DAY 3 -- ADVENT 2023

The Dobson Family, c. 1918: Julian, Vance, Myrtle, Ina, Shirley; seated -- Ethel and Earle

THINKING OF THE CHILDREN

Out of the welter of Christmas plans comes this letter and how I wish I were coming to you with it or better still that you were coming home. No use to think of these things though, and I hope and trust you’ll be with friends and be cheered and happy. – Ina to her son Vance

Ina would have liked nothing better than to host a reunion of her family at Christmas, but it was not to be. This afternoon as she dozed in her rocking chair, her thoughts drifted to her children:

·      Pearl, the eldest, lived in northern Alberta with her husband and son. They came seldom, and winter travel in the intermountain region was ill-advised if not impossible. They planned to come next summer, and Ina looked forward to it.

·      Ina could count on Myrtle, plucky and independent, to get on the train and come home from Portland. Yes, Myrtle would be here.

·      Earle, a teacher in Idaho Falls, spent his summer vacation with them to help with the farming. He never came home in winter, but they needed him in the summer, so Ina accepted his absence with grace.

·      Ethel’s husband was in government service and visits were infrequent, but Ethel loved Christmas on the farm. She last visited the Christmas of 1930. Hopefully she would come again -- but not this year.

·      And Vance – Now, Vance was stubborn about coming home any time of year, but in Ina’s view, he needed to keep in touch with his roots. And at Christmas, Vance was a great asset to the festivities. When he played the piano, the house was filled with rich-sounding melodies, and all were roused to sing out with gusto. No, it just wasn’t the same without Vance.

“No use to think of these things,” Ina said to herself. She was so grateful that Shirley was with her. At 23, Shirley was efficient and dependable, and they did have such fun together, preparing gifts, baking, and planning the holiday festivities. KW

[Pearl was already married and living in Alberta when this family photo was taken.]