Tag Archives: Virginia Zell

A New Lens (Gladys)

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1943-12-23 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
12-23-43

Dear Daddy – Today David is 15 months old. He spent the afternoon with Jimmy while I went to Laf. with Dorothy. I went to get my glasses repaired. David broke the left lense – I glued it but thought I should get a new lense – but the optical shop was closed, so my trip was unnecessary. However I did some shopping for Mrs. Zell. Since Virginia’s accident Mrs. Z. hasn’t been able to get away to do much shopping. I saw Dr. Cole in the Foster shop. This being Thurs. I asked him how he got away. He said he told his wife not to try and find him for a few hours. Said he has delivered 498 babies so far this year. I suppose he will make the 500 mark yet this year. Arlene is to go down the day after Christmas if not before. Coke brought us a box of candy for Christmas. I had a handkerchief to give her. Last year the cheese co. gave the neighborhood boxes of cheese. John & Mark are listening to Baby Snooks. They get out of school tomorrow at 11:30. Both are getting very anxious to open their Christmas gifts. We have received boxes from both Ruths & Jim. Your Mother said she had things to send but had the flu so didn’t know when she would get things sent out. I sent your folks another year subscription to Reader’s Digest. I haven’t been over to see Virginia yet today so must go see her and take the things I bought for Mrs. Z.

Love Mother

YEG1943-12 David 14.5 months

David at 14.5 months

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: http://genealogylady.net/2015/08/25/a-new-lens-gladys/

A Habit of Hollering (Gladys)

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1943-12-22 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
12-22-43

Dear Daddy – Another day nearer Christmas. Ruth called me last night about coming over. I told her it depended on the weather. The temp. has been dropping today and is to get below zero tonight. If it starts to snow we will remain home. I took some pink ruffled curtains we used at the Davis house over to Zells and put them up in Virginia’s room. She has to stay in bed 3 wks. The tree is in her room and I took one of the lamp shades that turn round & round for her to watch. I can see the tree from the dining room window. It was so cold today I didn’t take David out. Lucile came out with Jimmy and he was so cold I thought David would be better off not to go out. I gave Jimmy a haircut. David tries to take everything away from Jimmy – also David has a habit of hollering at the top of his voice that sometimes scares Jimmy. A ck. came for dividends on the pd. up policy – ($5.62). I deposited it and the $26⁰⁰ ck. to apply on the premiums due next month. John is home from school and starting his home work. Mark has been here and gone back to town for something. He is very busy since he has some money to spend. He bought $5⁰⁰ in stamps. John hasn’t spent much of his. I will put David’s in a bond. David is very busy now and John is trying to keep him out of things.

Love, Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/23/a-habit-of-hollering-gladys/ ‎

Cracked Skull (Gladys)

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1943-12-21 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
12-21-43

Dear Daddy – Two letters came today (Dec. 8 & 9). I had five yesterday up to Dec. 12. Also your cable greeting. Sorry we can’t return a cable but sent a regular greeting and some extra good pictures of David and hope you get them this week. Lucile is bringing Jimmy out and I am going to take care of the two boys while Lucile goes to club – she is on the committee and should attend. It is so nice out today I want to keep the boys out in the sunshine a while. Dr. M. gave Zells the report on the X-ray – Virginia has a crack in the back of her head and he says all they can do is keep her quiet. She has been very ill from the fall and is just beginning to eat, after a week since the accident. I stopped to see Arlene – she hasn’t gone to the hospital. Bill has the flu and Dr. C. told her if she got it to go right to the hospital. She hasn’t any help yet – Louise got the flu and being pregnant hasn’t recovered very rapidly. Dienharts have another baby (girl). I think it came a little too soon. Betty had to have a section done for the first baby – I see Jimmy & Bobby out playing together. The Zell girls are not out today. Betty won’t have to go to school this week – the first & second grades were dismissed until vacation is over due to so many being absent with cold, etc. So with Virginia home, all the Zell girls are home. It’s about time for Lucile to come.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/21/cracked-skull-gladys/ ‎

Christmas is Coming (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
12-20-43

Dear Daddy –

Your five letters of Dec. 4 to 12 came today and your Christmas cable. Thanks. Also several other greetings and one Ins. notice. Those keep coming right along with greetings. Two of your letters contained pictures – you look good in all of them. Mark was quite impressed with the Darby boys. I think they all look very English, am I right?

I addressed greeting [cards] last night and have more to do today. I am placing greetings received on the mantle, standing so they can all be seen. The tree stands by the S.E. living room window. David goes to it and jabbers, or just goes oooh!

