Grammy

My Grandma Millie in January 1944

Today I pulled out an old letter from my Grammy (see picture) who turned 87 this week. It was in reply to a letter I sent her in early January of 1991 when US troops were heading for Kuwait for the first Gulf War. In my letter I was lamenting our country going to war on the eve of my 16th birthday. Her letter is one of the most treasured bits of correspondence I've ever received. Here is what she wrote...

Feb 8, 1991

Dear Everyone, but most of all Sheena!

Sheena, such a beautiful letter you sent!!

And you are so very right. I can remember vividly that Sunday afternoon getting ready to go to C. E. (Christian Endeavor) the program for young people at church and hearing about the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, how our ships were sunk mercilessly, without ceremony, earlier that morning before people were awake yet. I was almost 16, had completed the first half of the 10th grade - called 10B - it had been moved to the Junior High because the High School in Pontiac [Michigan] was so crowded - and they never did get another high school even started until after the war. All building came to a grinding halt - no more cars were made in Pontiac (until after the war) all efforts and materials, sugar, flour and even shoes were rationed and each person had to have tickets (coupons) in order to buy some. Money didn't matter. And everyone but everyone was patriotic - how we hated those jobs!!! Boys in my class in school joined up and became HEROES!! And many of them never came back.

The high school went on shifts and as soon as I graduated (in January) I got a job typing bills of lading for tanks (not cars) - all Americans were Gung Ho to win the war - no sacrifice was too great - how different from now?? Then in 1944 fall I went to Wheaton College - it was practically all girl students. Any boys were rejects - 4-Fs!! No one had any dates then!!

There were no anti-war demonstrations - my dad bought and promoted Liberty Bonds - and gave some of his shoe coupons to me. He could not buy any new trucks or tires for his business - the old had to last - and we had a Victory Garden so that we wouldn't have to buy veggies - that way the troops could have more to eat. That was the beginning of all the Instants! Instant tea, coffee, soup, cake mix - and nylons [stockings] were invented and if our stockings ran we took them to a department store - they had a mending machine - because we couldn't afford new ones!!! Those were the days and the country was really united like it has never been since.

Well, enough of that I guess.

How are you doing in school now, Sheena? And what hobbies are you into now? What are your favorite books?

Well Carol, we've been thinking - only thinking - about coming to the reunion, but we haven't done anything about it. Can you give us an idea about who will be coming?

The weather here [in the desert of southern California] is about perfect now - 80ish in the afternoon - really pleasant.  Take care.

Love,

Mom & Pop

Grandma & Grandpa