INA'S CHRISTMAS MEMORIES, 1937 (DAY 1)

Out of the welter of Christmas plans comes this [post], and how I wish I were coming to you with it or better still that you were coming [here]. No use to think of these things though, and I hope and trust you’ll be with friends and be cheered and happy. – Ina,1932 – and Kathy, 2021

It was Wednesday morning, December 1, 1937. Ina sat at the dining room table, sipping a cup of coffee and pensively examining the December calendar she had removed from the kitchen wall. A pad and pencil were at the ready. Her husband Jack had already finished his coffee (and a few gingersnaps) and returned to his chores in the barn.

Ina observed that Christmas Day would be on Saturday this year. It was always nice when the celebration was on the weekend, and the church service on Sunday would prolong the occasion and make it all the more special.

Ina always looked forward to Christmas. It helped to pass the winter. She loved to do for others, though she didn’t have cash money to spend. She chuckled to herself that she could make quite a lot of somethings out of nothings – and have a good time doing it! She put a lot of thought into the gifts she would send to her children and grandchildren. She would see to it that each one was well-remembered. And – she just couldn’t help but look forward to the gifts she would receive, too. Her children were good about remembering her, their dad, and each other, too.

Henry & Shirley / Ina & Jack -- June 24, 1937

Truth be told, Ina was feeling a little down today. After a courtship of five years, Shirley, her youngest child – and the one who had been at home the longest – had finally married Henry last June, and they were living and working in town. Ina would miss Shirley’s company as she prepared for Christmas – and even more, she would miss providing the little extra gifts for Shirley as she had these last years when they were companions in the farm work. But – she brightened at the thought that at least Shirley – and Henry, of course – would be home for Christmas.

The world was in such an awful state what with the Depression and hard times for so many. Ina had her opinions of FDR’s programs, but she conceded to herself that something had to be done. In England, the heir apparent to the British throne had abdicated, and in Germany, some fellow named Hitler was cause for concern. Ina kept up with the world as best she could from her farmhouse in remote central Idaho, and she would continue to do so, but she resolved to put such worries out of her mind – nothing she could do about it anyway – and have a quiet, contemplative holiday. Yes, that’s what she would do. KW

[In reality, Ina Dickson Dobson (1870-1957) was my grandmother. This advent presentation is based on her holiday correspondence as well as other family letters, and the story is fictionalized family history.]