Please Use The Word Mama Instead Of Mom

Omaha, Neb.

Jan. 7, 1948

Marie - 

I wish to thank you for the birthday card I received yesterday. It would have been nice if you had enclosed a pretty handkerchief. I hope you have received the apron and hot pan holder by this time. If you had already received it at the time when you sent the birthday card why didn't you write a few lines and let me know? You must write me a long letter and let me know about the way you spent Christmas out there.

I am enclosing some clippings I thought you would be interested in reading. The reason I am sending that little one with the girl wearing an apron is because I think you should make your little girls jumpers with a piece in the front. Can you still make the jumper that way and try and make the sleaves in the blouses longer? And why were you and Frank not in the picture also? I like the hair ribbons in their hair but why not remind them to close their mouths?

Will you please write and ask Betty to let me know if she received the apron I sent her? Also send her the clipping about Good morning breakfast program. 

I received the letter from you with the Christmas card. 1 card from your children with pictures drawn on the back of the card. 1 card from little Rebecka. I mentioned I received the money order before I think and the stockings as well as the photograph of your little girls.

I am glad I heard from all my children.

Marie I hope I can leave the hospital in the near future. But I don't know yet where I can go from here. I will write a few lines to Frank on the back of this letter. Please write very soon. You did not enclose any-thing with the birthday card did you?

From Mother.

~~~~~~~~

Wednesday Afternoon.

Frank - 

This afternoon from 2 to 3 is visitor's day but Marie's father did not come out as I hoped he would. And he did not bring me a birthday cake or flowers, not even a card. You could write and remind him how neglectful he was...

Frank, I received a Christmas card from your parents. Will you kindly write them that I sent my thanks to them. And thank you for your card also.

I hope you will think this clipping about Arizona interesting.

From Mrs. Ruth Jensen.

~~~~~~~~

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1948

Marie - 

I received your card yesterday an all though I had a letter written to you, I will add more to my letter. I am glad you received the apron I sent, but you didn't mention the hot pan holder. How do you like it?

Did you have the flu about the time that Katherine D. was there for a visit?

At Christmas season there was a tree on this floor. Some of the patients made some decorations. At one time a number of school children came in a group and sang Christmas songs. Another time a number of adult people came and sang.

There are some young people who came out each Sunday evening and sing and we enjoy hearing them. Christmas morning present were passed out to the patients. I receive a pair of anklets.

Marie did you send a Christmas card to my cousin in Chicago? I received a pretty one from her. If you don't remember her address you may ask me next time you write. If you write to her please send her a nice handkerchief with your card. Thank you.

Did you have any letter from Elin? I wish that she would write to me. And will you write to Elin also Betty to write to me? I surely get lonesome staying here for days, weeks and months. To-day I have been here 8 months. I was hoping your father would come out last Sunday and being me a few things. Marie will you write and ask Lottie if she received the Nursery chair and tool box which was Martin's?

Now about the candy, you may send a few milk chocolates, and chocolate nougat candy, also hard candy and gum drops. Now you could buy about 1/2 lb. of each Marie. It could be for a belated birthday gift. Also if you wish you could send me a few pretty handkerchiefs and the Mc Call's magazine. If the magazine has been used it doesn't matter and remember December number for 1947.

Now Marie I hope you can take time and sit down and write out the list what I have asked you, to do for me. And please don't want any time and answer my questions by reading over my letter as you write. 

Thanking you again for all that you have sent me Marie. I hope you feel that it is a pleasure to do these things for me. So good-by for this time. I am, Your, Mother.

P.S. Please use the word Mama instead of Mom.

I Have A Stap Collesh

Feb 16, 1948

Dear Marie and Frank

Thanck you for the red hat you gave me a xas How do you like Arzona do you see very meny Indanes I have a stap collesh and go to Parkland School and in the 7th grade I still like to read books and things.

love

Marty

By tonight I'll be a bloody mess

February 6, 1948

Dear Marie,

First of all, thank you so very much for remembering us all at Christmas. The girls were delighted with their little silk panties with lace! I've enjoyed the tablecloth immensely - we've used it several times. The pink and green dishes in my pattern set just match the colors in the tablecloth, and makes a very nice bright-looking table. Thanks again!

