Well, “they say” you don’t have to answer
a Christmas card -- see – till next Christmas. It
is more in the nature of a gift, so to speak, tho I’ve always hated not to do
so. My way is to get a supply of New Year cards; then if I’m caught a few lines
on the card fixes it or the card alone, see! -- Ina
The family awoke to a skiff of snow
on the ground. Discussion ensued over whether Sadie should go to school. Farm
children must be resilient, Ina argued. Going to school in all sorts of weather
conditions was a part of the experience. Then Jack said he would be glad to
carry her on horseback, which everyone agreed was the best solution.
While Ina argued for school
attendance, she thought back to her own children and remembered how she taught
Vance at home until he was eight for several reasons, one of which was that he
was small for his age. (The Dobson children came in all shapes and sizes, Vance
and Ethel being short and small-boned.)
In the afternoon, Jack hitched the
wagon and carried Ethel to the schoolhouse for her appointment with Miss
Johnson. Ethel was grateful for the ride because the morning’s moisture had
turned the ground to mud. Since Jack was waiting, the meeting with the teacher was
rather rushed, but Sadie had already shown Miss Johnson the play they had
written out, and with the teacher filling in the gaps with songs and poems, the
program quickly took shape. Ethel agreed to write out certain parts for the
student actors to learn, and they would begin practice on Wednesday during the
last hour of school. Ethel was invited to attend if possible.
The day had been overcast and gloomy
– what Ina called a “dull” day, and now was quickly growing dark. Ethel thanked
Jack for his willingness to provide transportation. Fact was, though, that at
this time of year Farmer Jack wasn’t so busy that he couldn’t help out. As they
passed the mailbox, he retrieved a nice stack of addressed mail, which they all
knew were Christmas cards. 
The family had a light supper of homemade
chicken soup and bread. As soon as the dishes were done, they gathered around
the table to open the Christmas cards and share the simple wishes for a blessed
holiday season. Ina read the letters, which they all enjoyed whether or not
they knew the writer personally. Sadie already knew that this time of togetherness
would be one of her favorite memories forever. KW
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