Dated September 19, 1956
Dear Carol and C.B.,
Will write a few lines. We received the announcement of your baby boy. Sure glad it is over. Take good care of yourself and baby. Sorry to here of C.B getting hurt hope he is getting better by now.
I pray for him every day. How long will he be in the hospital? Try and not worry to much. They will take good care of him.
Sure has been hot and dry. We need a good rain. We thought we were going to get a rain last night and it fizzled out. The night are cool. We still run our cooler.
How is Mr. and Mrs. Preston? Give them our love.
Edna comes in quite often 2 or 3 times a week. Not much news so I will close.
With Love,
Grandma & Grandpa Dunham
My Note: Note that in this letter they say "Sorry to here of C.B getting hurt". My first clue as to what happened to him. He was "hurt". "Here" is not a typo on my part. I am typing these letters exactly as they are written. Sometimes though, so no one gets confused, I do add a little punctuation to spare any confusion. In this letter there was a lot of lack of punctuation and the words ran together in a lot of places.
This letter was from "Grandma and Grandpa Dunham" or on the return address:
Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Dunham
218 E Vilas
Guthrie, Okla
I may be wrong but I think they are C.B's wife, Carol's grandparents.
This letter was addressed to:
Mr. and Mrs. C.B Preston
Fay, Okla
Many of the earliest letters were addressed to them at home.
Also note here, the baby had been born. So this has the baby being born in the first 2 weeks of September 1956. I already know his name was Randy Justin Preston from some reading ahead.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
September 10, 1956 from Marvin and Bernita Dewey
Sept 10, 1956
Dear C.B,
I don't know whether you remember us so much but we do you and know your folk & Russel real well and just have thought of you and all of your family since you have been so ill. We have been asking the one who is all Supreme to make you well again. Our church people prayed at our church yesterday too. We do hope you will soon be improved.
It is so nice Russel and everyone can be so close and come see you. Our Shirley is so far away should she get sick. I don't know whether you went to Fay school when she did or not. She met a Canadian (English) at University of Denver (He was an all around athletic student) and they were married in the spring. We miss them so much but they will soon be back to school and home. A belated wedding shower & reception is being planned when they arrive here so we have a big nite coming up in a few days. Wish all your folks, Russel John...(rest illegible) and all our friends could be here to help celebrate. Get well quick and we wish the best for all of you and yours (your wife and coming baby) and all your family.
With Love and Prayer,
Marvin and Bernita
*My Notes: This letter was from Marvin and Bernita Dewey and they lived in Big Spring, Nebraska at the time this letter was written. Also included in the letter was a get well card (I am loving seeing all the old greeting cards in these letters) and a newspaper clipping from the Big Spring, Nebraska newspaper called "The Enterprise" the article was titled "Water Ski Champion Home" and in the photo was Mr. and Mrs. John Godfrey. It was a "reprint from the Vancouver Sun".
The article is as follows:
Summering in his favorite province, Canadian Senior Water Ski Champion John Godfrey is enjoying introducing his pretty blonde wife, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Dewey, Big Springs. Nebraska U.S.A to his many friends and showing her all the B.C. beauty spots.
The attractive young couple are both taking business administration at University of Denver where Mr. Dewey is studying on an athletic scholarship and Mrs. Godfrey is a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.
They return to their classrooms in the fall and meantime are enjoying exploratory trips all around B.C., with holiday headquarters at the West Fiftyfourth Avenue home of Mr. Godfrey's parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Godfrey.
They are now at Lindell Beach on Cultus Lake and their travels also will take them to Kelowna where Mr. Godfrey will defend his title as water ski champion at the Canadian Open to be held in connection with the famous Regatta. Former Junior Water Ski Champion, he hasn't missed a Regatta in eight years.
Friday, November 20, 2009
August 30, 1956 from Oleta Hood
Addressed to: Mrs. C.B Preston Rural Route, Faye Oklahoma
From: Oleta Hood, Rt. 1 Box 75, Meridian, Okla
Post Marked: August 30, 1956
Dated; August 29, 1956
Dearest Carol and C.B,
Bill came in from town at 11:00 last night and told me about C.B. We sure are sorry it happened and do hope sincerely that he is getting better and at least able to be over the worst of the pain from it.
