Yesterday I was in the basement of the cottage getting ready for the furnace guy and as I was leaving I glanced on a shelf – one that I’ve passed countless times (as seems to be the case with these discoveries). There was a box full of “congratulations on having your first baby” cards. Me, being the first baby, grabbed the cards curious to see what they were. Tons of congratulations cards for mom and dad on my spectacular arrival and some letters. I swear these letters just find me. So here’s one from Grandma to my parents while they were living in Toronto (they were married in August of 1967 and then moved to Calgary not too long after). I’m very glad Grandma scouted out that neighbourhood that was close to the university as that was our home for years.

RR2 Calgary, Alberta

Dec. 29th, 1967

Dear John and Margi:

Guess what we have? And oh how I wish I could share it with you. Yesterday the CNR phoned out to say that a case of fruit had just arrived for us from Florida. The Ollendikes sent it. My! Is it good.

The Rosedale community club where Aunt Nan and Uncle Jack live, had chartered a bus for seeing the Christmas lights display last night so Dad and I went with Kumlin’s and several others. We thoroughly enjoyed it but it snowed late at night when we were driving home.

Well, where do I start to describe Christmas? It’s so long since I’ve written to you. Your lovely big box of presents arrived the Thursday before Christmas and I got them all distributed before the big day. Thank you ever so much for those wood carvings. Everyone raves about that comical figure you gave Dad. You couldn’t look at it without getting a lift, it’s so optimistic looking. They are both treasures of art, we are very pleased with them.

I hope you were well for the Christmas holidays Marg. You seem to be getting too many colds, I’ll be glad when you get out of that smoggy atmosphere. Just after I phoned you, a man phoned and when I lifted the receiver, someone started rapping on the back door so in the ??smozzel?? I didn’t get his name but he was phoning for the firm of “Nesbit, Beaumont, Proctor, and Church” in Calgary and they want you, Marg, to go and work there for them. They are going to write to you. Guess the church would be Bob’s brother eh?

Dad and I had a lovely visit down at Arrowwood, saw the big school concert which was very good and really is quite large, they bus the children from so far. One third of the students are Blood Indian. Dixie and Betty did well.

Then Christmas morning they came up and had a little Christmas with Ted’s mother (who insisted on working in the hospital that day) and then came here and opened more parcels. Then we all went to Marshall’s and just ate far too much, Walter was there and Trudy’s friends E____? And Hughie Wallace and their tiny baby, and Mrs May was there. Evie?? And Hughie gave me a beautiful pair of long black leather gloves – the kind her mother manufactures “Paris”. Trudy and Marsh gave me writing paper- forgot to use it this time but will next letter. Ted and Sheila gave me a blouse but I’ll have to take it in, it’s too small. I really got everything I hinted for and then some. It was a beautiful Christmas. The Saturday night, 30th, it snowed a light frosty snow and covered the tree and willows like they were dipped in crushed diamonds. We drove to church in Cochrane Sunday night and the country was so beautiful in the bluish moonlight. Trudy sang in our church. Just as the last peel of the church bell faded away she opened the vestry door and stood there alone and sang “Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel” with no accompaniment. Her voice filled the church to the highest rafter in that vaulted ceiling. It was just magnificent and then later Aileen accompanied her on the piano for “Oh Holy Night.” I wish now I’d got a recording of it.

We have had a lot of snow, nearly every day. Dad is sure swearing at it, it’s so hard for the cows to rustle the grass, they have to haul pellets of ???? Every day. Dad has caught and skinned 4 badgers and now doesn’t know what to do with them. Do you want some badger-skin rugs?

Harry and Agnes and Ethel have all gone to the coast for a trip. We miss them. Nan and Jack fly to Hawaii on Jan. 10th. When we were on the tour last night, I saw several homes I’d like to give you for a present, especially in the new area near the university where you can see the mountains. We’re so happy to have you coming to Calgary. You are entirely welcome to use our place as long as you want to – the longest the better we’ll like it.

I got a nice card and note from Sue and Ted this year. Rob Thompson and Valerie Hunt are coming out to our New Year’s Eve party in the hall. They seemed to enjoy Christmas in Toronto.

Well, I must close now. I sure hope everyone is well in your family circle there. We are all in good health here.

lots of love from

Mom xxxx

PS. Just opened the envelope to add a few more lines. Was talking to Winnie this am and she said she put her Dad in hospital yesterday afternoon. He seemed sick and so low in spirits and wanted to go to hospital.

I hope to go in for groceries and a hair-do this afternoon, am waiting for Dad to come in for lunch. Got a really good light-orange-dessert recipe from Winnie, hope to have roast duck with chestnuts for New Year’s dinner, maybe avocado cocktail and this dessert. Sometime buy yourself a package of Sherriff’s scalloped potato’s either plain or with cheese sauce and cook a canned or fresh ham, they go well together and are really good. Must go now, but I’ll write soon again.

I’ve ordered flowers for Uncle Jack.