I've been wondering about how the tentative plans to visit the Northwest panned out. I hope you're still working on the deal, and that you can still make the trip. I know it would be awfully expensive - may we contribute a little? We can't afford much right now with the baby and a house in the offing, and my not working, but I'm sure we can contribute ten or fiften doolars to the "cause". After all, it's been three and a half years since you've been this way.

Just received a letter from Jean this morning. She enclosed a clipping about Al Harris (remember the young doctor who was best man at our wedding). He has been in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (for years, I gathered) doing cancer research. He had just perfected a very simple, inexpensive method for determining cancer. It is still in the experimental stage, although it has been tried on 1500 cases successfully. After announcing his findings in a medical journal, be became ill and died shortly of a cancerous brain tumor. He died without knowing that other doctors had used his test on him to determined the nature of his illness. The article stated he left a wife and four children - so he must have married again.

Everyone is fine at our house, though we have had more than our share of colds and flus - Baby Jill and Bob especially. Martin has been going to the dentist lately - he had to have one tooth pulled, and scads of fillings. It will cost close to a hundred dollars for repair work.

I've been housecleaning late - beating the spring rush. I washed the walls and woodwork in the kitchen yesterday - I'm going to do to ceiling and hang the curtains this afternoon. I shouldn't, though. The stuff I'm using is so strong it eats holes in my hands. By tonight I'll be a bloody mess and stiff and sore. Remember that hip trouble I had before? It bothers a lot espeically when I do anything like that. Bob's boss' wife is having a shower for me tonight. I should try and look glamorous instead of an old hag.

Hope you can make that trip - we have a very comfortable, large sofa, so we can stretch our sleeping space. Also Martin has a bunk house out in the feed-room where he can sleep.

Love & stuff.

L.

P.S. Thanks heaps for the dresses!

If you could move to Tacoma

P.S. I have written this with paper on my lap.

Nov. 21, 1948

Marie dear -

I have not heard from you recently so I will write to-day and hope these lines find you well. It is about a month ago since I received your last letter when you sent me a dollar bill and the receipt for $5.00 that you sent to Storage Company. Have you sent any since Marie? It was sent Sept. 20th and I hope you send what you can afford. Thank you.

Marie you wrote that you were going to leave Phoenix. Do you know where you intend to be sent? Well Marie I have been thinking that I wish that the next house where you live will be one with out any furniture because that way you could use my household goods what you will need. Have you made any plans so far? I hope you will be closer to Lottie. It is so much work to pack and move and so I hope where you settle down the next time will be for a longer period. If you could move to Tacoma it seems to me would be quite ideal. Have you heard from  Martin? I had a short letter from him in which he wrote that he had written to Lottie. I hope Lottie takes time to write to Martin and writes an interesting letter as well. Also Martin wrote that he will stop here on his way to your father's place next month. Isn't that of interest? And I sincerely hope I may be dismissed at that time Marie.

How did those kodak pictures turn out that you took when you were here? I wish you would send me 1, also save 1 for Martin. You could send him 1 to your father's place, for Martin and ask that you father keep it until Martin comes. Being that you haven't mentioned the pictures I thought I would explain.

It will certainly be good news when I hear that I may be dismissed.

Please write soon. This is Martin's address:

Rct, Martin Jensen

RA 17252261

Co. H

Fort Sill, Oklahoma

I remain,

As your won,

Mother.

Please don't be just half awake

P.S. May be you had better send kodak pictures to your father's address.

Dec. 12, 1948

Marie dear -

I received your note dated Nov. 30th and thank you for sending the short letter to let me know that you had received my letter. That was a nice verse in-side the card you sent me and you wrote at the top a Thanksgiving message and thank you very much. Hope you take care of your cards that are sent you Marie.

You asked about Martin. Yes Martin is coming a few days before Christmas.

