I thought you should know Mike and I had a baby girl on
September first. I realize Daddy said I wasn't to contact
either of you ever again, but I felt you'd want to know
you had a granddaughter.
We named her Lesley Louise and she weighed 8 pounds.
Lesley because it seems like such a pretty name and Louise
after you, Momma. Mike wasn't home to take me to the
hospital, so Gertie Burkhart, who lives next door, drove
me. My labor took almost twenty hours. I thought I was
going to die, but all that pain was worth it the first
time I got to hold my daughter. She's a beautiful baby,
Momma. She has your nose and Mike's forehead, with soft
wisps of blond hair. I think her eyes are going to be
blue, but the nurse told me we won't be able to tell until
Lesley is six weeks old.
I wonder what the future holds for my baby girl. Will she
grow up to be smart and pretty? Will she have a chance to
finish high school? Dare I dream that one day she'll go to
college the way I always hoped I would? Mike says asking
questions like that is a waste of time. Still, I can't
help wondering if those were the same questions you had
when I was born, Momma. Did you love me as much as I love
my baby? I'm sure you did and I can't believe you no
longer love me now.
Mike and I are doing all right. We live in Washington
State โ it seems so far away from Mississippi. We're
renting a two-storey house and Mike's uncle got him a job
at the lumber mill. He's working lots of hours and I've
been putting a little bit aside every week for when the
mill shuts down, which it seems to do on a regular basis.
Unfortunately, Mike was so excited the night Lesley was
born that he got drunk and was arrested. I had to use the
money I'd saved to bail him out of jail.
I miss you, Momma. I'm not any of those ugly names Daddy
called me.
If I don't hear from you, then I'll accept that you agree
with Daddy and want nothing more to do with me. When I
look at my baby, I don't think of the circumstances that
led to her birth. What Mike and I did was a sin, but we're
married now.
Lesley is a beautiful child, created in the image of God.
That's what Father Gilbert said a child is, and I believe
him. I hope you'll love her despite everything.
Your daughter,
Dorothy
* * *
Mrs. Leonard Lawton 2330 Country Club Lane
Pine Ridge, Washington
October 12, 1948
Dearest Aunt Jill,
I regret taking so long to answer your letter. After
waiting fifteen very long years for a child, one would
assume I'd be better prepared for the demands of
motherhood. I had no idea an infant would take up so much
of my time and energy. I'm months behind on my
correspondence and can only beg your indulgence.
Jillian is truly our joy. As you know, Leonard and I had
given up hope of ever having a child. We're both convinced
her birth is a miracle and we are so very grateful. I know
how pleased you are that we named her after you, but
you've been a mother to Leonard since his own dear
mother's death. Without you, he wouldn't have any memories
of her.
Leonard is thrilled with his daughter. Every night he
rushes home from court in order to spend time with her.
She's already standing on her own and it looks as if
she'll be walking soon. I'm afraid Leonard must bore
everyone at the courthouse with photographs of Jillian. In
his eyes she's the most brilliant, precious child ever to
appear in this world. She has deep blue eyes and dark
brown hair and a cheerful, happy disposition. She loves
listening to the radio; her favorite show is Kukla, Fran
and Ollie. Leonard claims it's really my favorite show,
and Jillian gives me the perfect excuse to listen. One
show she doesn't like โ I think it scares her โ is The
Lone Ranger. Every time she hears the music she buries her
head in my skirt.
Thank you for recommending Eleanor Roosevelt's book This I
Remember. I've ordered it from the library, but my reading
has been severely curtailed since Jillian's arrival. I've
been making an effort to read during her afternoon nap,
but the problem is, I usually fall asleep myself. With her
teething, I haven't slept an entire night in weeks. The
poor child is having a difficult time of it, but the
pediatrician assured us everything is normal.
Leonard and I are delighted that you've accepted our
invitation to spend the Christmas holidays with us.
