I
couldn’t count them. Betty also got a
pollyanna game & a book also some much needed boots. Janie also got boots, and a board that you
hammer colored wooden designs on, and she & Lou are at it all the
time. It is just lots of fun for
them. Louis got some blocks, and a
balloon, and a couple of small cars.
Laurie got 3 plastic ducks that float, & she has great time with
them. They also rattle. Alvin got a puzzle map of the U.S. and an
erector set. I got 3 pr of much needed
pillow cases, & a pair of nylon stockings.
Harold got some pajamas & a game of bingo. And all of us together got a radio
phonograph. We have very much to be
thankful for.
Harold has been gone all the
time. He is home for supper then gone
again. Sometimes I wonder if there
shouldn’t be a limit. Saturday, the day
before Christmas he spent working on the church. Sunday morning he was off early to Priesthood
meeting. We all went to Sunday
School. Then at 2 P.M. someone called
& asked him to give a story in sacrament meeting that night, so he spent
the rest of Christmas afternoon studying the story. Monday he was off at 8 A.M. to work on the
church & didn’t get home until 5:30, & I made chillie to help feed the
men at noon. I guess I sound like I’m
complaining a little, altho I don’t mean to.
The children do need to see a little more of Harold tho.
They have been working so hard to
get in our church by next Sunday. The
recreation hall is nearly finished, and we can meet in there until the rest of
the building is done. He is there again
tonight, but even so they won’t get in by next Sunday. It will be another week at least. They are going to work all day again Sat
& Monday the New Year holiday. The
stake is having a New Years dance, & we have thot of going, but as yet have
found no one to stay with the children.
We got Christmas cards from nearly
every family in the ward, & we didn’t send any. Harold sent some to his family & mine one
night while I sewed doll clothes, & that was all. We heard from folks in Estes, Sheridan &
even San Antonio.
The $10.00 I sent, was for you Mom,
& don’t go sending it to Bishop DeYoung.
Wid wrote and said if each of us paid $25.00 that would take care of it
(the shingles) so we will try to send ours about the 5th of
Jan. If there is any more than that to
be paid we will try to help out, but please let us know. Money doesn’t seem to go very far, but when
we are using it in the Lords work, & in doing good we seem to accomplish an
awful lot with it.
Lois sent a picture of Margaret
Louise, & we had a card from them today.
They didn’t know where you were spending Christmas. It is nearly 9 o’clock, so I must get to bed. Alvin went with Harold tonight, but since
there is no school tomorrow he can sleep late.
I am inclosing some stamps I know
you can use. Harold got them to use on
Christmas cards, but when we didn’t send any we can spare some stamps. Alvin & Betty went ice skating once or twice,
but now the weather is too warm. We
haven’t had any snow for 1 or 3 weeks, maybe longer. There is none on the ground, & today they
played out all day with just sweaters on.
The weather has been very mild.
Edna said they have snow is Salt
Lake & from the papers you have had lots of snow in Tabiona, or close
around there. We are liable to get it
all in March when it should be getting spring.
The children were all in the Primary
Christmas program, & Jane is getting to be quite a singer. The Little ones sang Away in a Manger &
on the chorus the group would sing asleep in soprano, & Jane would sing the
second asleep all alone. Betty was a
raindrop in her play at school & had to dance. Alvin was a wiseman at school &
Primary. What got me tho was the fact
that Betty ‘s play was at 9:15 A.M. & Alvin’s at 2:15 P.M. of the same
day. Nothing is arranged anymore for
people with families.
Well, goodnight Mother, May the Lord
bless you in the coming year with health & strength, and may you have and
share your happy cheerful spirit that we all enjoy. Lovingly,
Laura
1950 –
no Christmas letter
1951 –
reported Jan 3, 1952
Alvin
Carlson
I323
West Virginia
Denver
9, Colo.
Dear Grandma Davidson,
How are you feeling.
I am feeling fine. We are making
cupboards
in the living room where the
mirror used to be. They are made out of
knotty pine. I am starting a stamp colection and would
like to know
if you would send me the stamps you get from
the old country.
I got a BICYCLE for Christmas. Did you have a
nice Christmas too.
We had bubble lights on our
tree this year . Alice is geting to
be a pretty big girl. The others I mean Betty Jane and LOuis
got roller skates. Laura got a doll Dad got a 5lb.box of
chocolets
Mom GOT a bottle of Cologne
and some Jewlry Bettyand Jane also got
a doll that has been put up
for two years. We were going t o go
shopping and Laura asked where are we going
to the hospital to
get grandma.
WITH LOVE
ALVIN CARLSON
Jan 4, 1952
Dear Mother,
I know I shouldn’t go so long without writing to you, but
Christmas seemed to be surrounded by so many problems, that we could hardly
keep our heads above water. The Thurs.
before Christmas, the Primary and Sunday School had a party and program for the
children, Santa Claus and everything. ...
I had started a collection of food among the neighbors
for Mrs. Lane, the widow next to Mrs. Thompson, and by Saturday had quite a
large box full. She had been taking care
of the children nearly every day because I had to go to each of the children’s
Christmas programs, and they were each at a different time. But Sat. morning that Mrs. Lind that bought
the booties called and said that Mrs. Lane was married, and she and Mrs Reilly
didn’t think I should give the box to her.
Well, for 2 days I was in hot water over that, and finally gave part of
the food to Delores, and the greater part to the old Thompsons, and they were
really happy about it. I guess Mrs. Lane
was afraid to tell me she was getting married after I had advised her against
it, but she sent a card, and wrote a note on it telling me that she felt the
Lord directed this man to her and that he was a good Christian man.
I did a lot of sewing for Christmas too, and I guess got
over tired all the way around. I made
flannel petticoats for the 3 girls, a dress for Laura, 2 shirts for Alvin, one
for Louis, and one for Mike. He went to
his Mothers in the morning after we had opened our gifts, and stayed until
evening. This past week Brother and
Sister Runyan decided they wanted him to stay with them. They are building a new house out in Arvada
on a couple of acres of land, and want some cows and chickens, and they want
both boys so they can keep them busy.
They were planing their house, and needed an extra room for dick, and
decided it might as well be for both boys.
He was very happy he was going back there, but we were sorry to see him
go. We got quite attached to him.
As for Christmas, the main event of the day was a bicycle
for Alvin. Harold couldn’t resist
getting it for him, but it has been a source of dozens of rules since. Louis and Betty and Jane got roller
skates. Sister Robinson dressed their
dolls again for me. Someone out at
Harold’s work gave him a new tricicle for Laura, and Alvin and I put the little
blue rocking horse together, and painted it red, and Deloros gave us an ironing
board and iron that her Mother had sent and they had already got one for Donna
themselves. So Laura was very well taken
care of. We did get her a rag doll. Harold got sox ties, shirts, and I had to
have his watch repaired and a new band for it. And Harley sent him a tie pin,
and me some earrings. Harold gave me
some hose, and a rubber foam pillow.
While Mike was with us we had to steal a pillow every night from one of
the kids. I also got some teaspoons, and
serving spoons in the stainless steel like the knives I got a while ago.
We didn’t send any Christmas cards this year, and got
over a hundred. Harold sent some out
from the ward, so that took care of those here, but we got cards from many
people. The Clingers, from Omaha
Nebraska. He is with the army there. But the best news was from the Jim Youngs who
are now in California. He said they, he
and Bertha had stopped smoking a year ago, and that the devil must not have
been looking, because he was baptized a month ago. I did write a note to them last night.
An old Indian just came here this afternoon, and Harold
has just taken him to the bus station and given him a ticket to Kansas.
