ETHEL NIVER WORSTELL (1891-1986) A Gathering from Ethel Niver Worstell's Letters and Poems Preface by Edith Worstell Hayes April 20, 1991 PREFACE MY Mother erwas a pioneer woman. This ca:lt'"be-n)~e- lifestyle that-atl"'--'Wf' women 1ived in the first half of the 19th centwy( on the farms and m iliesmall towns of the Midwest 1 e them, ip. a prn@4-before electricity, Ethel Niver Worstell worked from sun-up to long after sundown b kerosene m~washed clothes on a board'alw-ays~ed on a wood stov ,Ironed 8I:ess..up.clothes with irons eate on th "'cooking stove or on jhe pot-bellied stove that' Q hea our farm house l~ing room.~ ~he).atf learned sew~@at-om~ at college, so was able to make our coats, suits, and all our clothes even when we were in high school. 'She looked 'e'-ef.u 'fl~ldfe --~s· orne r s. She nursed us when we had whooping cough and measles, and colds or flu--and never had to call a doctor. We enjoyed her. For our many birthdays, there was always a special meal and cake with candles. And she taught us all to help with the work and garden work. She thought all girls should take Home Economics--cooking and sewing--in school. My sisters and I "demonstrated" making muffins and other things at the fair. She thought it would hi" 6~ for us. She organized and we helped tend excellent gardens. Ethel Niver Worstell was a pioneer in other ways. She was one of the early women students in Home Economics at Kansas State College in Manhattan. She was a good manager. One summer the grocery bill for one month was $8. The rest of the food was from our garden, milk cow and chickens. Her and Dad's main interest and concern was to have their children get a good education and make something of themselves. Mother was always shy, while Dad was the opposite. She had to be careful about her advi,.c , comments and suggestions, about the farm and what to buy. Dad was very sensitive and didn't want a woman, even his wife, telling him how to run the farm. Writing letters was my mother's way of socializing. Her lifelong friends lived far away. She had very few neighbors, and after the children had left, her letters were a way of telling them the news about the family, and staying close. Until her death, my mother and I wrote to each other each week about our families, or what we were doing, about flowers and weather, ever since my own marriage in 1940. Many weeks she heard from all of her daughters, seldom from the boys. She remembered all the children's and spouses' and grandchildren's and greats' birthdays with cards that she re-cycled, often with poems. I am selecting a few of my mother's writings, letters and poems, to let her. tell you about herself. One letter, written in 1972, just before my father's death, contains her Brief Summary of Ethel Niver Worstell's Early Life and Where She Lived. In that same year, she also wrote Other Events in Our Lives to append to the autobiography my father was writing, Memories ofVard Worstell .. "BRIEF SUMMARY OF ETHEL WORSTELL NIVER'S EARLY LIFE AND WHERE SHE LIVED" and 'OTHER EVENTS IN OUR LIVES' interspersed in ita1lcs",) Written by Ethel Niver Worstell, ca. 1972 I was born July 28, 1891, at Wellsville, New York My mother was Hattie Burden Niver, who was born October 26, 18 ,at Brighton, Illi- nois. My father was William Niver. born March 11.1859, at Friendship. New York. Father had studied penmanship, art. and business. shorthand and penmanship. He taught at McKeesport, Pennsylvania and also at Harri- man. Tennessee, when I was small. Later he moved back to Friendship. New York. and we lived on a farm near there unttl 1878, when we moved to Kansas. My twin brother and sister. Cecil and Sybil. were born in Friendship. May 10. 1897. . When we first went to Kansas, my parents had a small hotel at Free- port. but soon moved to Anthony. where my father worked as book- keeper In a hardware store. My mother. who was Interested in flowers. as I am. had a porch enclosed on the house in Anthony. and used it as a conservatory for plants. She heard of a small greenhouse for sale at Hutchinson, Kansas. and we moved there in 190l. She kept the greenhouse until 1909. She had the flu that year. It affected her heart. so she didn't think she was able to keep on with greenhouse work. Our next move was to a 10 -acre tract of land one and a half miles west of Hutchinson. My father had done house painting. both interior and outside painting. Our next move was to run a small hotel which my mother rented. at Inman. Kansas. In 1910. . I graduated from high school there in 1910. In the fall of 1911, my mother thought it would be best to move to Manhalt- n so I could attend college there. Things didn't work out well, so we s iyed only about half a year. We went back to the hotel in In- man, which was for sale at the time. [This was our lIth move during my years at home.) I attended college In Manhattan during 1912-13. and part of 1914. I did not graduate. as I had a sick spell [ perhaps the influenza of 1914 ) and couldn't finish the last part of 1914. During part of this time. my father was living and proving up on a homestead claim In western Kansas, near Coolidge. Part of each year had to be lived there for so many years -- I think it was 5 years -- and some crops put in. Not much was done with it after he proved it up. not even rented. as I remember. Land wasn't being farmed so much then. and later the dust storms were bad where land had been cultivated. Much later. that homestead land became a burden for my mother to pay taxes on it. so she turned it over to us so we could trade it as a down payment for the place where we--my husband Yard. myself. and our nine children) now Hve--here in Missouri. It was a life-saver after we had lost our farm in Iowa in the Depression--but more of that later. I met Vard Worstell at Kansas State College in Manhattan. He gradu- ated in 1914. We were married on Christmas Day. 1914. at Inman, Kansas. and we went to live in Medford. Minnesota. where he had a job as Agriculture Teacher in a rural high school. Our oldest, Charles, was born there. December 20. 