Herbert Hudson told Bill at Round-up practice so Bill called Mr. Gummow to find out about C.B. Darla doesn't know about it yet, but will write soon as I can let her know.
Now Carol let me try to comfort you some if I can only find a way to say it. Honey, you may feel this is the worst thing that could happen to you especially at this time but God promises us that he will not put more upon us than we are able to bear. Sometimes it seems we have to go through trials to help us see how truly loving and merciful God is to us and out of these trials we learn patience, pity and understanding. And we know that God is an ever present help in times of trouble. He is our comfort and refuge. He said he would give us strength and courage. So if we can only turn to Him and leave our worry and burdens with Him, believing and trusting Him to work it out for us, He will. Also He will ease your mind & heart if you can only turn it all over into His hands. It's hard to do things for ourselves, we worry, we try to solve our problems even when we think there isn't a way possible but when we can put our faith in God our worries & problems work out in a way that we didn't think it could. We have a strength inside of us that we didn't realize we had, we have courage we didn't know about and it carries us through these trying times. We even surprise ourselves some times but it is God helping us. Paul said in the Bible that he had learned whatever state he was in therewith to be content that God's grace was sufficient to carry him through and Oh! how true that is for each one of us.
Also God has a just reason for all things that happen, we aren't suppose to be wise enough to know why because God said His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.
Several times during illness in my family I couldn't have stood to see them be so ill if it had not been for my trust and faith in God. Sometimes He brings us to the place we can even get humble enough to pray for strength to accept whatever may come and to me I've found that when I had done all I could and had humbled myself enough to bear anything, then was when God took over.
Now Honey if it should happen that your baby comes sooner from the shock you have had don't be afraid at all. It is near enough to time that everything will be all right. Also you need not be afraid if C.B should still be in the hosp. and can't go with you because he could not help you only by being present to encourage you. It is a normal thing and Dr's. give drugs that do help so much. I had Randy with out Howell and many, many women had husbands in service, even overseas when theirs were born and I thought of that when I went to the hosp. It's the frame of mind we allow ourselves to get into that causes fear. And in child birth the more relaxed you are the better you will do, even deliver sooner. We may feel we can't relax but we can especially when we know it's for our own good. So many "Old Wives Tales" is what causes fear so many times or else we imagine the worst. Also different ones deliver sooner but time of deliveries differ so don't be alarmed if you should be in labor longer than you had thought, just because someone you knew delivered right away. See. you may not dilate as fast. again you may, that we have no way of knowing. Our main thought is our baby and you will surprise yourself at how calm you will be. It isn't meant to be a time of fear, nature prepares your system to deliver, so it isn't a sudden change.
I wish you were near me and if you wanted me I could go with you.
I've thought a lot about how calm Darla was all through her delivery and not that I mean to brag one bit but I do firmly believe it was because I had tried to explain to her beforehand. It's the unknown things we fear and if you have reasonable knowledge of what to expect then you aren't afraid. I talked to Elsie and she was not the least upset when Pinkie came. I was scared with Jack, no one had told me, so it was the not knowing, see.
Also, Honey C.B will be so worried that he may not be able to be with you, that will not be good for him, so you must show him that you are not afraid. Convince him you aren't and believe me you won't be. There isn't any reason for you to be.
I don't know whether I've found words to show you or not in order that it will help you some, but I hope I have. I have had 7 now and I am sincere in telling you not to be upset and in saying you need not be afraid.
Tell C.B we are thinking of him and hoping how soon he will be O.K.
Love you both,
Oleta Hood
P.S. Oh! Lands I almost forgot Darla married the 20th to Keith Jefferies. I was sorry I couldn't be at your shower but for 2 days I had been in bed with Neuritis so bad in my neck & shoulders. I was miserable. I have had it a mo. & still have it. Canning peaches & apples didn't help it. Ha!
Let us hear how C.B gets along when ever you can please as we will all be anxious to know.