Dec 13,
1953
Dear Mother,
Every time we have written for the last 4 letters, our
letters have crossed in the mail. But I
have surely been happy to receive your letters.
This past week has been so busy I haven’t even been able to keep track
of the days. We still haven’t done any
shopping for Christmas and we can’t do much, but we want to make a drastic
change for Christmas. Instead of giving
the children gifts we want the children to join us in giving some poor family
something.
December 13, 1953
Dear Grandma,
How are you? I
hope you are fine. I have just
gotten over the flu. Laura and I have had
the flu for the last few
days.
It has been cool in Denver. There is snow
on the grond now, But the sun
is out. How
is the weather in Salt Lake.
In school I have learnd a lot, I have
learnd to read and writh
better. And
so has Louis. Alvin is taking Latin, he
is learning some songs in
Latin now.
I am sorry I have not written before this
But I have been busy helping
mom so I
have not written
I got A’s on all my last pieces in piano
so I am going to have
Christmas
Carols. Mom is trying to learn the
piano. She is doing well
Lovingly
Jane Carlson
P.S. Merry Christmas
Mom Betty and I are remaking doll
for Laura and Alice. And We are
stuffing aniamals for them
J.C.
[Incomplete letter, probably
written to Jane Davidson Dec. 25,
1953. page 2]
make all their costumes. Then Tues night was the school program which
they had on the playground around a Christmas tree in freezing weather. In fact, at 8 o’clock it was 3o
above zero, which is mighty cold. We
were out for over half an hour. We
dressed in Estes Park style, so were ok, but it was surprising how many
children came without leggins or hats, & were forced to go inside. After we went in the building for cocoa &
cookies & there were so many people it was like a mad house. At the same time Alvin & Harold went
caroling with the Mutual. After I took
the children home from school I went to church & had chilli with the carolers. Wed we decorated our tree, & last night
for the first Christmas eve I can remember we were in bed shortly after 10.
P.M. & everyone slept until 7 this morning. So we have really felt
refreshed today. One day just when the
children were getting over the flue we all slept in. We didn’t even hear the man honk for
Harold. It was nearly 8 o clock when
[we] woke. Harold stayed home that day
& helped get the house in order for Christmas. The children are making so much noise
again. I had better quit. I’m sending the reg. $5.00 and $3.00 special
for something for Christmas. I hope you
get something you really want with it. May the Lord bless you.
Lovingly,
Laura
Dec 7, 1954
We haven’t done anything for Christmas yet, and the time
is passing rapidly. Alice wants a
bicycle. We are not buying any dolls,
but trying to dress those we have.
We had an 18 lb. turkey for thanksgiving it was 39¢ a
lb. It is selling for 35¢ a lb. this
week. We ought to get one for Christmas,
but I don’t know. Our money goes so fast
I don’t know where. Take care of your
self, & let us know how Jennette is.
Lovingly Laura
Dec. 23, 1954
Dear Mother,
There have been so many Christmas programs, & each
with its practices that every night is taken up. Last night the Primary had its program &
after it the Mutual went Caroling, then came back to the church for chili which
Harold & I made. Tues. night the
Mutual had a program with a practice Monday night. Alvin is Ward teaching tonight.
Sunday night Bro Lavon Jones was put in as Bishop with
Bro Raymond Runyan & Tom Kimball, a new man. I wonder if I will ever get over the feeling
that had I not failed Harold would still be Bishop.
The children are all excited about Christmas. LaVon Jones gave us two tricycles for the
little girls & Alvin painted them today.
We got little suit cases for them to put their dolls & doll clothes
in. We finished making the clothes
today. Harold Danny has a Mickie Mouse
& a suitcase. He has to have what
the girls have. Louis is getting a black
board & some roller skates. Jane
some skates & a puzzle. We got the
skates with stamps like the S & H Stamps, [These were small green stamps
that were given out at the grocery store when you bought food and would be put
into a book. Books could be redeemed for
prizes] and here it is Thurs. night with only one day before Christmas & we
haven’t anything yet for Betty & Alvin.
Nor I haven’t anything for Harold.
Montgomery Wards lost a law suit over a 1,000 Christmas trees & last
Mon. put a notice in the paper they were giving them away. As Alvin was folding his papers he saw it so
we went over & got one for us. Later
Harold went over & got one for Monsons.
The 4 older ones decorated our tree.
Please keep us informed about Jennette.
Tell Helen we got the nativity scene, & the children love it. Lovingly, Laura
Dec 6, 1956
Harold still hasn’t got a
call to go to work at Wards. They told
him they were calling back all there old employees first and that it would be
about Dec. 6 before they called. I don’t
know what we will be able to do for Christmas, but I’m not worried. I am planning on making things for the girls,
& I have 4 hats for the girls I bought last spring. And Mother — you needn’t tell anyone, but I
can’t help telling you----I’m so grateful.----When Mr. Tasky heard Harold was
planning on working at Wards for Christmas he called him to come down. He told Harold to take Alvin & Louis to
Wards and buy them each a suit, a pair of shoes and a hat, and then bring him
the bill and he would pay it. Alvin’s
suit we got him when he graduated from 9th grade is above his ankles
& is pretty thin. Louis has never
had a suit. I don’t think either one of
them would wear a hat so we may get them each a shirt instead. For Thanksgiving he gave me $30.00. I bought flour & powdered milk with it.
The Lord seems to look after us when we need it most.
Dec 23, 1957
Dear
Mother,
I don’t mean to neglect you. I think of you constantly, and I’ve worried
about not getting a letter written till I have been better off writing every
few days.
After I got over the flu it seemed
to take forever to get my strength back, and then 3 weeks ago both Harold &
I got a cold. It hung on & on, and
my nose is one big cold sore, both inside & out. We finally got some Vitiman C and this morning
I feel like the cold is going. Harold
Danny, Alise & Laura all woke yesterday with coughs and runny noses, so we
started giving them Vitiman C. too.
Maybe we can clear them all up before Christmas.
During the last 2 weeks we have had
5 school programs. Betty played her
violin in a high school concert. Jane
sang in a Sunday concert. Alice was in a
program one afternoon, & Laura & Louis an evening performance. And Jane had another one last Fri. Laura had a Brownie program last Tues and
played 3 Christmas Carols on the piano.
Her first public appearance. She
has been taking lessons for 9 weeks., but does exceptionally well. Then we had the Primary program Fri
evening. Alice was the Angel of
Peace. She had long dark curls, and is a
beautiful child.
Laura gave her first 2 ½ min. talk
in the big Sunday School yesterday in a program given by the Jr. S. S. She had her talk learned a month ago, and did
so well everyone just gasped. Last night
Alvin had a priest cottage meeting here, and so while it was going on we took
the little ones out to see the lights, and got caught in a traffic jam in a
residential section over by the Stake house.
It took us an hour to go 6 blocks.
10 minutes before we got out of it [a] policeman showed up to untangle
it. We had gone to see the prize winning
lighting entry, and so had everyone else in Denver. They have all had their school & church parties,
and Betty & Jane have been kept busy baby sitting. I think Jane had $12.00 & Betty $15.00 to
do shopping with. But Jane is still
loosing things. She paid $1.50 for a toy for Sammy and got home without
it. She never did find it.
Sammy had a happy birthday last
Tues, and you never saw a happier child.
We got him a ball. The children
gave him some balloons, a horn & a small turtle that you pull, and he had a
birthday cake, and it was his happy birthday for 3 days. I wish the rest of them would be satisfied
with so little.
We got a lovely card & letter
from Aunt Maggi, and I had already written one to her. We got a lot of cards off a week ago, but
none to the family yet. It is a constant
battle to get done what must be done.