[page 2] If we say, “David, where is the Christmas tree? He will go right to it. I was busy in the kitchen this a.m. and he got busy with the packages. No damage done, I got to him before he could open anything. He has never cared for orange juice – you remember he couldn’t take it until he was about a yr. old and hasn’t yet cultivated the taste as he should. I usually have to insist on him finishing his daily cup, and it is a job. Sometimes I am tempted to dispense with the juice and give him Vit. C in tablet form, like I did for so long. What’s your opinion? David is asleep now and when he wakes up I want to take him out in the sunshine which is really bright today. He enjoys his buggy rides so much. Had a card from Art and he is in Bethesda, 14 Maryland. National Naval Medical Center.

[page 3] You might want to send him a greeting. He said after a few weeks there he will go to the Pacific. Said there was more gold braid there (Md) than corpsmen.

John went back to school this morning. Dr. Glick was there examining all who had been out or had colds in the past two weeks. He didn’t examine John very closely when he told him he didn’t have a cough. There are cases of chicken pox around. Not worried about J. & M. bringing that home to D. This epidemic that has been around hasn’t been flu, but milder. However, it was prevalent enough to necessitate closing some schools. Some people think an open winter causes epidemics, but I have never yet been able to get the point. Personally, you know I like the milder weather, and think I am more apt to get flu, etc., in the sub-zero weather.

I saw Bobby out today but didn’t get to ask him about Arlene. I

[page 4] am wondering if she will get her wish about having a baby on Christmas day.

Just had to answer the phone – Chet Van Scoyck just called to tell me he was sending over 2 ton of good coal. I didn’t tell him I got that much last week, but figure I had better take it when we can get it. There is a lot of difference in the way the furnace has operated since getting the better coal last week. Mr. Monroe was out this a.m. to check things & oil. He comes every 60 days regularily. He came a few times off schedule when the pins broke every few days.

Zells are going to take Virginia for an X-Ray today. I do hope she doesn’t have a fracture. She is much better today than she has been.

I am afraid this warm weather will spoil Mark’s sport – skating – He was over there all afternoon yesterday. I’ll remind him to write you this evening. He has started spending the $10⁰⁰ – wanted to get Virginia something nice so bought her a $1⁰⁰ bottle of cologne.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/19/christmas-is-coming-gladys/ ‎

Reclaimed Rubber (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec. 18 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters today but rec’d several this week – Also the boys got their Christmas money. John wrote you a v-mail last night – I’ll get Mark to write this evening. He is out skating this afternoon. He kept David out for about an hour in his buggy then I told him he could go skate. He gets so much fun from skating. We rec’d a box from R. M. this a.m. She wants us to come for Christmas but I couldn’t promise her anything depending on the weather. Before we got the better coal I couldn’t consider going because the furnace needed constant attention. Mrs. Zell said they would take care of it for us but I thought that was too much bother for them. And now that Virginia is in bed think they have enough to do. The Dr. hasn’t taken an x-ray yet. Says

[page 2] she shouldn’t be moved yet. I wonder if she has a basal facture. Will just have to wait for the x-ray to find out.

David has had a long nap. The fresh air made him sleep longer than usual. He is just waking up and sounds a little cross. I am just going to keep writing until he gets demanding. He loves to go out. Yesterday I took him for a walk. It had been so cold that was the first he had been out since Sun. I am enclosing some pictures Ed took of the two babies. It was hard to get them in the right mood together for a picture. I think the one of D. alone is very good. He is turned a little to the side but it’s a good profile picture. Can’t say so much for myself but was trying to get David to behave.

We worked on floors today. This soft reclaimed rubber in the heels mark the floors just like crayon. I took the boys shoes & had leather heels put on. It’s no easy job to steel wool the floors, and this is

[page 3] the third time this fall we have done the job. I hope the new heels eliminate the cause of all this scouring.

The check came today for the dividends on the three policies ($26.52) and a notice about the one policy being paid up. That check will take care of more than 1/3 of premiums due in Jan.

John has been listening to the usual Sat. p.m. opera. I sat and listened a while & knitted. I was tired from working on the floor so took that means to rest. John has a book on Italian operas and follows thru the operas with his book, when it’s an Italian.

The enclosed greeting came today so I just readdressed their envelope. I enclosed the v-mail in a letter one day this week they had sent here to be sent on to you. I have a greeting I am sending to them. I have a stack of greetings to send out and must get busy and get them in the mail.

[page 4]  I went to town this morning to buy groc. but didn’t pick up any news but maybe Boonie will write and give you all the low down. He let me read your letter the other day when I stopped in to get the paper (no delivery now). He told me right away he knew where Col. Wilkie is, so you know how he delights in spreading the news.

