Old Times Remembered 2

Old Times Remembered (1940-1944)

Mary Alice Hearn Heard

In this issue we continue our odyssey through Florence and Aubrey's early correspondence. The excerpts taken below come from letters written during 1940 through 1945. These were eventful years during their lives. They sold their little house and moved to a larger house up the street at 2115 Westwood Ave. Two more daughters, Mildred and Marcia, joined the family. Aubrey began working with the Editorial Department at the Sunday School Board, somewhat diminishing his traveling, and he also came out in 1943 with his first book, Alcohol the Destroyer. In connection with his alcohol studies Aubrey was able to attend a month-long series of seminars at the Yale School of Alcohol Studies (during the month of July, 1943, right before Marcia's birth). During this period the family began attending Immanuel Baptist Church, where Aubrey became Training Union director. Aubrey's spare time was spent arranging programs for Training Union, selling Community Concert tickets, and writing articles to make extra money. Sadie McLemore became a steady helper and welcome friend as Florence's work load increased. In order to make ends meet Aubrey and Florence took in more boarders, so much so that during some of these years the family was living in two bedrooms. She also had occasional care of the vegetable garden and the chickens. Two worries that plagued the family during these days: Charles' recurrent ear infections and subsequent mastoid surgery (in Memphis in May, 1943) and the possibility that Aubrey would be drafted. It was in hopes of avoiding the latter that he sought a commission in the Navy. We reproduce these excerpts in hopes that you will acquire a new appreciation for what your parents/grandparents went through. A secondary benefit should be a renewed appreciation for what you have.
AUBREY Grand Canyon, AZ March 17, 1940	I am perched up on a ledge of rock on the rim of the canyon. There is a drop of about 500 feet straight below me. I asked an Indian boy to make a picture of me standing here, and if it is good you can get some idea of the inspiring scene below. It is positively awe inspiring. Imagine a giant hole in the ground, 13 miles across. There is snow on the sides of the mountain. The canyon itself is so immense and so majestic that one can scarcely begin to describe it. I should be in Sunday School at this hour. But this is about as good a substitute as I know.
AUBREY En route Hobbs, New Mexico June 3, 1940	I know you will be busy packing up. But please take time out to put dirt and flowers in the boxes. Be careful with dirt so as not to get the boxes (exterior) dirty. I suggest calias and petunias. Unless set out right away we won't have many flowers this summer.
AUBREY Little Rock, AR July 2, 1940	I'm afraid you have not been getting enough rest. Why not form the habit of taking a nap with the children every day? I wish we could do more writing this month to add to our income. If you'll write several Story Hour songs I will send some editorials to the Tennessean, and be bold enough to submit them without request. I am pushing steadily against being out of debt by our anniversary.
FLORENCE Nashville July 4, 1940	Aubrey, tonight I told Charles [age 5] I would read him one Bible story. He saw Blackie Bear and decided he wanted one story in that book and one in Book of Life. I told him no and he got so mad. He said, "I want to do what I want to do!" I said, "Charles, that is what is always the matter between you and Mother. You want to have your way and I want to have mine." I told him it was just the devil who made him so stubborn. He was crying and sobbing but said this, "Well, Mother, when I am baptized I will leave the devil down in the water. But I'm not going to be baptized until I get big." I said, "Well, are you going to act this way until you get grown?" He said, "I don't mean until I get big as Daddy but when I am six or seven!" [Note: I didn't mention the fact that maybe it is the devil who makes me so stubborn too!]
FLORENCE Nashville April 7, 1941	We went to Training Union last night but it was awfully hard for me to make it. . .I began dressing them at four o'clock--just one hour after I had finished washing dishes. We left home around five. (Nancy [age 3] had to walk all the way.) It took us an hour to get there. I nearly had heart failure several times when Charles nearly ran in front of cars. When we got home it was nine o'clock before they were all in bed and asleep. From four until nine I was pushing, hurrying, fussing at the children. It just isn't worth it. That is the only afternoon I have to relax. Just when I settle down to rest I have to jump up to get them ready for Story Hour.
