Friday, January 27, 2017

Letter to Henry from his mother December 31, 1907

Cover:
Mr. Henry S. Makibbin
U. S. S. Tennessee
San Francisco
Cal.
Care of Post-Master

Last day of 1907

Dear, dear boy –

Indeed I must talk to you a bit, it is a beautiful afternoon and I have the house to myself.  Anna is on the Hill, had not been out yet to see Aunt Maime’s and Aunt Anna’s trees, so she started off this morning about ten o’clock.  Fred has gone for his papers, papa is on several errands and Miss Reeser has gone out too. 

I want so much to help you Henry, we all have many regrets and the only way out is to improve the days each one as it goes by and there must come to you a sense of satisfaction in work well done and duty performed.  I understand how you feel and am sure it will all come right if you do each little thing as right and unto God.  You know not a sparrow falleth that he does not notice how much more then His children. 

You know there are no rougher men than as railroad and rolling-mill and nowhere can you find a better man than my father and yours.  And grandpa Makibbin has always been a man and had to be among rough men.  You see it is this, while you must be among them at your work they do not need to be your companions.  Look for the true and good and I am sure you will find it.  Then remember too, your influence will count for much, may be the means of saving some mother’s boy.  

Do not be shy of going to your chaplain.  It will help you much, I am sure, and he will be glad I know to help you in any way.

Fred and Anna went to Phila yesterday and had a nice time, Aunt L – gave Anna a pocket book & Hattie Day gave her a little sewing box, with thread, needles, silk, &c.  She wore her sailor suit and looks lovely in it indeed.

I wonder if you are having such a beautiful day.  The sun is shining so brightly in the back window and falls athwart the tree oh it looks beautiful.  I think it is the first real clear day we have had for a week.  The sky is cloudless just a perfect azure.

No I did not think you were neglecting me for I thought there might be many things to keep you busy only I get so anxious fearing you might be ill.  Don’t rob yourself of your rest for that is most essential to your keeping well & strong.

How I wish I could draw now you would have a sketch of the tree, but the sunshine on it you can imagine.

By the way – tell me how a sunrise and sunset looks on the ocean it must be something magnificent or sublime indeed.

Fred brings his calendars up tonight, he is only going to get eighty, for the others papers have all had theirs out and I am afraid it will spoil his patronage and beside he has a poor route.  He is going to apply for an uptown Patriot route, there are some being divided.  He could have gotten a Phila. route but it was more than two hundred papers and I thought he ought not to take it as that was too many.

Oh I must tell you the Montevideo ads you sent us are very interesting and you can imagine us studying the little map and wondering which streets you walked on.  Enclosed find a bit I thought would interest you.

I know you will be thinking today of all the things you did a year ago – Well let us take a fresh start to do our duty and the right and the New Year will have good for us I am sure. –

The Sun has just dropped down and left a few golden clouds with a dark edge and the sky is all aglow with a faint rosy light.  I had to move from the desk to the window to get more light. 

May the New Year be kind to you and us.  Your father and I will have lived together twenty five years Feb. 7, 1908.  Only grow as good a man and we shall be thankful.  God bless and keep you safe is the daily prayer of you mother.

Enclosed find one of the cards Mr. Hart is sending out.  I know you will be interested & you can see about the services. 

Kisses between every line

Good night dear boy
8:30

Mother

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