David is out of doors again with Mark. Mark came home from the pond with being called.
Love Mother

YEG1943-12 Gladys, David, Lucile and Jimmy Ed

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/15/reclaimed-rubber-gladys/

A Conceited Little Thing (John)

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1943-12-17 (JFY)Letter transcription:

John Yegerlehner
KENTLAND
INDIANA
12-17-43

Dear Daddy,

I want to thank you for the Christmas present you sent me. I received it yesterday morning but I was sick yesterday so I didn’t write you till today. I will have to buy a nice present for Mother and also something for Virginia Zell who is in bed with a brain concussion. I already have what I’m going to give Mark and David. David is a conceited little thing. We showed him some pictures of himself and he looked at them and said “Pretty.” He says “pretty” almost every time he sees a button and when he sees the Christmas tree. He likes to watch it but he puts his hands on it and takes the little lamps that go around off. If things keep on the same he may have callouses on his hands before long. Oh, I guess he’s not that bad. Thanks again,

You son
John

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/13/a-conceited-little-thing-john/ ‎

Christmas Cards (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec. 16 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

We really caught up with the mail or rather it caught up with us today. The three money orders came along with three letters for me. You inquired about finances in one letter. I have given you some reports lately but our bank bal. at present is $25⁰⁰ and with Jan. 1 check I will have to pay Ins. (John Hancock $50.26 & $11.60). I couldn’t believe I had used so much money during the past year but I have all the cancelled checks and they tell the story. I’ll send you a detailed statement a little later. Of course the hospital expenses made a little of the total but it was just one of those things and I was glad I could keep it paid. Our house payments are down to $44.47 now. John didn’t go to school today and is getting quite bored at home. He said he didn’t feel just right this morning, so I took his temp to be sure and he had 2/5 of a degree. I told him not to go to school if he felt he should stay home. He has had no rise

[page 2] in temp. all day but I think he is just as well off to miss a day of school. He said he felt like you was taking a cold but it isn’t developing very fast if he has any. So many keep going to school with colds – one boy in his class has a very bad cold and keeps going every day. John was very much disgusted with him for not staying home. John has had the radio on all day to help pass the time. I think he will be glad to get back to school

Mark wanted to take his money order to school and get it cashed on the way home but I told him he could go back to town after school so he decided he could wait. David of course just said oooh! Or something equally intelligent when I showed him his money order. His pictures came so will send them out today. I think you will agree they are very good of him. I assure you he looks exactly like them.

Virginia Zell is improving. Dr. M. is going to X-ray her head tomorrow afternoon. I was over to see her this morning and she was awake and seemed normal. Dr. said she would have to remain in bed three weeks. I am anxious to get the X-ray report as to whether there is a fracture or not.

[page 3] It is warmer today – was above zero this a.m. instead of below. Those few degreed seem to make so much difference to me. There is a light snow on which will stay unless we have a sudden warm spell.

Ruth wants us to come over there for Christmas, but I am not going to plan on it because of the weather. If it warms up and the roads are not slick we may go. Your Mother wanted to know if we were planning to come down, but I hadn’t been. It would be too far to go in this kind of weather I think.

We have rec’d a few greetings. Got one from Jewell. She wrote a note – said Dot’s husband had been rejected. Dot’s baby is just a few weeks younger than David. Margaret’s husband is in the Army and Uncle G. is living with Marg. Hazel’s son Paul left Mon. for the Navy. He is married and they have a new baby.

You were wondering about E. Wilson going to the Army – The law about pre-Pearl Harbor fathers doesn’t seem to make much difference when the local draft board runs out of single men, and that seems to be the case here, or at least that is what I understand. Ed Johnson’s Co. got him a deferment, but Lucile thinks he may go when this deferment is up. She

[page 4] says he won’t ask for a deferment himself. I was in the 10₵ store and some woman asked Bill Zimmerman something about him being in the service and he said Uncle Sam had all the good men already – I suppose he didn’t pass the physical in Indpls. I knew he was to take his exam in Oct. and I didn’t ask him any questions, because I didn’t want to be nosey. I have an idea Floyd might pass the next time, if the demands gets hard enough.

Louise Krull Glenn has a new baby girl – 9 lbs. I was in the restaurant yesterday and the call came for Nick while I was there. Mrs. Krull closed her house and has been staying with Louise. Johnnie is such a big child – looks more like a 4 yr. old than 27 months.

Your acc’t of frying chicken was good. Wish I could have a picture of that – You should be able to pinch hit – you had good training at home.

I must get this finished so it will go out on the evening mail.