I think Marie that you are careless about the kodak pictures not to have taken care of them at the time when you wrote. You know I reminded you different times about the kodak. Hope pictures are ready now.

I wrote to Betty last Sunday and I sent a sample of the kind of material I would like the dress to be. I haven't heard from her having written 2 letters to her now since she wrote.

Marie I thought you would sent more money to the storage Co, without my reminding you. I worry about my belongings. How can I help it? Marie in this letter I will write things which concern me and please don't be just half awake. Marie I wish to be dismissed from the hospital when Martin comes. If the hospital people think I should pay some thing I wish that could be arranged. Have you written to Mr. Mullen? I do some work here each day (ward housekeeping tasks). Now please respect my wishes.

Do you remember how that family you worked for when you were going to Mason School would help those in their family. You know they moved to California. I wish you could think back through the years and trp to realize all that work that I did for you and the other members of our family (?). If I had been working and earning money I would be quite independent now. (?) So please pay attention. I wish that we help each other we whoe are the members of this family. I am enclosing a sample of the dress in case you didn't know the kind I like. Black and write checked size 42 or 44. Mother.

Mark sits up alone, has three teeth, is very alert, overweight and short.

December 3, 1948

Dear Marie,

Sorry to hear about your leaving Phoenix. It's always difficult to make a change, but, who knows, perhaps it's for the best. Time will tell.

I really don't know what to say about my coming to Phoenix. I have planned on it ever since you were here. However, Bob has not been working since last May. I worked all summer and fall as cashier & hostess at the Club, taking the boss's wifes place while she was ill. However, she is back working now, so that kind of let me out. They let the week end waitress go, so I'm taking her place. It's just as well, though - I can earn as much in two days as waitress as I did in six days as hostess. It isn't much, but it pays the grocery bill.

Right now Bob has a bee in his bonnet to go to trade school to learn carpentry. It is a two-year course (daytime). He can qualify under the G.I. Plan, so it won't cost anything. Only loss of time and loss of earning power. Needless to say, a house is definitely out of the question uneil our economic situation is settled. Likewise, a trip. I can scarcely afford to jeopardize my earning power as long as Bob isn't working. If Bob gets a job, and things look better here, I'll pack up the kids and be down. Other than that, I don't know what to say.

The children are all fine. Melody has been under a doctor's care. Remember how knock-kneed she is? It seemed to get worse, with one foot turning out as she walked. She didn't seem to be able to run or skip without falling. I've had her to two specialists. One thought she would have to wear braces but the last doctor, a joint specialist, prescribed a different kind of corrective shoe. He made a picture of her legs and said to bring her back in three months. If she doesn't improve, he thought she should have braces. He called it an uneven growth of her knee joints. (Not a lack of Vitamin D or poor assimilation as Dr. Clay diagnosed.) Did I tell you about her being terribly sick last summer. She had pyclytis (a kidney infection) and ran a temperature of nearly 106 degrees for three days. Dr. Clay was out to the house once. She was sick for over a week, and it took her down quite a lot. She's all right now though. Roxy says the mumps are going around - there are ten in her room who have it - that's all we need, you know.

Melody takes dancing lessons. Roxanne is taking piano from Emmy Colton. She came home tonight all excited - she is going to see a solo "Jesus Loves Me" on the Christmas program in Sunday School. Quite an honor, considering the size of the group. She is doing very well in school. Her report card was all "S's" (or A) with an S+ in reading!

Jill is talking and developing. Just now we looked in the bedroom and found she had gotten out of her own bed and crawled in our bed to sleep. The Dickens.

Mark sits up alone, has three teeth, is very alert, overweight and short. His passion is food!

I just finished making a dress for Mom, and intended buying a couple of slips. However, as per your suggestion, I shall get 1 slip, 1 nightgown and 1 unionsuit instead. Good idea! It's a nice dress - I hope she likes it - shirtwaist style, pockets, long sleeves, and pink and blue with little flowers.

Martin wrote a short letter. he seems lonesome. Write to him - I know he's appreciate it. He's going to go back to Nebraska for Christmas, I understand.