AUBREY Gatlinburg, TN July 19, 1941	Please look in my drawer of the secretary, lower right hand corner and get the package. It contains a few presents from the family to you. I'm sorry I can't be there to see that the proper ceremonies are observed, candles are on the cake, etc. I'm sorry I couldn't get you the gifts I wanted you to have. These are some small tokens of our love. In my haste in getting away I neglected to fix the card but I'll do that later. Ask the children to kiss you for me. Many happy returns of the day.
FLORENCE Nashville July 21, 1941	Charles was real cute this morning. He and Mary Alice were on the terrace after breakfast. One said that today was my birthday. They had remembered from Friday when I told them. Charles came in and said, "Mother, since it's your birthday, can I tell you now?" I said, "Tell me what?" He said you had showed him some presents for me and he wanted me to have them. He said, "Now where are they?" I told him you might mail them to me or might write me where you put them. They sat on the front steps an hour waiting for the postman and your letter. When it came I let Charles find the presents. They were quite thrilled over the things and I was too! You are sweet to get me such nice things. I love you for your thoughtfulness. I like every single thing you bought for me.
FLORENCE Nashville October 6, 1941	I am getting more and more thrilled over this little one, aren't you? I didn't think that possible but each day brings new meanings and deeper thrills as I think of our new-little-baby-to-be.
FLORENCE Nashville March 22, 1942	After naps this afternoon we put on our wraps and all went for a walk. Mildred [three months] slept most of the way in her sulky. Charles pushed her some of the time. When we nearly got home he said, "Mother, I wish to goodness somebody would look at our baby and say how cute she is." He kept saying over and over that he wanted somebody to look at our baby. Nobody was walking though (all riding), so nobody looked. He also said, "Mother, isn't it nice because we have a baby to look at any time we want to and some people don't."
AUBREY Bolivar, Missouri February 2, 1943	Bob Leavell, who is pastor at Clinton, introduced me today to Mr. Bush who operates one of the country's largest hatcheries there. I told him about wanting to buy 100 chicks and he said he would send me a hundred complimentary! So I must fix some place for them when I get back.
AUBREY Bolivar, Missouri February 3, 1943	The morning paper brought news of the discontinuance of the 3-A classification beginning soon. That means that I will have to get a job at Vultec, or in some essential war industry, or be drafted. There is no need to worry about it, and I am not, but I may have to look around soon for another job.
AUBREY Memphis, TN May 16, 1943	Charles is looking and feeling better. He got along fine while I was gone. . .Dr. Shea said Charles would have to stay here ten days after the operation, which means he can't be released until Friday morning. . .Charles spent a lot of time in the wheel chair both morning and afternoon. I rolled him around a lot, and he rolled himself some. . .Charles will get along fine, I feel sure. He seems like his old self once more.
AUBREY New Haven, CT July 7, 1943	The schedule [at the Yale School of Alcohol Studies] looks interesting. I have met several of the men, of whom there will be about 80. . .I asked Mrs. Orr to phone you when the vegetables in our garden are ready to harvest. Peas should be ready by Saturday. Lima beans and corn soon.
FLORENCE Nashville July 10, 1943	I registered a room today with the USO. They said things were slow today but they think they can rent it for several weeks for us. I asked $6 per week with 50 cents extra each night the soldier spent here with his wife. . .If I don't get a call from them soon I will have to put an ad in the paper.
FLORENCE New Haven, CT July 9, 1943	The chickens should be ready to eat soon. But get Mr. Wright to help you pick out the roosters. Be sure not to eat any of the pullets.
FLORENCE Nashville July 24, 1943	I wish you could see this adorable baby [Mildred] of ours. Her cold is now well and she is so cute and so sweet. She is very full of mischief and is teasing someone all of the time. She talks quite a bit too, saying short sentences of two or three words. I am getting a lot of loving from her too. . .You must hurry home to get your share.