Today Harold started a vacation
along with the children. They will all
be home until Jan. 2, including 7 year old Peter who I am taking care of. He lives next door. Sammy still wakes up every morning at 6. He lay down again with Harold so I got up to
write this. Now they are both up. I’m sure going to have to be one jump ahead
of this tribe this week if I know whats good for me. We bought a Christmas tree with the $5.00 you
sent, plus some icicles & balls. It is standing on an 8 in. table, and
reaches the ceiling, and it is lovely.
The priests went to the mountains and got them, and sold them as a
building fund project. …
The sun is up, & so is everyone
else so I’ll wish you a happy holiday, and good health, and contentment. During
the coming year. May the Lord bless you.
Lovingly
From all of
us,
Laura
P.S. We
sent a small pkg hope you get it for Christmas
Jan.
2, 1958
Dear Mother,
Harold is back to work after being off for nearly 2
weeks, and the children are all back in school.
I have had Peter the 7 year old neighbor boy too, and it seems that all
I have done is cook. They have all been
on the go constantly, each going in a different direction, but they all seemed
to manage to be here at meal time with one or two more. We did plan to go swimming together one
night, and Betty had a cold, and Alvin was too tired. The rest of us enjoyed it very much. We sent out about 75 cards before Christmas,
the first time in many years. I don’t
know why we didn’t get any off to our brothers and sisters, except that we
wanted to take time to send a letter with each of them, and so didn’t get them
done. The press of activities the last
two weeks
before Christmas leaves no
time for anything. We are sorry we
didn’t get them sent, and since we didn’t send any we can’t expect to receive
any. We didn’t hear from anyone but
Jesse before Christmas, and Dan after.
We appreciated both of them.
We all had a very lovely Christmas. The children each gave each other something,
and we gave them each a game and something to wear. With 8 games in the house they have all
enjoyed the holidays. We have never bought
games like that before, and they thought it was really something. I got 6 pair of hose, I guess they all knew I
had none. 2 slips, and some pearls, and
two head scarves from friends. Peter’s
Mother gave me one, and sister Barber gave me the other. Harold got a no iron Arrow shirt, that we
found has to be at least pressed, hankies, ties, cuff links, and David O.
McKays book that he will use in teaching his Sunday School class. Alvin gave me a vase that he paid $10.00
for. He was really pleased and so was I.
1958 Christmas. Jane Davidson must have spent it with us in
Denver because there were no letters until this one. Betty accompanied her Grandmother to Salt Lake
and then returned to Denver.
Dec.
28, 1958
Dear Mother, and Betty,
We all hope you had a good trip to
Salt Lake, and that you are rested after so long a time without sleep. Yesterday again was a lovely warm sunshiny
day here, but today it is cloudy. It
tried to snow this morning, but didn’t quite make it. The ground got wet once, but it stopped, and
the ground is dry again. We may get some
snow yet, it looks enough like it might.
I hope you didn’t run into too much snow.
Wednesday
Dec. 23, 1959
[This
letter is in cursive]
Dear
Grandmother,
Hope you have
a
Merry Christmas,
And
a happy New Year.
We
have a white Christmas
tree. We decorated it
Saturday. Do you have
your’s
up yet?
To day is the first time
I
have done any writing
Love Alice
Carlson
[with
the letter is a Christmas Card with shepherds, sheep and star:]
May
all the joy
and
peace
of
the
Christmas
Season
be
yours
today
and always
Love
Alice
Carlson
Dec.
27, 1959
Dear
Mother,
Two days after Christmas, and I’ve
not written a card or a letter for Christmas.
Sister Vivian was asking about you this morning at Sunday school. We saw Opal & Harry Jones yesterday and
they were asking about you. We took
Betty to town yesterday and she paid $10.00 down on a winter coat. She will need it if she is going to school
next winter. She is still working, and
made $30.00 last week. It will taper off
now tho after inventory. They wanted her
to work today, and she told them she had to go to church. Last week, the 15 top seniors at West took a
special science test. The one that comes
out on top will get a $6,000 science scholarship. She said she doesn’t have much chance of
winning, & even if she did, doesn’t think she wants to take that much
science. She has been working hard
during the Christmas season, and has quite a bad cold.
The first of Dec. the new Bishop
asked me to teach the teacher training course, so for this month I’ve had 2
classes to teach. One during opening
exercises and the 19 to 23 year olds during regular class periods. The Teacher training class is so new to me
that I’ve really had to dig for it.
I had to go to school 3 afternoons
for Christmas programs, and Harold D. had to have pajamas for his program, so I
made new ones for him & will. I made
a jumper & blouse for Betty a skirt each for Laurie and Alice, & a dress
for Marilyn & Barbara. Jane was the
only one of the girls that I didn’t get something made for. I hope your dress fits you, and that it isn’t
too full as it was when we tried it on.
I made buttons all down the front because it didn’t hang right when I
sewed it. I hope you get some use out of
it.
Alvin & Marilyn came in on Dec.
19, and will be here till Jan. 3rd.
Marilyn’s Mother, Sis Spencer was in the hospital for over a week, until
2 days before Christmas, then those 2 days they spent moving. They are now living half way between here and
Boulder. Alvin & Marilyn are out
there today. The baby is doing fine.
Three weeks ago we had 6 people from
Turkey spend Sunday with us. 2 couples
& 2 children. The men are here for there government, to learn personell
work, and Harold worked with them for 2 weeks.
We want to see more of them, and learn more of there customs. They are very well educated altho they don’t
know too much English. The one wife with
the 2 children speaks very little, and it makes it hard to communicate. They are Moslems, and made it very clear that
there God was the same as ours, that Mohamad was merely a prophet. They were very interesting people.
Guggenheimers just returned today
from a 2 week stay in New York. Hans
only brothers only son reached 13 and they went back for the Bar Mitzva or his
becoming or age. I didn’t know whether
that is the spelling. I’ve never seen it
in writing.
Elsbeth gave me a lovely bulky knit
sweater for Christmas it is tan, & is the nicest thing I’ve ever had.
A week before they left for New York
Hans got fired from his job again. I
don’t know what they will do now.
We had a card from Uncle Jim, and the
one that came from Dan Main I opened then resealed & will send it on.
Dad has to speak in church
tonight. He is making a gift
presentation to the Old Bishop & counselors.
Next Sun we start S. S. at 11 A.M.
and church at 7 P.M. This afternoon I’ve
been so sleepy it has been an effort to stay awake. Im inclosing some school pictures of the children.
I stoped for an hour & went over
to see the Guggenheimers. They are tired
but glad to be home. They both had the
flu before they came home. I’m still
sleepy as ever, and must get the children ready for church. I’ll write more often. I don’t know why I haven’t written more.
Lovingly
Laura
January
3, 1960
Dear Grandmother
I hope you are feeling well. We are feeling well here except mother has a
sore throght. How is everyone up
there? Mother said you got my letter.
Alvin’s & Marilyn’s address is 2548 Mapleton. Their phone number is Hi.3-3816. They have been with us during the
holidays. They will stay till after
fireside tonight.
Mother made Marilyn & Barba a dress that maches. She also made a other dress for Marilyn to
wear today.
We each got something for Christmas that mother
made. The girls got skirts, bloses,
peddcoats, & dresses. We got severle
toys & games for all of us.
Willy was the first to eat all of his candy. So we all share ours with him. Harold’s went next.
Our tree was white with lots of thing on it. We took it down New Years day.
Love
Alice
1960
Undated Christmas Card -
December 1960]
Home for Christmas
Greetings of the Season
and
friendly good wishes for
the New Year
How I wish we could all be
home for Christmas. We went to Boulder
Fri evening and brought Alvin & Marilyn home, then waited all day Sat. for
Betty to come home. She was coming
(inside) on the bus, but at the last minute came with Frank Lawton (Winnie
Laforce’s brother) and two other boys.