Jillian will surely be walking by then โ and sleeping
through the nights!
I'll write again soon. Give our love to Uncle Frank and
everyone.
Yours truly,
Leonard, Barbara and Jillian
Mrs. Leonard Lawton 2330 Country Club Lane
Pine Ridge, Washington
January 4, 1955
Dear Sister John,
Enclosed please find the invitations to Jillian's seventh
birthday party. Would you kindly distribute them to all
the children in both first-grade classes? My husband has
hired puppeteers to perform at the party and there will be
cake and ice cream for everyone. I would consider it a big
help if you could let us know how many children we should
expect.
Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Leonard Lawton January 10, 1955
220 Railroad Avenue
Pine Ridge, Washington
Dear Judge Lawton, Mrs. Lawton and Jillian,
Thank you very much for the invitation to Jillian's
birthday party. Unfortunately we already have plans for
next Saturday, and Lesley will be unable to attend.
Lesley so enjoyed the afternoon she spent with Jillian
following their tap dancing class. We'll have Jillian over
to visit soon.
I've had to withdraw Lesley from dance class, but we're
hoping she'll be able to start back soon. Jillian's been
teaching her the new steps at recess so she won't be too
far behind. These two have certainly formed a fast
friendship, haven't they? I'm grateful Lesley has such a
good friend.
I'm sure Jillian will have a wonderful birthday. I'll get
in touch with you about having Jillian visit for an
afternoon.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Michael Adamski
* * *
KAKE RADIO dedicates "The Ballad of Davey Crockett" to
birthday girl Jillian Lawton. Happy seventh birthday,
Jillian, from all your friends here at
KAKE RADIO.
Now everyone put on your Coonskin Cap and sing Happy
Birthday for seven-year-old Jillian.
* * *
Pine Ridge Library 300 Main Street Pine Ridge, Washington
October 1, 1955
Dear Mrs. Adamski,
At your request the library is holding Marjorie
Morningstar by Herman Wouk and Auntie Mame by Patrick
Dennis until the end of the week.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Joan McMahon Head Librarian
* * *
September 28, 1955 Dear Grandma and Grandpa O'Leary,
Thank you for the Betsy McCall doll. I named her Jilly
after my best friend in school. I can read now.
Love,
Lesley
* * * November 14, 1955
220 Railroad Avenue
Pine Ridge, Washington
Dearest Momma and Daddy,
Lesley loves her birthday gift! She's wanted a Betsy
McCall doll for months. She wrote the thank-you note
herself, but then you could probably tell that. She's a
smart little girl and can already sound out words. I take
her to the library often and she loves books as much as I
do. Even when she was two and three years old, she
insisted I read her a story before she'd settle down for
her nap. Now she's almost reading on her own!
Susan is eager to read, too. She starts kindergarten next
year and follows her big sister everywhere. Mikey and Joe
are growing big and strong like their daddy.
Mike was laid off for three months, but he's back working
at the mill again. We managed all right. I didn't tell him
about the money you sent, Momma, so please don't mention
it. I bought groceries and a few chickens to raise for the
eggs. I bake all our bread myself, just the way you always
did, Momma, but my baking powder biscuits just aren't as
fluffy as yours. Luckily Mike never tasted your chicken
and dump-lings because mine just don't compare. I wish I'd
paid more attention when you were cooking.
Momma, I should have told you sooner, but I was afraid
you'd be upset with our news. I'm pregnant again and due
to deliver any time now. I thought Mike and I had a
complete family. Four children in six years have worn me
out, but God had other plans.
If we have a baby girl, we're going to call her Lily. I
don't have a boy's name picked out yet. Mike said he
didn't care what I named the baby. Since Mike, Jr. was
born, he told me I could call the babies anything I wish.
I know Daddy was pleased when I named our Joe after him.
You asked about Mike's drinking. He does like his beer,
but he doesn't get drunk as often since he returned to
work. Don't worry, Momma, we're all fine.
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