AUBREY New Haven, CT July 27, 1943	This morning we had a discussion of vital statistics by the chief statistician of the Bureau of the Census. I got to thinking about the new birth certificate which must be filled out soon, and wondering what the name should be. I think we should agree upon a name, or rather two names, in advance so there will be no delay. If a daughter, my suggestions are: Linda Louise, or Florence Louise, or Rebecca Louise, or Elizabeth Louise, or Louise Vivian. If a son, what about the following: Jerry Allen, or James Allen, or Robert Allen, or Ray Allen, or Clyde Allen, or Allen Edgar. This phase of statistics is vital to me now, more so than the phase discussed today.
FLORENCE Nashville August 5, 1943	It won't hurt the baby not to have a name for a few days. I am just not in the mood to decide on names. You were named Delmas for six weeks after you got into the world!
FLORENCE Nashville Sept. 16, 1943	I have set aside from 11:00 to 12:00 a.m. to practice. I hope I can keep that up because I need some outside interest, and it looks as if I won't be going anywhere for a long time such as church, club, etc. If I can keep my music up and go out with my husband occasionally to a show or to walk I will be quite happy.
AUBREY Enroute Abilene January 15, 1944	I had an interesting day yesterday. I found friends in the Naval Procurement Office. The man at the information desk was. . .a Belmont Heights boy who was once in my Sunday School class. . .William was looking for me and helped make the path smooth. The officers with whom I talked were all friendly and said they would do all they could for me. I had interviews with three lieutenants, all of whom said they would recommend me for a commission. On the aptitude test, which had 100 questions to be answered in an hour, I did better than average. It was only on the very thorough physical exam that I fell down. My eyesight without glasses, my weight, and chest expansion are all below normal. This has been true all my life and I feared that these might disqualify me. But the doctor agreed to recommend a waiver on these. That means that I will not be eligible for active sea duty but can qualify for work in a naval base, as, for example, a communications specialist. This morning I talked to an ensign who says there is a great need for such specialists; so I am encouraged that I may be accepted.
FLORENCE Nashville February 14, 1944	It has been so cold for several days that the hopper has to be completely filled with coal every night. It is almost empty when I go down to fill it. I don't have time to do it until after every child is asleep.
AUBREY Greenville, SC March 16, 1944	Judging from news items about the need for men in the Navy, I have a good chance to get a commission.
AUBREY (with Charles) St. Louis, MO April 4, 1944	This morning he [Charles] asked about my birthday, and for a dime to buy something for me. He went down to the lobby and came back with two Hershey bars!
AUBREY Ridgecrest, NC July 21, 1944	P.S. Please don't go away without leaving Mildred in the house
FLORENCE Nashville July 23, 1944	Mildred has not tried to run away again. We are watching her closely.
FLORENCE Nashville July 25, 1944	I took Charles to Dr. Maness in the afternoon. The doctor said he would find out if he could get the medicine for Charles. He doubts if it will cure Charles permanently, however. He said it would probably help while we were giving it. It might do some good but he wouldn't promise. I told him I hated to miss anything that would help but we could not afford to go into a lot of expense if the treatments were not helping. They give the penicillin every six days in a muscle. It would be better to do it at the hospital, he said. Charles would probably have to spend the day there each time they give the medicine. We must pray and pray that we can get the medicine and that it will cure him. It would mean so much to him if his ears would stop draining because that is such a nervous strain, I know from experience. I believe he could hear much better if his ears were dry.
FLORENCE Nashville August 13, 1944	It is 9:20. I am in the basement washing clothes. All of the children are in bed except Miss Marcia! She is here with me in a wash tub but she doesn't like it much. I must see if I can't get her to sleep. She has bothered me a lot lately by not sleeping. I'll be glad when she is well.