We waited & waited. The
weather report was that the passes were snow packed, and chains necessary, and
it was snowing. The children went to bed
by 10:30 P.M. and Harold about 11. They
finally got here about 12:15. Cold,
hungry & tired. They had car trouble
all the way. They stopped once and
bought a loaf of bread and some lunch meat, and that was all the 4 of them had
all day. They were pushed at least 6
times. They were pulled up Berthod pass
by a snow plow, and 4 different highway Patrolman helped them. What a blessing you didn’t go with them. When they got here it looked like the whole
car was burning up. It was smoking
terrificly. They had a Cereberial Palsey
boy with them, and he couldn’t move unless someone moved him. After they got here Harold had to take the 3
boys home. The boy with the wheelchair
clear out to thornton. He didn’t get
back till after 2 A.M. It is good to
have Betty home well and safe. Willy had
a birthday (5 years) yesterday. He got a
red wagon. A shirt, coloring book and a
story book. Alice made him a cake, and
we all went swimming to celebrate his birthday.
Harold Danny’s arm is healing.
The cast has been off a week and the black & blue is beginning to
fade. Harold is leaving by plane
tomorrow morning and won’t be back till Fri evening. He is going to Nebraska. Take care of yourself and know that we all
love you. We’re sending a small package
hope you get it by Christmas. Lovingly Laura
To Grand-
mother
[Picture of Alice]
1960
Best Wishes for a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year
Alice Carlson [signature cut from
previously used card and replaced with name]
Dec 1, 1961
I’m still teaching the teacher training lessons, and so far I have had
an assignment for part of every Relief Society lesson this year. I’m just going to have to start telling them No. I am chairman for the luncheon committee for
work day in December, and I guess they want it a little special for the holiday
month. Today I am roasting a 25 lb.
Roast beef for the Ward dinner tonight, and Willy and Harold have been home
from school 3 days this week with a cold.
I think we have it just about licked now tho.
None of the things I
have been doing are especially hard, it is just the ... nstan.... ... ...
[mouse nipples have destroyed the line.] We were happy to see Betty Home last
week, and on Thanksgiving after dinner we went into the foothills, and went
toboggening, and Willy and I bumped heads, and I dislocated my jaw, and
couldn’t eat or talk much for 3 days. It
is almost better now tho. Betty will be
out of school for the Holidays on the 15th, and will be home on the
16th. Woolworths told her
they will put her to work the minute she gets home.
Alvin and Marilyn are
doing fine. I believe they are getting homesick now that Christmas is coming
near. Marilyn bought Alvin a typewriter
for his birthday, and he has been practicing an hour a day on it, and he is
getting pretty good. He hopes that by
the time he goes back to school he will be good enough to do his paper work
with it. Louis has been going out for
basketball both at church and at school.
They finally weeded out all but 20 at school for the freshman, or
sophmore team, and He got weeded out Wednesday, and yesterday he was pretty
unhappy. He has been doing so very good
we were a little surprised. All fall tho
he has had trouble with his neck. Two of
the vertebrae keep popping out, and it gives him headaches. I took him to the chriopractor, and he is
much better now.
Jan 9, 1962
Betty left here on New Year’s
Eve, and went to Tabiona to spend New Year’s day. She wanted to get some geneology from Aunt
Jennette. Then she was going to Provo
with Reed. They just live thru the block
from each other. Betty worked at
Woolworth’s all the time she was home except the last two days. I worked there on Wed and Thursday after
Christmas to help them with the inventory.
Jane is still working there two or three nights a week. They called her last night and told her not
to come to work. They closed the store
at 6 instead of 9 P.M. All the stores in
the shopping center closed because of the storm. There was no one out in it. Even the downtown stores that stay open till
9 on Monday closed by 4 P.M.
Dec
27, 1962
Dear Mother,
Christmas is over, and I only got about half of my cards
mailed. I got this much written when
Alice brought in your card & letter, & one from Betty & many
others. It took 7 days for your letter
to come from California.
Betty spent Christmas in Clearfield at the Stokers. Blen arrived in S.L. from Denver Sat. night
at 11:P.M. & they went on to Clearfield that night. She called us Christmas day to tell us she
received a diamond for Christmas. She
seems very happy, & very sure. Blen
is a good boy altho he is 28 or 29 in Jan.
He is rather shy. He will not be
returning here until the 2nd or 3rd of Jan, so you will
have a chance to meet him before he comes back.
Just after Betty called, Alvin & Marilyn called from
Denver. They had 4 inches of snow - we
have 8 inches. They had a lovely
Christmas, and sent a lovely picture of the children to us. They are going to have Karen blessed this
Sunday. Alvin got a Superior Performance
cash award of $225.00 and he has been left in charge of the ofc. for a month.
Jane arrived last Sat morning at 1:30 A.M. and will leave
to go back at 3:A.M. New Years day. I
think another year we will encourage her to stay in Utah. She came in last Fri night after one of the
strangest ice storms I’ve ever seen.
Louis is in Denver. Surely our
family has been traveling to and fro upon the earth this Christmas time.
Bill Jones, a boy from Denver who is a Methodist &
attending the John Hopkins U. at Baltimore has been with us since last
Wed. He is leaving again tomorrow. He seems to have enjoyed himself while he has
been here. He and Jane went into
Washington yesterday with Harold, & went sight seeing all day, & came
home with Harold at night. He couldn’t
afford to go home for Christmas, and he has fit in here nicely. He has Louis room while Lou is in Denver.
I think it is cold anywhere at this time of year. We surely feel the cold here. We have a fire place, but no logs. We didn’t realize we would need them. All fall men came around with trucks of logs,
but we didn’t think we would need them.
Harold was sorry he missed you when he was in Salt
Lake. I was going to send you $10.00 for
Christmas, but that trip took all we had.
I’m glad you were warm on the bus going. We have a lovely Christmas tree. Write again when you get home.
Lovingly
Laura
Nov 21, 1963
This morning is Relief
Society, but I guess I won’t be able to go.
Mr. Wilkinson will probably bring Johny over after he has taken him to
the Dr., and if he has had a fever I won’t want to take him out. I went last week, and we made some bells for
Christmas out of chicken wire. They are
about 9 inches high, and 2 of them tied together at the top with a wide
ribbon. They have little tiny christmas
beads on the ends of each wire at the bottom, and ribbon twined thru the wire
around the middle. They make a lovely
decoration. It hasn’t been often that I
have made anything for myself at Relief Society. It seems that I have always had to help with
the demonstrations or been helping someone else, so it is a pleasant
change. I brought the bells home, they
were painted, but the ribbon and balls were not on them yet. Laurie wanted to take them to school and
finish them there for a school project she has to have.
Washington
D.C.
Dec
22, 1963
My Dearest Mother
Ever since I first started writing Christmas cards around
the first of December I have been telling myself that I would write my darling
mother a letter and not just send her a card.
Things have been so hectic that I almost didn’t get it done. And what with the mails being overtaxed and
the big snow storm my message might be late anyway.
At Christmas time especially we become nostalgic and
think with fondness of the wonderful happenings in our lives. It seems only as yesterday that we were all
at home busily getting ready for Christmas.
We probably didn’t have a lot of money but it seems as though you and
Dad always outdid yourselves making Christmas merry and spending more than you
could afford. The time or two when
things were really rough and we kids could tell that you and Dad were worried
about where Christmas was coming from seem to stand out as the most happy ones
of my life. When we couldn’t afford lots
of Christmas candy I remember we always had a big five gal. can on honey from
which we could make honey taffy.
