I am pre-writing as I am travelling…

My local family have remarked how they longed for the 1950’s and a great time – that their childhood and everything much simpler then… Well, that is awesome – but it does mean that things were simpler then simply because they were kids, and as a child, one is really cared for and usually sheltered. So probably not because times were simpler or easier for society – but society (and/or the powers that be) blessed them/us with joy…  Granted, the 1950s economically was better in the American economy after pulling out of the depression – and my local family grew up on a farm and had more food than most in big cities, and yet we tend to see popular movies and society making an influence on “these were the good old days” – but in reality every time is different for different people… ignorance is bliss can be said in every generation. 

Amazing play I just saw, local theater production, and my youngest is on stage crew. Oh exciting for me to see set changes, and also what we donated from the farmhouse, newspapers magazines and they actually used them in one scene slamming on the ground, as the show touched upon tough topics while the couple tried to “pretend” they were living in the 50s. Oh fun and then the cliffhanger, then the 2nd half touched upon TOUGH subjects for any generation, including relationship norms, financial crisis, infidelity flirtatious, and fear of acceptance in the workplace, fear of change and wow… it was a show that made you think and squirm enough, but with a resolved ending (WHEW!). Yeah, life is precisely life, no matter which generation. 

As for my extended extened family in the big city in the 1930’s (for whom I have been learning about first time) living in the depression era in NYC, it was TOUGH – and yet they survived – survived with MANY mouths to feed too… The letters that later came in the 1950s showed happier times economically but the 30’s were tough. Also without long drama detailed – all the generations when family members are sick and dying are tough and sad… Yet the letters at the end said “love and kisses” – they still shared the love – as did they send Christmas cards that mentioned Christmas joy – even if Santa was poor those years…

Here is where we have best joy in God – we are His children and sheltered and we are taken care of free from sin and death – from illness and tears – in the time when we return HOME – to Heaven. We are also sheltered now so that we CAN experience JOY and explan Who gives us counsel. God does. Jesus carries us. The Holy Spirit moves us.

So for the meantime we need to tough it out here on earth, and we can make it BETTER for others as we live life… Life here has ups and downs – but we are to focus on His blessings – especially the ability to draw close to Him – remember happiness is fleeting but JOY is forever.

Were Times Simpler “In the Old Days”? Hmmm not so sure – but what I DO KNOW is that God’s Love NEVER changes.

I will always remember the LOVE in these letters – through the tough times and the reality of the real world – we KNOW that the most important thing is LOVE.

GOD LOVES US ALL  – we are HIS family.

Amen

Here are some letters from them which we found in our family farmhouse – letters dated in the 30’s:

“…got a new radio from our Pop for Christmas so that it keeps us in nights for a change and he likes it too because he at least has some company when he’s home alone….” from one cousin…

and from another cousin – about that same radio: “One day last week, Dad was up by Uncle Frank and they have a new radio and Dad said it is very nice…”

There there are sorrow writings about the times: “… writes they don’t get much for their milk, eggs are 12 cents a dozen there. Here we pay 29cents for a lb of salt butter, and 39 cents for a dozen grade A eggs (that’s in the A&P store)…” (I think these are high prices to buy but low prices for farmers to not get money for their goods)…

Another letter: “We are all in good health although things here are poor. I have been out of work a long time so that we get along a best we could.”… “I hope you are all well and happy and we are. We are all busy now preparing for Christmas, which is just around the corner. Things here are pretty bad and lots of people are complaining but we have our health.”

The the nitty gritty of the death of family members too: “were quite surprised to read the note enclosed – Pop was quite unhappy to know when Aunt.. died… He was also sorry to hear about … but I guess we all have to go sometime.”… and another letter: “…We are all enjoying good health and Pa is picking up slowly. He asked me to write to you to let you know that Uncle … is very ill. He has been complaining for some time about his arm and as he could not stand it very much longer he went to the hospital and they found that he had some kind of lump under his arm. Before they could operate it burst and all the matter spread on his lungs so that he is a pretty sick man. He was operated on Friday night which happened to be his 63rd birthday and they didn’t let us know until yesterday or I would have written sooner…”