Here’s hoping you have a Merry Christmas – I know you won’t receive it until after the 25th but maybe by Jan. 1.

Love Mother
P.S. the enclosed came today – thought you would rather have the original than a reproduction.

YEG1943-11

David, 14 months, November 1943

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/10/christmas-cards-gladys/

Virginia (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec. 15 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters yet this week – The boys are anxiously looking for theirs, but I told them the mail may be delayed at this time of the year.

It was 1 below in Chi. this a.m. and not much warmer here. It is still very cold. Harlans sent us some Ky. Coal this a.m. – The driver didn’t leave the ticket but it looks like about 2 ton and with what we had left of last year’s good coal – I think there was nearly 2 ton. We should get along pretty good now thru the coldest part of the winter. Dad shoveled what was left of the good coal back to one side and we used up the other that I had put in Nov. 1 first. Now maybe we can get the stoker re-regulated so it won’t require attention as often as it has been.

Virginia Zell fell last night and got a bump on the back of her head – she was in their basement and fell on

[page 2] the cement floor. Mrs. Zell called Dr. M. He was just leaving his office and came right out. He put her to bed and told them to keep ice packs on her head. She has been throwing up all the time. He wants to take her in for an X-ray but won’t move her until she stops throwing up. I haven’t talked to Mrs. Z. since the middle of the morning. I made hash & pumpkin pies for lunch and sent over enough for them at noon when J. & M. came home. I knew she wouldn’t have much time to cook, watching Virginia. Dr. M. told them last night that she was doing satisfactorily however I was out in the kitchen washing dishes and he came out to use the telephone and he told me it was a bad bump. I went over and helped out a little after I got David off to bed and we had our supper. Mrs. Z. was in the basement washing when it happened so I hung up the clothes for her. They have been such good neighbors, I like to help them when I can.

I got a notice from the P.O. that David’s pictures are in so I want to go to town after J. & M. come from school and get them. Will try to get two mailed out to you tomorrow.

I went to Sheldon yesterday – Had a bill from Brands for $49 – I knew there was a drastic error.

[page 3] The bookkeeper didn’t even know where she had gotten the figure. I pd. 6 mo. locker rent. The locker here should be ready by then – if we have one. If not I can pay the rest of the rent when it’s due. I ordered half a hog from Brands. There is a surplus of pork on the market and we are being urged over the radio to buy pork. The beef I got last was mostly steaks and as much as I like steak, like to supplement it with a little something else now & then. Also might not get another steak quarter next time and might want to save a few of these for someone who likes boiled steaks – eh what?

J. & M. are home – J. is practicing and I have a headache, so think I’ll go over and see about Virginia, then go to town and take care of the telephone bill, etc. Said headache is due to certain causes other than faulty glasses. I haven’t mailed but 2 greetings so far, and the P.O. is urging us to mail early.

I must get along –
Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/08/08/virginia-gladys/

The Finances (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Dec. 3 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

No letters for four days but maybe a bunch will come tomorrow or Mon. It is a typical grey wintry day – however not very cold. The checks just came today so must go to the bank and make a dep. I am running low, but will try to give you some idea about the status of our finances when I get thru writing. At least we won’t have to pay int. on Ins. loans this Dec. I paid the balance on the piano today. Had it tuned and that cost $5⁰⁰. I will pay all the groc. bills, etc., while downtown this afternoon. I am keeping all bills paid – that is why I am so short of cash on hand but I would rather not allow bills to accumulate. I am not going to spend much on Christmas gifts this year. There isn’t much use to go shopping – the stores just haven’t the stock for the Christmas trade they had last year. Had a letter from Ruth M. and she wants to either come here or us go there for Christmas. I wasn’t planning to go to C.C. I think it isn’t best to take David away during the cold weather to stay so long. There too would have to get the neighbors to look after the furnace and that is too much trouble to ask of anyone. I think I am going to suggest the Mutchlers coming here, if they can manage their gas situation. I would much rather stay home. Dorothy has asked us to come there for the day, but family comes first and if we can arrange with Ruth will spend the day with them here or there.

[page 2] Leo Sondgerath had a ruptured appendix. He is in St. E. and seems to be getting along, according to the Newton Co. E. Bluford Healy had pneumonia and was quite serious, but is better now. His wife went to Ft. Bliss, Texas, to be with him last week.

David woke up a little grouchy from his nap. It isn’t sunny today so won’t take him out in his buggy. Will go in the car so I can get groceries. I am buying homogenized milk for him at Bair’s now and today is when the fresh supply comes in (Tues. & Fri.). He tries to say some words when we talk. So far we have to guess at most of his words or expressions. Mark is pretty good at interpreting his talk. He is trying to feed himself and I think will soon be able to manipulate spoon from bowl to mouth without too much loss of food on the way. John and Mark played Monopoly last night and had Virginia come over and play with them. I told them no arguments or I wouldn’t allow them to play. They do pretty good.

