Letter to Bert from Elsie

To Bert --

 

In looking back through the years, raising three children from infancy until their marriages has been a wonderfully and eventful part of our married years.

 

As young and new parents, we approached parenting with doubts, fears, and resolution to do our best.  As each child arrived, we were happy to have another little one to love.  We made mistakes, too, -- boy did we make some mistakes -- but the Good Lord helped us every step of the way.  We’re very proud and happy that our son and daughters grew up to be good responsible people.

 

Each one of them with their different personalities, needs and desires has left us with delightful memories that have not faded with the years; such as when Joanne completed her college years (June 7, 1969) and started marriage (June 14, 1969).  This was possibly the most hectic and happy time for all of us to remember.  As a matter of fact, I always said I’d write the story and call it “The Two Weeks That Was.”  Somehow things always got a little more hectic when you were involved.

 

Just prior to this, we had a costume sale – the finale to our Skateland Skating Shows.  We had a whole attic filled with various and unusual costumes that took a long time to gather, stage, and decide on a price.  Next -- there was the annual chore of getting the cottage ready for my dad’s summer tenants and bringing cousin Bertha (Weinar) back to her farm in Willow River by Memorial Day.

 

On Sunday, June 1, 1969, David Steven McGraw was born.  Mary was more-than-a-month overdue!  How she would laugh when the bridal shop would call and say, “Mrs. McGraw, could you please come in for a fitting?” 

                                                                                                Love,

                                                                                                Elsie