In Monday’s post, I shared how blogging has brought me together with other bloggers and how nice it is to meet them in person.
Another aspect of blogging is, due to my posts about my family having once lived in historic Bacon’s Castle, I have come to know some very distant relatives. Some of those I’ve just communicated with online, and others I’ve met in person. I’ve also been reunited with some “long lost” known relatives.
Such is the case with my first-cousin, Carol, daughter to my mom’s youngest brother, Stanley. Carol and I haven’t seen each other in many years, but we’re friends on Facebook. That came about because her niece found my blog post regarding our family ties to Bacon’s Castle. Since then, Carol and I have occasionally shared old family photos.
Last week, she sent me a picture of her dad as a very young man. She also sent this, a note my mom wrote to Uncle Stanley in 1977:
I apologize that the image is so small. Here’s a transcript of her note:
Dear Stanley,
I hope this will be the first card you receive after….going in the hospital. You have evened up the number of our family to be operated on for our gall bladder, but it is good to have it out. I got along fine and feel good. Hope your family is fine, wish we were all closer to you for your family is the most help in the way you feel. Do take care of yourself. Love, Donnie (Say hello to all.)
You may be able to see the image well enough to see that some words are spelled incorrectly, and the punctuation isn’t perfect. In Mom’s growing up years, schooling wasn’t nearly as important, especially in rural areas, as it is in today’s world. Children went to school sporadically, working on the farm when necessary and helping to care for younger siblings. At that time, schools were few and far between. I don’t think Mom or any of her siblings went beyond about 8th or 9th grade.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen Mom’s handwriting. This note tugged at my heartstrings, and Mother’s Day week seems a good time to share it.
Thank you, Carol, for sharing this little note with me.
~These Days Of Mine~
these days of mine 