In the spring of 1956, my mother Ruth Mary wrote this letter from Chanute, Kansas, It is written to our father Fred who was stationed as a flight instructor at Anderson Air Base in Malden MO . I was 5 1/2 months old, and my sister Ruth was 2 1/2 years old. . Mama referred to me as Tiny Baby, and Ruth as Baby B, or B.B. . Mama , Ruth Louise and I were living in Chanute, Dolly was in Kansas City, Mo living with our grandmother Nanny , having struggled with eating enough and Mama thought it best for her to live with Nanny and gain a little weight. I am quite sure that our oldest brother Jimmy was also living with Nanny and soon to start his childhood drama and singing career. Mama’s younger brother Joe was also living with Nanny at the house in KC. He had contracted polio and would spend the last 12 years of his life in an iron lung in Nanny’s front room. When Mama came back to KC, she would stay with all of us kids in the upstairs bedroom of Nanny’s house. I will do my best to transcribe the letter, leaving abbreviations and shortened words and phrases as is. This letter is one of many Mama wrote over the years.
I am sharing it today, as my heart goes out to my own Ruth Marie who is sick and has sick kids and sick husband during this cold winter season. I also think of my dear niece Rachel who cares so deeply for her whole family . May this letter bring you a sense of connection to your grandmother who I believe feels your heart and cares for you from beyond.
Dearest – Thanks for the letter and check. I’ve surely been aftraid this week. Called several people see if stay nites, but no luck. I haven’t had good nite’s sleep in mo.
Took Tiny B. For her triple shot da before yes. Tho’t I might go KC for Dolly’s birthday. … T Baby sure was sick all nite and all day yesterday with fever of 102 and 103. Better today, but I’m exhausted. Have cysts on eyes and fever blister and ache all over. Stayed in all day. Didn’t make usual trip for groc. Will see if Gough has polio vaccine order. Wanted B B to get before went and wait a few days to see if any react before contact Dolly as seems there is danger of one having vaccine of passing polio germ to a relative or contact.
If don’t have in tomorrow will go KC Sun or Mon if I feel like it. Tiny B wakes up at 6:00 and Jo has fit if we get up before 8:00. I don’t like staying in room trying keep quiet and being hungry too for 2 hours. He sure makes it unpleasant for me there.
You don’t know how hard it is for me write letter. BB not only wants paper, pencil, envel but insists on stamp too. She’s outside for min . She’s sure fussy and irritable. Suppose needs playmate.
Mrs. Burns to borrow hi chair today. Borrowed books other day. Maybe should charge rent.
B B coming –
Enclosed very funny. Please keep.
Love you,
RM
Secrets from Granny 