Sometimes we cooked it too long so it couldn’t stretch, but the real fun
was in doing things together. That was
something there was no shortage on in our home.
Can’t just speak of the “old times” you will want to know
of the present. We are all well - Laura
did have the flu for over a week but seems to have recovered just in time for
Xmas. Jane has been working hard in the
Dept of Agriculture as a Steno to earn money so she can go back to the Y in
February. Lou is in his last year at
high school and doing well. He has been
as to escort a young girl to the annual “Debutante Ball” a big afair at which
the upper crust present their 18 year old daughters to society. Lou will be in tuxedo etc. He hopes he breaks his leg and can’t go. Alice and Laurie are both doing fine. They both do a lot of baby sitting and so had
saved fro Christmas. Laurie is in 1st
year high school and Alice in Jr. High.
Our little boys Harold and Willy have been busy thinking up errands and
jobs they could do for mother to earn money so they could help too. So all in all we will be showered with
gifts. Blen and Betty are fine too and
will spend Xmas with us. Alvin and
Marilyn and their three little ones are too far away (much too far). They will be alone at Ainsworth Nebraska
where Alvin is working hard. Still
expecting to go back to College. But
after he bought a new 1963 Chevy last summer I sort of gave up hoping he would
go back and finish. Maybe he’ll full
[fool] all of us. I hope so. But–on the other hand. Not everyone has to go to college. Alvin has a good job, a lovely wife and three
darling children. I see no reason why he
can’t be considered doing fine just like the rest of us.
We don’t hear much from Bob and Mary Louise anymore. Too bad we didn’t get together more while we
were both living in Colorado. From the
few letters we get–I’m sure you get more–it seems they are doing real well.
With the Worlds fair being in New York this year we are
hoping that several of the families might just take the notion to come
east. If so its just overnight from New
York to Washington and there is no excuse for anyone missing us. Even without a world’s fair, the Nation’s
capitol has a tremendous attraction for Americans both young and old so if
anyone mentions it encourage them to come.
We have plenty of room to sleep 10 extra if need be.
Well I guess I had better stop. You will note that I am using Uncles [Uncle
Sam’s - United States Department of the Interior] stationery. Everyone in the office have slowed down in
production for the holidays so I thought I would get this letter off while I
had a moment.
May the good Lord bless and keep you and may the spirit
of this Christmas season gladden your hear.
Tell Ruth and Ock hello - In fact I’m sure they will be reading this
letter to you. I am enclosing my check
to Ruth with a request that you get her to buy a present from Laura and I to
you - something you need or can use.
Being so far away we have no idea what would be appropriate. Give all the family our best Christmas wishes
and prayers for a happy and successful 1964 for everyone
Your loving son
Harold
P.S.
Jane and I attended the
candle light service marking the end of the 30 day period of morning for President Kennedy’s death. It has been interesting being here in
Washington at a time like this.
Love Harold.
Jan 5, 1964
Christmas has come and gone
like as if it were a dream. I didn’t
write any letters or send any cards.
Harold wrote out about 80 cards, and sent them off. Otherwise no one would have heard from
us. He left my brothers and sisters for
me to do, but I didn’t get them done.
Christmas day Willy was sick. He
didn’t eat anything all day, and vomited during the morning. By Christmas evening I didn’t want to eat
anything. By the following morning I
didn’t eat any food either. It was just
a short term flu I guess, but for a couple of days I felt all washed out….
Betty and Blen took Harold
and I to an icecream parlor a week ago, and I saw some Christmas Candies there
that I hadn’t seen since I was a child.
We got some, and are sending them on to you. I know you will remember them too. It may be a few days before they reach you…..
I haven’t written to Alvin
and Marilyn since Thanksgiving, and should try to get a letter written to them
today too. We did talk to them on the
phone Christmas day. Alvin called
us. Betty and Blen gave us a Sunbeam
mixmaster for Christmas. Ours has been
broken for about 6 months. Betty also
got a new Singer Sewing machine. It is a
beautiful desk model, and she already has made 2 dresses for herself. Jane got some money for a new winter coat,
and we bought her one for her last week during the sales.
We all had a very good christmas. We bought Harold a suit, a sweater, and a
coat during the first part of December, also house slippers and a robe, and we
called it his birthday and christmas. He
did get a pair of gloves for christmas.
Willy and Harold got gloves and games, and the girls got a sweater and
skirt, and house slippers. I got a robe
and house slippers. Lou got a watch that
made him very happy. He worked all
during the holidays, and is trying to save his money for school next fall. Jane is just about ready to go back to
school. She will most likely come on the
train it will probably take her right to Provo, so she may not see you till a
week or two latter than that. She is
anxious to get started back. She did
want to come by plane, but paid more for her coat than she had planned, so is
going by train instead. That is she will
if it will save her any days working. I
would like to get some clothes made for her before she goes back.
It was so good to talk to you on Christmas eve, and to
know that you had been out with the bunch caroling. I’m sure that you must yet come back here,
and spend a few months, so when one of them is coming, you had better plan on
it.
Nov 25,
1964
Betty & Blen are planning
on leaving here about Dec 4th and will be in S.L. for the
holidays. They are driving. I haven’t heard what Jane & Ken & Lou
are doing for Thanksgiving. Lou called
about 2 weeks ago asking if he should come home for Christmas. The chartered plane costs $130.00 round trip,
& there were 3 students driving a Volkswagon bus & that would cost him
$40.00 and 2 sleepless nights each way.
Harold told him to stay there, or go to Denver with Alvin. Jane & Ken are going to California for
Christmas. It is Jane’s birthday this
Sunday the 29th. We sent her
some pajamas & stockings.
Dec 12,
1964
I’m happy Jane & Ken were
with you for Thanksgiving. They are
going to California for Christmas, leaving the 19th Lou is staying
either in Utah or he may go to Denver for a few days. We didn’t have money to have him come
home. I’m sure he would like to come
home, & he could make the round trip by plane for $125.00 which is what you
paid for one way. It is a chartered
plane. But he will probably go over
& spend 2 or 3 days with Alvin & Marilyn.
I hope you have seen Betty & Blen. They were with Alvin Wed evening, and the 3
little children had the chickenpox.
Betty & Blen will be around Utah till Jan. 4th I wish you
could come back with them, but they have the babys mattress filling up the
back. We are going to have to have you
come back again by plane, so keep your ears open for someone coming, and you
can come with them. We will too. We have that extra room. Alice is using it now, but there is an empty
room in the basement. If I work after
Christmas it will be for only 4 hours a day, and some how you have a refining
influence on our household while you are here.
I still haven’t sent the corn slicer or whatever that Dan
gave me for Jennette, but they can’t use it anyway till next year so I’ll send
it after the holidays. Dan also said he
would like to have found a good knife for her, but he didn’t.
Time for me to get back to
work. Tomorrow is Sunday, and I haven’t
sent any Christmas cards yet.
[Death of Hannah Jane Smith
Carlson 16 Dec 1964, Salt Lake City, Utah]
Laura Carlson note: I was working at a large department store
Woodward and Lothrup clerking in the men’s department for about 6 weeks before
Christmas. ]
I was working at a large
department store Woodward and Lothrup clerking in the men’s department for
about 6 weeks before Christmas. ]
Jan 17, 1965
The children are all well,
and are keeping busy. We had a nice
Christmas but missed Lou Jane, Betty, & Alvin. In fact, it seemed like a very small part of
our family was home this year. The
children got mostly clothes that they badly needed. We had some beautiful lights on the tree on
the front lawn. We had a group of
Laurie’s friends in one night for a party.
I worked up till Christmas, and the day after. I really should try to find another job. Lou and Alvin both need help to stay in
school, and we haven’t been able to help them much.