How very sweet of you to remember dolls for our girls. I'm looking forward to dressing them and I know they will enjoy so practical a doll. Thanks a heap!

It's getting late - guess I'll be trudging off to bed. Oh - almost forgot - since you were here we've gotten new rugs for the living & dining room - also an electric Westinghouse dryer (wonderful!) Bought another acre, too. Bye, bye bank account.

Bye, bye, Marie

Love,

L.

Martin came to say good-by to me

Note the red censor marks

Oct 10, 1948

Marie dear -

I received your letter a few days ago and the $1.00 bill also the receipt for the $5.00 that you had sent to the Storage Co. for me. And thank you, also thank Ruthie for the drawing.

Marie I answered you last letter and I had been waiting to hear from you. I don't know if you know that I attended the State Fair the first part of Sept. and it was interesting to see K.F.A.B. broad-cast. Also saw the tent where Bobby Breen was in appearing in person.

I wrote to Betty last Sunday and I asked her to write to me in 2 weeks. I explained how I wish that she would do me some favors. I wish that the members of this family would share a good family feeling for one another.

Marie you have only to think back about 10 years when Martin started kindergarten, Lottie in high school, Betty in grade school and you attending the University. I was so busy and do you remember all the noise there was most of the time from up-stairs? At that time we should have sat down and planned something for the future, for some-thing we could share to-gether.

When you move again please try and move to one of the towns where one of your sisters live and be patient and waite to find out. Will you pay close attention to my letter? Some times I feel blue and depressed and I hope I may be dismissed by the last part of this month (?) as it is one of my brother's birthday. I asked Betty to write to Mr. John Muller, First National Bank Building, Omaha, Nebraska. Could you write also and ask him about me? I want to go  and see about my things and I wish to pay my bills in Omaha.

Yes, you father brought out the receipt for the $5.00 you sent the Storage Co., also Lottie sent $5.00 I am quite sure.

Martin came to say good-by to me. I am trying not to worry about hope I will hear from him very soon. Please write to your father and ask if he has heard from him. As soon as you know Martin's address write him a nice tender letter. Please write to Mr. M at once. Also write to Betty and remind her to answer my letter. With best wishes to all. Your Mother.

P.S. I hope you can afford to send more money to the storage Co. and thank you. (Is this a wise procedure?) 

Certificate of Baptism: Mark Robert Johnson

click to enlarge

I have received 3 Christmas cards

Note the red censor pen

Dec. 19, 1948

Marie dear -

I sent you a Christmas card with the letter I wrote and hope you received it. I have received 3 Christmas cards so far and I wonder if I will receive as many as I did last year. Don't you wonder if you will receive the high number of about 100 that you received last year?

I sent my brother Joe and Blanche a greeting card and enclosed that article you sent about Joe Norby.

Marie I wish to remind you that I don't want you to forget to send Martin the dictionary. And please pick one out that has plain and large letters. Now please pay attention and respect my wishes. Send the dictionary and the kodak pictures to Martin to your father's address. Also sent to kodak pictures for me to 2511 Emmett Street. Thank you.

I am hoping that I may be dismissed when Martin comes. It is now 5 1/2 months since you were here Marie. How I wish I could breathe some fresh air. (?) It seems almost embarrassing to mention in each letter that I write about being dismissed from the hospital. But I wish that there wouldn't be some excuse brought up. I feel so weary at the present time. (?)

You haven't answered my question if you have written to Mr. Mullen. I wish you would pause and think about my problem. Must I remind you again to please respect my wishes. Is it to much to ask? But if I may be dismissed when Martin comes I shall try to remember to write you as soon as possible. And I will tell you then about my belongings which are in storage. Oh I hope my things are safe.

I had a nice card from my brother Garfield and I am wondering if he will help me and if I can stay at his house. He has enough room. 

Please write soon Marie and perhaps you had better send your letter air-mail. I must close with Christmas greetings to your all. Be sure and send my cousin Anna in Chicago a card and handkerchief.

From Mother. 

Your package has been received

Will you send him a dicktionary

August 1, 1948.

