1942 Comes to an End - A Letter From Esther

In November Margaret Upton Waning's beloved cousin, newlywed Esther Greenwell Smith sent a letter.

Envelope - Note the Wanings have moved from Fall Creek to West Eugene.

Letter - Page 1

"Nov. 17, 1942

Dear Margaret,

I was so happy to hear from you, to know that Jim was getting well, and to have a picture of my darling little cousin.(1)  Elton(2) and I thank all of you for the gift of money.  We purchased a number of things with "gift money" and decided our friends might take their pick of where their money went.  We got two much needed rugs for the bedroom, one 4' x 6', the other 3' x 5', in dark red.  Our living room is a softer..." 

Letter - Page 2

"...red with some brown in it.  We then bought a vacuum cleaner.  And at the moment Elton is developing his hitherto undeveloped mechanical ability by putting an unfinished but factory cut, cupboard together.

We like out three room apartment very well, though the kitchen is tiny and has no cupboards.  The living room is quite large and has a small but very good dire-place.  The bathroom is small but has modern fixtures.  We bought mahogany furniture, a blue Regency sofa and blue and tan barrel chairs.  We had to..."

Letter - Page 3

"...buy a small second-hand ice-box so wish I could borrow your refrigerator.  The house of which we have part is a three story one, 150 years old!  The floors are "wavy", but hat's quite acceptable in New England.

We have already had 57 guests since we came home Oct. 23, so you can understand why I've been slow to write.

We had a beautiful wedding day, with about 250 guests in a chapel that seats 200 and with refreshments planned for 150.  Then we had five days in Maine, in the parsonage of a friend, in New York..."  

Letter - Page 4

"...on his wedding trip.  The church gave us a lovely reception, Nov. 4, and the women have me (us) a food shower, and an end table, Nov. 6,  Everyone has been grand to us and we're very happy.

We have had three or four cold days, but most of the weather's beautiful.  News from home is about the same, with Dortha(3) getting mail in spurts, and all busy.   Dad had all his teeth out and has frequent colds, but keeps going.  Both Mother and Dortha overdo, but there seems no changing them. 

Love to all your folks.

Your "sin-twister"(4)

Esther Smith"   

1 reference to Barbara

2 Esther's new husband - Elton Smith

3 Esther's sister - Dortha

4 Esther signed off as Margaret's "twin sister" or "sin-twister".  This affectionate salute began when the two were young children, and was a constant throughout their long lives.  It is a visible reminder of their special, loving, close relationship with one another.