Dec 8, 1965
It doesn’t seem possible, but
I will be leaving for Salt Lake in just a week and 3 days.…
The children are all getting
ready for their Christmas programs.
Their last day of school is Dec. 22, so they will have 2 days off before
Christmas this year. Harold is going to
stay home from work during the time I am in Salt Lake, and he can take Mike and
do a lot of work on the Chapel during that time. …
I think it will be good for
Mike to have a Christmas with the children here. Phyllis Carlson, his sister was here for 4
days over Thanksgiving, and she says that Christmas has been just like another
day for the past half dozen years. His
Dad never had a tree, or presents, but was always promising him something, and
never getting it.
Dec
23, 1965
Dear Mother,
Jane is still home.
It has been a good thing too.
I’ve been able to get 10 or 11 hours sleep each night, and I guess I’ve
needed it.
She only had 2 recieving blankets, and we bought some
flannel, and have been making some–also some bibs out of the end pieces. She only has 1 blanket, & 1 small
quilt. It was good that the children
made a quilt & I knit the shawl. She
still should have a couple more blankets.
Louis surely left here in a hurry. He got special permission for him & his
companion to have dinner with us Sunday afternoon. We saw him a few minutes Sat. evening, but he
spent a couple of hours here Sunday.
Betty sent him a box of candy & Blen sent him some ties. He had a little of my fruit cake &
cookies, but most of it I guess he left for the other missionaries. He called here at 5:30 P.M. Monday & said
they were leaving at 6:10 P.M. on the train.
I already had my coat on so Ken & Jane could take me to the bus for
Salt Lake. It left at 5:45. Another minute & I’d have been gone,
& missed Lou. Many of the boys didn’t
have anyone to see them off. Some of
them didn’t even have their money or all their clothes. There were 2 bus loads that left from here
that night.
I understand that once Jane is in the hospital, they will
not let me in. So I will plan on coming
to Salt Lake for the 2 or 3 days she is in the hospital. There is a train that leaves here at 7:40
A.M. which should get to Salt Lake about 9:A.M. and another that gets into S.L.
about 10:P.M. The Depot is only about 2
blocks from Jane’s place and cost about half that the bus does. So I’ll be coming on the train if the time is
right. I ought to know how to get a bus
from town out to your place.
What are you planning on doing for Christmas? I don’t know where I’ll be yet.
Lovingly
Laura
Mrs. Harold Carlson
c/o the Babcocks
432 So 4th West
Provo, Utah
Dec.
27, 1965
P.S. We got some letters off to you. Will send more.
My Darling,
Forgive us for not writing we spend all our time while at
home listening for the phone and whenever it rings I say that’s Mother telling
us about Jane and her new baby and so far it has always been someone else. But maybe before I get this letter off or
even written you will be on the phone telling us the good news. We are all fine. It’s now 10 to 10 pm the boys have crawled in
bed. Alice and Laurie are at a seminary
party. Blen and Betty just stopped by
for Julie. We tended her while they went
to a reception for Bishop Horn’s daughter.
Also said we had a invitation but since I didn’t get it I said I wouldn’t
go. I’m a little like Mike, rather not
meet people. No that’s not true. I appreciate the Horns. Him as a good bishop and her as a lovely
singer. I would have wanted to go if you
were here. But alone I am nothing and so
was satisfied to watch Julie. Mike
really likes his bike. Kept it in the
basement until last night when I let him take the tarp off the mower. The others were all very pleased with
Christmas. I am sure everyone was
thrilled. We had a fine dinner at
Betty’s. Our girls have been good woks
[workers?] also. I spent Mon thru
Thursday on the bldg. (Mike was with on Thursday But since then I have stayed
close to home.
I mentioned Mike and his thrill over the bike. It was good we got him something real extra
as he was quite low Christmas Eve. I
made a mistake and let him read a letter we had received on Friday from
Phyllis. In it she mentioned that she
had been on the phone with Carroll who had been in touch with Gord. Gord told Carroll he had received Mikes
letter and would answer it But he just couldn’t take Mike back. He and Vickie were still fighting and
drinking. He was out of work and broke
and so couldn’t even send Mike a present but nonetheless he would answer his
letter. Since Mike had received packages
from Phyllis and Carrol I thought perhaps he should know that his Dad was
thinking of him and would have liked to send a present. Mike however took it real hard. He had dreamed that somehow Gord would come
to his aid and invite him home. In his
imagination he could see himself and his dad together in happiness and to hear
the truth was quite a let down.
Dec.
30, 1965
Dear Mom,
I hope you are feeling better. How is your leg.
Have you been wearing your
brace?
What does the baby look like? Is she cute?
What are they going to name
her?
We miss you very much.
When will you be home?
It wasn’t very Christmasy
with you being gone. Laurie &
Alice are having a time
preparing dinners.
The night before last Bart spent the night, and
Willy went over to David’s
house.
Christmas night we went out to see lights and found
that the best lights were in
our neighborhood.
Love
Harold
[Letter written on inside of
a Christmas card before and after the printed verse.]
Dec.
21, 1966
Dear Mother,
We think of you constantly, and know we should write more
often. I’m sending some things for
Christmas with Bob Donaldson. He has
been living with us since Sept. and is going home for Christmas. We have been making all our Christmas
Presents this year, because there is no money, and it has been taking all our
time. The children have done a wonderful
job of making things for each other.
Louis is doing wonderfully well, but was moved just before
Christmas. He won’t get the pkg of candy
we sent till long after. Dad is still
working hard on the chapel, and the Relief Society is keeping me more than
busy.
This
warm and friendly greeting
Now that Christmas-time is here
Is
but an echo of a wish
That goes to you–all year!
Dad & I had to help with
a Ward Dinner last week at the school, and it was almost too much for me. I spent 3 days in bed after it–just
tired. We are all feeling well, & have
had 2 snow storms
in the past week.
Lovingly Laura & Harold
Jan 2, 1967
Dear Mother,
Bob Donaldson arrived back
here last night at midnight, but we didn’t know he was here till this
morning. He said he saw you on Christmas
day soon after he arrived there from here.
It took him more than 24 hours to get to Salt Lake from here.
We hope you were able to use
the fruit cake and candy. I didn’t get
the fruit cake made until a week before Christmas. It will be much better in a few weeks. If you have any left, put it in the
frig. Harold Danny and Willy made the
chocolates. Did you like the wall
hanging? Many people here leave them up
all year round. I hope it wasn’t broken
by the time it got there. I didn’t dare
mail it. Alice and Laurie helped make it
for you.
Thank you very much for the
$5.00. We bought nuts with it for
Christmas. The children bought us a new
chandelier for the livingroom for Christmas.
Harold made me a round table for the livingroom, and I made a footstool
for him. I made a coat for Laurie, and a
dress for Alice, and stocking caps for Harold and Willy. We had a different kind of christmas, but we
all had fun, and everyone enjoyed themselves.
Betty and Blen got a Steinway
Grand Piano for Christmas, and Blen plays it so beautifully. That is all they got, but it was more than
the could afford, but they are happy with it
Dec
21 - 1967
Dear Mother,
The ice storms we have here look like the glitter on this
card. We have only had 1 snow storm this
year. It lasted about 3 days, then we
had rain that washed the foot of snow we had away. It seems that it takes me all my time to fix
meals and wash clothes. Laurie arrived
home last Sunday evening. She was on the
bus 2 days and 2 nights. Louis will arrive
home this Sunday evening at 7:P.M. He
will be 24 hours in London and 24 hours in Glasgow and fly from Glasgow to New
York. I guess it was hard for him to get
a flight at this time of year.