Marie dear -

I received your letter dated July 2nd and I was glad to hear from you and that you arrived safely back to your home. Marie I wish very much that you had come this way on your return trip and why didn't you think of it? As it was I did not see your children at all. And when you were in Lincoln it was so hot. The main reason for your visit was to see about me being dismissed from this hospital was my impression. And so the different other things I wished to ask you I did not have tim to talk about. I wish you would have returned to Lincoln Marie and I can not help but feel deeply hurt because I only saw you 2 times. You wrote that you wish I were not in the hospital. I am very thankful for the dresses and at present I am wearing the white one. I have worn the shoes and they are a little tight across the toes but I hope I can have them stretched in the near future.

I surely appreciate the scarf and please buy yourself another to wear when necessary. And let your hair grow long as well as your daughter's hair.

I received the postal card from your father when he was out there. I thought that your father would be out to visit to-day, but Martin wrote that they wouldn't be here. And Marie Martin is a poor speller and please will you send him a dicktionary as soon as possible with large letters and plain ones yes please let me know as soon as you hear from that man and I told the nurse you were going to see him.

I received a letter from Lottie and Kodak pictures. That surely is not a good picture of Betty is it? Lottie also sent me 2 pairs of stockings and will you please send her a card and let her know what I have wrote that I have received also $2.00 enclosed and thank her. Marie would you please send Martin about $5.00 as soon as possible? And please send $5.00 to the Central Storage & Van Co., 814-16 South 14th Street. Ask them to send you a receipt and the balance which I owe. Thank you. Mother.

P.S. I am sending the clipping because I read that Miss King refused offers in order to take care of mother who was not very well.

A Daughter Should Take A Real Interest

Omaha, Nebr.

March 3, 1948.

Marie -

I received your letter dated Feb. 16th and I will now answer this morning. I have been expecting to receive the articles that you were going to send to me. So far I haven't received them Marie but I hope they are on the way. I sent you something I had made. It is for your birthday and please let me know when you receive it and how you like it although late. You didn't mention how you spent the day but write next time whether you spent the day in any special way (your birthday).

Have you received more than 1 letter from Mrs. Finegan? I have talked to her 2 times and I was hoping to talk to her before I write. I have payed part of the storage bill at the storage and van co., and I wish to pay the balance. Yes of-coarse I want to keep my possessions. I wish Mrs. Finegan would come and tell me the amount due and you may write her that because I don't know exactly. You know I have not been out-side the hospital grounds since I came here which will be 10 months the 13th of March. I can hardly realize it. I am so glad that you wrote that perhaps you can help me. So Marie I am pleased to have you write that, and it seems only natural that a daughter should take a real interest. I talked to the supervisor Monday and I said I had not answered your letter and would like to know before I write about being released. In this department a patient has to have some one call for them. That is why I had hoped your father would help me. I have written to but received no answer. So I hope Marie that you and Elin will be kind and help me. The nurse said that if I should be released and live by my-self I would need to go on relief and Dr. Y. would not permit that. You remember that when I first came here that I was dismissed after the 1st month. I have asked your father when he has been out if he would take me out. But he will have to help me. Haven't you written that my wishes should be considered that also another time about being independent?

So Marie I hope I can talk to the nurse again who is the supervisor for this department about being released. And now thanking you in advance. And when you receive this please write to Elin in your own words about me. And then when I know how you can help I will write and let you know.

This morning the sun is out and now the sky is a pale blue like a winter sky. There has been several inches of snow. As far as I can see from the window the ground is covered with snow.

I received a short letter from Martin recently and have already answered it. He wrote that he had a stamp collection. Lottie has received the nuresy chair.

I wrote a letter to you but I hope you received it after you sent your last letter to me. Thank you again for the candu Marie. Betty received the apron I sent her. But I haven't heard from Elin if she received the apron I sent and so when you write please mention that.

So now I must come to a close and say good-by. Please answer as soon as possible Marie.

Good-by,

I am, As ever,

Your,

Mother.

P.S. Read over my letter when you write to me.

Excuse pencil.

Happy Birthday, Mark!