READING GRANDFATHER MORRISON'S LETTERS WITH MOTHER
I came to see Mother and arrived Monday evening, Eleanor had requested that someone read her letters that her father wrote her. Although there were boxes and boxes of correspondence she saved, the letters from family were well organized in to two small brown boxes. In one box the letters were sorted alphabetically, and the other had letters grouped with rubber bands. In that second box with the large bundles, was just a few letters that were held together with a bobby pin. I knew instantly that those letters were the few that her father wrote.
When I saw Eleanor Tuesday morning, I waited for a quiet time with just her and me together to read the letters. I had no idea why others in my family could not find these letters, and then as I read them it came very clear, it was me that was meant to read the letters. See my full name is Paul Leslie Rother, I was named after my grandfather James Leslie Morrison.
As I read the letters to her we both cried. I am now as old as he was when he wrote the letters in 1954. He was a rural mail carrier in the town of Salisbury, Missouri, back in the days where all you needed was a name and a city to address the mail. (At least if you worked in the post office!) My mother had four kids (not counting my dad) and money was tight. He placed his faith in me, a new born, to carry on the good name of Leslie, and make him proud.
I am glad I had this special time with her, and was my parting moment with her I will never forget.
-Paul
Salisbury, Mo.
Feb 14 1954
Dearest Eleanor + Family,
How are you? We wonder about you a lot. I wish we were closer so we
could come to see you oftener, and especially to see little Paul Leslie
now. Yes, I think it was mighty fine of you and Charlie to put the
Leslie in his name as I never had a chance to use it for a son. Now I
can have a name sake in a grandson. and I know I shall be very proud of
him as I am of your other 3 fine little folk. I know the other children
must be very excited over him.
Eleanor I feel proud that you think enough of me to ask for little
things I can do for you in times of need. and I don't want you to think
of them as loans, but just as of help with the children and also to help
you to take care of yourself, so you can be with them to help raise
them. for they can have nothing like a Mother's love in their young
lives.
While we were very fortunate in having a wonderful step Mother, after
my Mother died, I often wonder how it might have been to have has my own
Mother until I was older.
Helen Jean did not come home this weekend as she and the girls she
lives with went into K.C. to go with Martha to a concert by the Boston
Pops Orchestra. I believe that is it? I am glad she can be close where
she can see Martha often as they seem to enjoy things together so much.
They will probably be home next weekend as it is HJ's birthday during
the week.
I guess John is enjoying his school a lot now. We were glad to see
the works of color art and writing he is doing. Virgil Smith [a fellow
post carrier friend of his] said his little girl in 1st grade didn't
want to do anything but draw pictures and color with crayons. I told
him from the samples you had sent us of John's. I thought that must be
the style in the 1st grade. Tell him I said he is doing just fine and I
am proud of him. Tell him I said he could teach Paul Leslie when he got
a little older. I expect it keeps him busy trying to teach Mark and
Nancy now.
Well Eleanor, I had an interruption to my writing as Fred Lakers
called and wanted us to go driving with them, so we went and had a nice
trip with them.
Eleanor, do try to take care of your self and not over-do. Keep the
maid another week or two if you need her and I will pay her wages.
Hoping this will find you all well and fine. I must close for this
time.
with love to you all, Daddy