[These CHRISTMAS wishes come to you
To say, “Be happy all year through!”]
We hope you have a very happy
Christmas. We are enclosing $5.00. Will you get Mary or Pat or someone to help
you get a bath mat or towels or something you need. We wish we could have been in Salt Lake this
week for Dianes & Mary Jane’s (over) weddings. We have had lovely letters from Alvin and
Beverly. Alvin is Secretary in the
M.I.A. Lou’s letters too have been
wonderful. We will let you know what he
is planning to do when he get home.
Harold gets tired easily.
He is going to take the week of Christmas off, so he will get a little
rest. Thank you so much for your letters
and card. Lovingly
Laura
January
1, 1968
Dear Mother,
Today we put Laurie on the
bus to go back to Provo. She has been
home just 2 weeks, and we enjoyed having her home. Louis arrived home from his mission a week
ago yesterday, and he is a fine young man.
Today he started working for McDonald’s again, but is planning on going
to Provo to start school the 26th of January.
It has been a wonderful busy
holiday time for us this year. This year
for Christmas we had all of the family here except Alvin and his family. I guess if we had the money we would have sent
for him too. It is too bad we
couldn’t. Alvin is doing fine. Beverly and the baby has been sick with the
flu, but were better by Christmas. They
sent all of us some home made candy and cakes.
It seemed that everything I made disappeared so fast I couldn’t keep up
with feeding all of them.
Dec.
13, 1968
Dear Mother,
Christmas will be here before we know it. The time just
seems to whiz by. I guess with me
working it seems to go much faster, yet we are not concious of it passing until
it is gone.
Lst Sat. we all went over to Maryland to the temple
ground-breaking ceremony. Pres. Brown
was there, also Ezra Taft Benson. But it
was a bitter cold day. It started out
fairly warm, but by the time the ceremony was over we were all cold as
ice. The temple site is in a beautiful
place on a hill overlooking Rock Creek Park and the Beltway. ..
Laurie and Louis are staying
out there for Christmas, but I don’t know where Laurie will be staying. She said something once about going to
Tabiona, but we haven’t heard from her for about two weeks. We haven’t sent any Christmas presents this
year, and I don’t seem to have the energy to worry about it, but we do hope you
have a very lovely Christmas, and that you are warm and happy. It has been terribly cold here for the past
week. Do take care of yourself.
With all our love,
Laura
Dec
8, 1970
Dear Mother,
It was good to hear you on the phone even if you couldn’t
hear us. Christmas is almost here. United Air Lines work is very busy now. I have been working 10 hours a day most days
for the past month. And it will keep up
till after Christmas. I’ve also been
getting my teeth fixed, so I’ve had no time for anything….
Laurie is coming home for
Christmas. She is leaving Provo Dec.
20. Nothing open the 18 or 19th. Alice and Sam are going to spend the Holidays
with Grandma Davidson and Toronto while Mont and Helen go to Syracuse N.Y. to
be with Wendy. Her baby is due the 23rd
of Dec. ….
Jan 1, 1971
The Stokers came Christmas
day, and left today on the 12:10- flight that finally left at 3:25 P.M. I
thin. At least that was the last reading
I took. In a way I’ll be happy to see
the holidays come to a close, but then there are other and new problems. United Air Lines is cutting down in every way
imaginable. They have fired several
lately, and I expect will let other[s] go.
They have advised us that they are about 15 over staffed. So, I guess I had better be on my best
behavior. I can’t afford to lose my job….
Dad recieved the nuts you
sent for his Birthday. It cost you
almost as much as they were worth for the postage. He surely appreciated them tho. He ate too many the first night, then was a
little more careful after that. Please
and write and tell us about your christmas.
We talked to everyone on Christmas except you. Thanks for the game. Willy says it is hard, yet claims to have
beaten Harold. They also got a game of
Risk, which we scoured the country side for.
Then the day before both Dad and Harold found one.
I’m so tired my writing is
very bad. Besides, I can’t think. Karen and Lou sent some lovely candles, and a
bulliten board. Deborah and Jennilyn
sent us some lovely bells that we hung on our Christmas tree. Alvin and Beverly we got the cheese 3 days
ago, and have been enjoying it immensely.
We enjoyed having Laurie home
for the holidays, and she was content to stay with us as long as Craig was
around, but after he left she was ready to go too. It is a good thing she went too. …
Dad and I had the biggest
Christmas we have ever had. We got our
carpeting in Monday before Christmas, and we thought we would have the sofa
done too, but it wasn’t finished till yesterday. We had it in the living room, and it was
finished except for the cousions. cusions cushions. I guess if I try enough I will get it spelled
correctly. I’ll send you a sample of the
carpet and the sofa. Right now I’m going
to head for bed.
Lovingly,
Mother
Dec.
18, 1971
We bought an artificial tree
this year. It looks very nice, then last
night Lou brought us one. He also
brought one for himself, Laurie and Alice.
All the students that went home for Christmas had to discard their tree
before they left, and Lou went around to the trash areas and picked up 4 for
nothing. We have the real one
downstairs, and yet have to decorate it.
Dec. 2, 1972
… We arrived at Sam and
Alice’s by 3:30 P.M. and the weather is so warm and pleasant it is
unbelievable. It reminds us of San
Antonio in the winter. The poinsettas
are in bloom, and azalias are in bloom, also cursanthumums, geraniums, and many
many other flowers. It has been 75 or 80
degrees every afternoon. ….
The Christmas decorations on
the main street are fantastic. We still
have to take dad by the temple. He goes
to bed at night by 6:30, and sleeps 12 or 13 hours, but is awake often during
the night. He has been a little
discouraged that he hasn’t gained strength fast enough, altho he has taken
Alice’s stairs once a day up and down, and there is a flight of 20 steps….
Today Jane and Ken are
driving down from San Jose with David.
They are leaving the other 3 children home, and are going to spend the
night here, and go back tomorrow. They
wanted to see Dad on his birthday tomorrow….
Alice and Sam are doing fine,
and Rose is learning to walk. She takes
half a dozen steps and then falls down.
She just loves the pups, and walks round and round their box.
Laurie and Marlin and Will
were going down to Aurora today and cut some Christmas trees. By the way, Laurie and Marlin gave Dad a
Bityhfsy ptrdrny Birthday present the night before we left. It was a copy of the inclosed
certificate. That is, it is inclosed in
all letters except Harold’s and his can’t take an inclosure, so I’ll have to
copy it for Harold. “Certificate”: GOOD
FOR 1 GRANDCHILD–REEDEMABLE MAY 8th (Plus or minus a day or two) The
Palmers.” Then I guess Betty and Blen
made sufficient copies of this letter, so you will have to send your copy on to
Lou along with our love. Betty if you have
an easy Donught recipe Doughnut recipe, please send it on to Harold. Mine is too complicated. As easy drop by the spoonful cake recipe
should do. Also if any of you plan on
sending Harold anything for Christmas perhaps it could be in the form of a little
green stuff so he can get a tape recorder one of these months. We sent a package soon after Karen came to
stay with us in Sept. and he hasn’t received it yet, so I am not going to send
another package. It will be much better
for him to buy his own Christmas over there.
I’m coming to the end of the paper.
Alvin and Bev let us know when you are coming. Lovingly, Mother.
Dec.
17, 1972
Dear Family,
I don’t suppose Harold will
get this letter before Christmas, but the rest of you may. This is the first week since Harold went to
France that we haven’t received a letter from him on either Friday or Sat. I guess the Christmas mail has slowed down.
