And
now we catch up to the year at hand – 1937. Ina is busy getting ready for Christmas,
so we’ll leave her to it for a day or two.
This
is the last Christmas related in this series of letters written by Ina – May 1932 to January
1938 – most of them before and after Christmas. Even though my dad (Vance) didn’t
return home for Christmas in that time frame, I feel something about his mother’s
celebration tugged at his heartstrings. I don’t know what motivated him to save
these letters, but everyone knew that the small family farm was becoming a
thing of the past, and he probably saw that this was an era of change, not just
for his family but for the world.
Because
of the photos posted here, I know that in 1937, my Aunt Lynn (Myrtle) spent Christmas
with my dad in Raymond, WA, where he was a piano teacher. They were ten years apart
in age. She was 43; he was 33.
I have no written summary of this Christmas in Raymond, but a picture is worth a
thousand words, as we say. I get the feeling of a cozy Christmas celebration.
Undoubtedly,
they enjoyed several good meals, including seafood. I’m sure that Ina wished
they had come home for an old-fashioned holiday reunion on the farm, but
failing that, she was pleased that they would have Christmas together. I’m sure
she thought of them as cheered and happy. KW
Look! The holly decoration on the window and table. I guess I get to see it after all.
ReplyDeleteAnd the candles -- long tapers. Back in the day, the decorations were simple but effective. I love the way it looks. The greens went up quickly, and removal was easy.
ReplyDeleteWe could give it a try. Pine cones are also decorative, and we have lots. Silas can help decora with glitter and glue.