I saw “Ma” out chasing Jimmy. He wants to stay out and she wants him to go in. He runs and she can’t catch him. She hadn’t been so well, but now that we aren’t out in the yard much I don’t see her much. I think Irene goes to Chi. for thyroid treatment quite often. She isn’t to have an operation but takes iodine. The Factory is building an addition and intend to move the Chi. Plant here. I think the new addition will be almost as large as the original.

I must do some figuring so I can go to town and give you an idea about finances. I hear a plane going over – sounded so low – might have touched the tree tops. Every time I hear one go over I think it might be bringing you home.

Love – Mother

(over)
By the time all current bills are paid there won’t be much balance if any – but maybe next month it won’t be so bad – or will it?

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/10/the-finances-gladys/

Army vs. Navy (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Nov. 27 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Nov. 19 came today – making almost as good time as at your last station. Just hope mine gets thru as quickly to you. Sat. P.M. & the football game tuned in and John listening. It’s Army & Navy playing today. Mark is building a model plane for Bobby. Bobby stays in a while then says he must go out & play with his kidlets meaning Jimmy & Martha. David is asleep. Mark took him out for an airing and a little sunshine after lunch but it was so cold I brought him back in after about 15 minutes. I hung a few things on the line and they froze so brought the colored things back in and John hung them in the basement. With my throat & sinus being so sensitive this year I figured it wasn’t worth hanging clothes out and take the chance of making my throat sore. We went to Laf. yesterday and took Mark to see Dr. Cole. He gave me a prescription for Sulfamerazine and I brought it here to be filled. The drug stores here haven’t merazine so had to call Laf. to get it. Mark just has a slight head cold but those things can grow into something worse and I know Sulfas nip those cold bugs but I don’t like to give sulfa without Doctor’s instruction. I kept Mark home all week from school due to signs of nervousness. He, I think, has been playing too hard since school started and I hadn’t been making him go to bed early – however there is a new ruling for Mark – he goes to bed at 8:30. I think with plenty of rest and not so much strenuous play he will soon be himself again. He is taking Vi Delta now too. I didn’t give either J. or M. the oral cold shots this year. I can understand how he would get a cold bug – with my throat & sinus bothering me all fall.

I saw Dorothy this a.m. She was in Chicago with Marie Steinbaugh yesterday & Marie fainted. If you rec’d all my letters you know Marie had one breast removed some time ago and has been taking X-ray treatment all fall. However the clinic had dismissed her. Dorothy took her to Billings and she had an X-ray made but couldn’t stay in the

[page 2] hospital – no beds – They are going to write the clinic for her first X-rays and she is to go back to Billings later.

You remember the Couch family – you delivered the 8th baby. Mr. Couch died this week. I was told his trouble was his blood turned to water. He was in St. E. Hospital then was brought home just before he died.

Just now on the radio there is a broadcast from a Navy Sub (Capt. Steve Basket) & Army Bomber (Col. Ed Garbarge) – two former Army & Navy football players carrying on a conversation about the game they played in several (20) years ago. This conversation was brought into the broadcast at West Point.

I talked to Dr. Cole yesterday about Mother’s illness. He said the cancer was in the head of the pancreas and had probably been there a year. I didn’t get a written report on it but didn’t think it was necessary, after he explained it to me. There was a partial obstruction, due to the growth.

The Zells are having their first fried chicken from the flock they started in Sept. and we are invited to dinner tomorrow. They are all “sold” on David. They want a boy so much and they have been very much interested in David since his arrival. Of course you have been informed from different sources about David’s personality and can understand his popularity. Mrs. Zell says their children didn’t have good appetites when they were babies, and David does a very good job of eating, and they enjoy watching him eat. I am giving him hemoganized (boiled) milk now. Have to get it from Bans.

My new lenses seem a little strange today, but the man at the optical co. adjusted the frames so they fit better.

I have to write a letter to Pauline. She asked me to buy some sleepers for James L. She couldn’t find any out there in “those wide open spaces.” I got two pr. and must send them out to her today so she will get them soon. IT sure takes a lot of time to keep up my correspondence, but I like to receive letters so must write if I receive.

I will again wish you a Merry Christmas and hope you get the boxes we sent. This is one time you will have to overlook the smallness of the gift and remember the spirit it was sent in.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/07/01/army-vs-navy-gladys/