June 1930
Dear Auntie Isabelle,
Thank you so much for the graduation present. Turning eighteen feels like such a grand thing! I’m very excited to be going off to nursing school in the fall, and especially glad I will be nearer to you. I’ll be ever so thankful to have you to introduce me to a much bigger city like Atlanta. I can’t wait to see your new dog as well—Chester was so loved here at the Home, the little ones cried when you moved and still talk about him.
I’m sure all the other Aunties have kept you up to date on the big party we are having to celebrate Dr. and Mrs. Parker’s tenth anniversary. Little Hal is five now, toddling around the Home and just beginning to understand how he’s come to have so many “brothers and sisters.” He is giving poor Mrs. Ida a terrible time, tired as she is with the new baby coming. Much as Hal loves the distraction, I think Dr. Parker is regretting the puppy—he is a wild thing. They named him “Chessie”—after your wonderful dog, I’m sure. Mrs. Ida says it’s a blessing she has lots of us “nannies” all ready to help out, and I agree. We are all hoping for a girl, as is Mrs. Ida, I think (she’ll never say such a thing of course, but I notice she’s been knitting far more little pink socks than little blue ones).
The new nurse—another one from the army base, too—is very nice and has been here since March. I think she fits in well, but I continue to go and find Mrs. Ida when my jaw hurts on rainy days. I still think of the silly faces she made back during all those dreadful speech exercises. I hope I become as fine a nurse as Mrs. Ida. I cannot draw like she can, but I’ve discovered how much I love writing. I have rather a decent singing voice, too—and I hardly ever lisp when I sing!
I knit my first sweater this month. You would be so proud—it turned out quite nicely, and was just the thing for the red cotton yarn you gave me for Christmas. I’ve taught several of the younger ones to knit socks, just like you taught me. It’s funny to watch Dr. Parker explain to visitors why all the girls here have such wonderful, brightly colored socks. We’ve had lots of visitors with the new wing being built. Can you imagine the Parker Home with over a hundred children? I’m sure I’ll barely recognize it when I come for visits when school is out.
“Auntie Donna” heads up a whole other group of “Aunties” now, although they are more big sisters than wonderful, wise Aunties like you. She and “Uncle Matthew”—we certainly couldn’t keep calling him “Matty” when he became a father and opened his own brickyard, could we?—are expecting their third baby in November. We see them a lot because Donna runs the volunteers who keep up the gardens and Matthew’s firm is handling all the bricks for the new wing.
I must go and finish studying for my last exam—the girls’ matron is very strict about study halls! I promise to send word the day my feet land in Atlanta and dearly look forward to being able to visit you much more. God bless you and keep you, dear Auntie!
Love,
Gitch
PS: I’ve decided to go by “Gwen” in school—what do you think? No matter what, I trust I will always be “Gitch” to you and all my Parker family.
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Keep reading for an excerpt from WAGON TRAIN REUNION by Linda Ford.