It’s that time of year again when friends and families come together to celebrate the holidays. Some travel back home for gatherings, or in our digital age, those who are miles apart can visit in real time during a group video call. Still, there are those, like me, who send greetings to loved ones the “old fashioned” way—with cards and letters via the postal service. For those with whom I do not communicate as often as I would like, I find this a perfect time to let people know I am thinking about them.
In turn, I enjoy reading the cards I receive, particularly those that include family pictures that document changes over the years. Some cards and letters hold special meaning and those I make sure to keep. I was delighted that I was not the only one in my family who had some letters saved. When going through a box of my grandmother Marjorie’s items I found a letter from her mother Lydia.
Lydia and Charles Fowler, my great grandparents, lived in Uniontown, PA. Lydia had some health issues that would put her in bed for days at a time. Their unmarried daughter Maggie resided with them and likely helped her mother with household duties until Maggie became ill with cancer. Shortly after Maggie’s death in December of 1931, Charles and Lydia “broke up housekeeping” as my grandmother would say.
Charles, who belonged to the Oddfellows lodge and had served as an officer, decided to move to the Oddfellows Home in Grove City PA. This was some distance from their daughters, and perhaps sensing that she would not see her daughters much, Lydia planned to spend time visiting her girls before she joined Charles at the home. At one daughter’s house Lydia fell and broke her hip; needing care, she ended up staying with my grandmother for a time. My mother told how Lydia would sit in a rocking chair and scoot it around the room, as she was not able to walk.
Sometime during 1932, Lydia finally made it to the Home in Grove City to be with her husband; however, they were together just a short time before Charles died in November of 1932. After 56 years of marriage, Christmas 1932 was the first Christmas Lydia spent without her husband or other family members. A few days after Christmas, ninety years ago, Lydia wrote a letter to Marjorie, whom she called Madge. Lydia recounted her holiday and despite not having family with her, her letter sounds joyful and grateful.
When I read this letter, I felt connected to Lydia because the few details she described enabled me to picture her evening. I am glad my grandmother kept this letter and that I can share it with others. Below is a copy of Lydia’s letter from Christmas 1932. In it she mentioned feeling like a “grown up kid”, and perhaps that was the magic of the season. May these holidays hold the delight and joy to make us experience that childlike wonder once again.
Wishing everyone Happy Holidays and New Year!
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