At any rate, we wish all of
you a very merry Christmas. Today Will
is 17 years old. Laurie and Marlin came
over for dinner. Will got 2 knit shirts
and a pair of slacks. And he had to go to meetings all day long. He was home for 45 minutes so we could have
dinner. He is going to be a shepherd in
the Sunday school play next week. It is
going to be held in the high school auditorium.
Dad went to Priesthood meeting and Sunday school this morning. He wouldn’t go to Sacrament meeting tho, and
he didn’t want me to go. He wants me by
him almost constantly. I find little
time to do even the necessary work. Will
has put up the Christmas lights, and decorated the tree…
As if my typing isn’t bad
enough, Will is playing around with the typewriter. He is the biggest tease of the whole
family. But he got a beautiful haircut
yesterday for his birthday. He was
beginning to look pretty shaggy. Like a
dog. He wants some skis for Christmas, but
he is going to have to earn his own. I
haven’t done one bit of Christmas shopping, and unless I get some done on
Tuesday while we are in Salt Lake, I won’t get any done. Sam took me to a discount store in Los
Angeles one evening, and it was so crowded it frightened me, and I came away
without buying anything.
It is 10:30, and I am getting
incoherent. Laurie and Marlin are having
their family home evening here tomorrow evening, and they are having a turkey
dinner with all the trimmings. Each
couple is bringing something. Laurie is
cooking the turkey over here. We may be
gone to Salt Lake, however Dad was wondering before he went to bed if he could
take the trip.
“Thou that hast given so much to us, give one thing
more...a grateful heart.”
George Herbert
Lovingly,
Mother
Hope David is all well
again. Reminds me when Harold D. had
pneumonia when he was 9 months. Mother
Dec.
26, 1972
Dear Family,
Christmas is over for another
year. Harold your letter came this
morning with your change of address. And
that was a nice Christmas present to be made a senior comp. Before Christmas. The new address is:
65 rue Chateauvert F-26000
Valence, France
Lou and Karen are leaving
tomorrow morning for Lawton, Oklahoma.
Perhaps I had better give his new address while I’m at it. This is where Karen and children will live.:
4751 Motif Manor Blvd.
Fontaine Bleau Apt. D-8
Lawton, Okla. 73501
Dec. 27,
We got up about 7:A.M. Got
Dad dressed, and Will and I and Dad went to Tabiona for the day. Parley knew we were coming so went out and
caught 2 large German Brown trout for Dad.
We took them home, and Helen, Joe and Sally came for dinner.
Dec 3, 1973
Betty I hope Tippy is getting
better. It is too bad you have had so
much trouble with him. Will said he
wanted a Mina bird for Christmas, and I said, No More Animals. Bengy goes out and runs up and down the fence
on the West side, and gets in mud up to is haunches, and has to be bathed
before you can even let him down on the floor.
It isn’t bad when there is snow on the ground, but every other day the
snow is melted.
Harold we were happy to hear
that you had a nice Thanksgiving with the missionaries. Did you ever find out about the man who
fainted in your door-way. It is good to
know that you are going to get a new suit.
Hope you have it by Christmas time.
I even got some fruit leather started while Aunt Jennette was here. ..
Dec 10, 1973
The dentist says I have to
have a crown on the two teeth next to the minus one, and a new tooth
installed. That is going to be my
Christmas present, if I can get it by then.
My mouth is covered with cold sores, and I was to go to the dentist
again tomorrow to have it all done, but it will have to wait at least another
week. Will is up, and sounds like he is
going to school today.
Christmas seems like it
should be a year away. There are very
few lights this year. No town Christmas
lights have been turned on, and if there are, it will be just for a few days
before and after Christmas. I have only
seen 3 Christmas trees in homes. People
just aren’t putting them up this year like they have in the past. We won’t put up any either outside or in this
year. And yet, I guess we should put up
a tree if just for Grandma to let her know it is Christmas. I just don’t seem to have the energy to do it
tho. We have the artificial tree, and I
guess we should get it up.
… I haven’t done anything for
Christmas yet. Will and I went out Sat.
night for a couple of hours, and spent $1.00 We couldn’t find anything we could
afford that we wanted to get. We did buy
Grandma two pair of support hose, that originally sold for $5.95, and we paid
49¢ each for them, and they fit her wonderfully well. I am going back this morning and get 2 more
pair. She wore them all day yesterday,
and wanted to wear them at night too.
Vickie Christensen is coming over this morning to take care of Grandma
while I go out.
Dec 17, 1973
I haven’t sent out a
christmas card. It seems that I have no time
for anything except the necessary things.
I have been contemplating getting a job after the first of the year, and
hiring someone to come in and take care of Grandma while I am gone….
Will and Laurie and I made
some pecan logs for the first time.
First time for me that is. The
first batch the carmel was hard, and Harold that is what you got. Opps.
You weren’t to open them till Christmas, but the last batch was
perfect. With trying to get ready to go
to California by Sat. I have just set that date when everything must be done
for Christmas, and it isn’t getting done.
We have 4 passengers to take with us, and they are going to pay all the
gas, so Will and I will just have to pay maintenance. We just couldn’t afford to go otherwise.
It is after 10 A.M. and
Mother isn’t up yet. I must get her up
and see if she will eat. She hasn’t
eaten enough in 3 days to keep alive. I
broke an arm off my glasses yesterday, and am using an old pair that I can’t
see out of, and this letter is probably a mess.
We wish all of you a Merry Christmas, and hope that you will all be
happy with your families. Harold we
didn’t get your letter last week. It was
probably held up with the Christmas rush, and will probably come today. Hope you have a good Christmas with all the
missionaries, both Sisters and Elders.
Lovingly,
Mother
[PS to Jane and Ken] Are you
planning on going to L.A. the day after Christmas? Alice said you were. Let us know.
Mother.
Jan
7, 1973 [1974]
Dear Family,
It has been a long time since
I wrote a family letter. I took Grandma
Davidson up to Uncle Willard’s on the 19th, of Dec. Made a quilt for Will for Christmas on the 20th. Shampooed the carpets in the apartment on the
21st, and packed for the trip to California about 8:30 that
evening. We left for Los Angeles at
6:A.M. on the 22nd, and it was just starting to rain, but wasn’t
bad. We encountered a little snow
falling between Beaver and Cedar City, and the rest of the trip was clear. We arrived in L.A. and the sun was shining,
and the air was clear. It was
beautiful. Alice and Sam had the most
beautiful poinsettia’s in their yard, but you couldn’t pick them. They wilted within an hour. I would like to have taken some home with
us. Two of their neighbors had orchids
growing. There were chrysanthemums,
carnations, even iris in bloom. They had
a row of small azalias in front of their house and they were in bloom, and the
red bottle brush tree was in bloom everywhere.
Alice and Sam were Joseph and Mary in the Christmas Sunday School
program, and baby Jim was baby Jesus, and he slept thru the whole thing. It was a beautiful scene. Monday morning, on Rose’s birthday we took
off early and went to Disney Land. We
thought since it was the day before Christmas there wouldn’t be any crowds, but
we were wrong. We had a wonderful day
there, and the weather was still clear and sun shinny. We got home around 5:30 and Jane and Ken and
family arrived about 6:P.M. It was
wonderful to see all of them and to have them spend Christmas with us. They had their Christmas the morning of the
24th, and then came to L.A.
It was a hard trip for all of them, but we surely enjoyed every minute
of it. We took the children to the
beach, and ran barefoot up and down the beach, and built sand castles, and John
had a small plane that he and Will and Ken tried to get to fly. Young David isn’t afraid of anything, and we
had to watch him, or he would wander off by himself. The ocean was so clear and beautiful. Every morning I got up early and went for a
walk, and several times we went to the beach just to run. It was the first exercise I had had in
months, and it almost made me feel alive again.