From: Oleta Hood, Rt. 1 Box 75, Meridian, Okla
Post Marked: August 30, 1956
Dated; August 29, 1956
Dearest Carol and C.B,
Bill came in from town at 11:00 last night and told me about C.B. We sure are sorry it happened and do hope sincerely that he is getting better and at least able to be over the worst of the pain from it.
Herbert Hudson told Bill at Round-up practice so Bill called Mr. Gummow to find out about C.B. Darla doesn't know about it yet, but will write soon as I can let her know.
Now Carol let me try to comfort you some if I can only find a way to say it. Honey, you may feel this is the worst thing that could happen to you especially at this time but God promises us that he will not put more upon us than we are able to bear. Sometimes it seems we have to go through trials to help us see how truly loving and merciful God is to us and out of these trials we learn patience, pity and understanding. And we know that God is an ever present help in times of trouble. He is our comfort and refuge. He said he would give us strength and courage. So if we can only turn to Him and leave our worry and burdens with Him, believing and trusting Him to work it out for us, He will. Also He will ease your mind & heart if you can only turn it all over into His hands. It's hard to do things for ourselves, we worry, we try to solve our problems even when we think there isn't a way possible but when we can put our faith in God our worries & problems work out in a way that we didn't think it could. We have a strength inside of us that we didn't realize we had, we have courage we didn't know about and it carries us through these trying times. We even surprise ourselves some times but it is God helping us. Paul said in the Bible that he had learned whatever state he was in therewith to be content that God's grace was sufficient to carry him through and Oh! how true that is for each one of us.
Also God has a just reason for all things that happen, we aren't suppose to be wise enough to know why because God said His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.
Several times during illness in my family I couldn't have stood to see them be so ill if it had not been for my trust and faith in God. Sometimes He brings us to the place we can even get humble enough to pray for strength to accept whatever may come and to me I've found that when I had done all I could and had humbled myself enough to bear anything, then was when God took over.
Now Honey if it should happen that your baby comes sooner from the shock you have had don't be afraid at all. It is near enough to time that everything will be all right. Also you need not be afraid if C.B should still be in the hosp. and can't go with you because he could not help you only by being present to encourage you. It is a normal thing and Dr's. give drugs that do help so much. I had Randy with out Howell and many, many women had husbands in service, even overseas when theirs were born and I thought of that when I went to the hosp. It's the frame of mind we allow ourselves to get into that causes fear. And in child birth the more relaxed you are the better you will do, even deliver sooner. We may feel we can't relax but we can especially when we know it's for our own good. So many "Old Wives Tales" is what causes fear so many times or else we imagine the worst. Also different ones deliver sooner but time of deliveries differ so don't be alarmed if you should be in labor longer than you had thought, just because someone you knew delivered right away. See. you may not dilate as fast. again you may, that we have no way of knowing. Our main thought is our baby and you will surprise yourself at how calm you will be. It isn't meant to be a time of fear, nature prepares your system to deliver, so it isn't a sudden change.
I wish you were near me and if you wanted me I could go with you.
I've thought a lot about how calm Darla was all through her delivery and not that I mean to brag one bit but I do firmly believe it was because I had tried to explain to her beforehand. It's the unknown things we fear and if you have reasonable knowledge of what to expect then you aren't afraid. I talked to Elsie and she was not the least upset when Pinkie came. I was scared with Jack, no one had told me, so it was the not knowing, see.
Also, Honey C.B will be so worried that he may not be able to be with you, that will not be good for him, so you must show him that you are not afraid. Convince him you aren't and believe me you won't be. There isn't any reason for you to be.
I don't know whether I've found words to show you or not in order that it will help you some, but I hope I have. I have had 7 now and I am sincere in telling you not to be upset and in saying you need not be afraid.
Tell C.B we are thinking of him and hoping how soon he will be O.K.
Love you both,
Oleta Hood
P.S. Oh! Lands I almost forgot Darla married the 20th to Keith Jefferies. I was sorry I couldn't be at your shower but for 2 days I had been in bed with Neuritis so bad in my neck & shoulders. I was miserable. I have had it a mo. & still have it. Canning peaches & apples didn't help it. Ha!
Let us hear how C.B gets along when ever you can please as we will all be anxious to know.
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