1915. and the following summer we moved to Carrington. North Dakota. to a larger school. Sybil was born there. May 30. 1917. Vard and I both liked the people and country at Medford -- our first home. Cold-pack canning was introduced that first year at Medford. Yard gave demonstrations as part of his work. The wash boiler. or other large container. was used to process the beans for two hours in hot water. (Quite different from today when' 25 to 35 minutes is all that is required by pressure cooker.l I canned many beans that way and also corn. which required three hours oj cooking . We left for our new home in Carrirtgton. North Dakota. in June. going in our old Model-T Ford. Charles was about six months old. We went out of our way to visit friends (formerly from Med- ford) in northern Minnesota. at Hill City. The roads at that time were very poor. To make them passable. logs were laid across the road. making what they called "corduroy roads." In driving on them. one went "bumpty-bump," but they kept the vehicles from becoming mired. Along one section they had tried to improve further by having a deep ditch along each side of the narrow road. About this time the car became hard to steer and would veer from side to side. I sat there holding Charles and was petrtfied that at any minute we would land in the ditch. Fortunately we passed that crisis and continued to a town where bracers were put on the car and so had no more trouble in that way. Since our furniture was shipped by rail and took some time. the superintendent at Carrington had arranged a place for us to stay in a lawyer'S home while they were on vacation. Wefound a house and the furniture arrived. The teachers and country people were very congenial. .... Yard liked the work and also the people, but the winters were too frigid and too long. Also. at that time, we felt there was not too much future in teaching. There were opportuni- ties in County Agent work {new then] ..... In the spring of 1918. Yard got his job as Adams County's first County Agent. and we moved to Corning. Iowa. He felt more future in that work than in teaching. as County Agent work was being started in Iowa and more and more counties were taking it up at that time. 2 The people oJComtng and Adams County veryftiendly, and we enjoyed the climate not so cold as Minnesota or North Dakota. County Agent work had its drawbacks, so in the spring of 1922, we acquired an orchard six or seven miles west of Corning. It had had a caretaker for several years and was run down. but we had a bumper crop of apples our first year. and we learned much about the care and selling of apples. ..r-""\ The family had grown [James and Duane were also born while we were in Adams County] and our house was very small. so we decided to build. Our orchard property had a small house -:five small rooms, two upstairs, but a large bam and other buildings. Two mules, Bob and Maude, came with the farm: The barn was used as a grading shed at apple-picking time. We managed to build what was called a sleep- ing porch, which was used during the summer months. The children went to a country school called Quincy, about two miles Jrom our [arm. Even though the house was small, we squeezed Helen in April 21, 1924, and two years later, James on April 22, 1926. Years passed and we had good apple crops, built a large chicken house, and acquired hogs and some cattle. There was some ground for corn and we rented some land. With our growing family we felt it very necessary to build a larger house--it proved our fallure. We failed to buy an architect's plan. and the carpenter built the house more elaborate than we had planned or wanted. We never did com- plete the woodwork in the upstairs bedrooms and the furnace was never installed. We did enjoy it as it was. Mary was bom March 10,1928 .... and Duane on January 1,1931. Lightning struck our large bam which. added to a poor apple crop, Vard's accident, the debt for building house, and the depression, caused us to give up the place. Depression hit many: Farm land which formerly sold for $300. an acre, was sold for half '.', that, and not many wanted it; corn sold for 8 to 15 cents a bushel, eggs for 5 cents a dozen. and there was no market for cattle or hogs. By rais-ing a garden and with fruit from the orchard, we were better off than many who lived in the cities. Some banks had to go out oj business. Giving up the orchard and "dream house" was very hard but later proved to be best, as it led us to our present home near the University [of Missouri] where most of our children were able to attend and further their education, which was our aim in life. In March 1933, we moved from Iowa to Kansas, near Troy, where we rented an orchard. This was about 16 miles west oj St. Joseph. Missouri, a good place to sell any produce. We had a spraying machine which was needed for the orchard. Moving at that time in the midst oj the depression, made it extra hard, but we managed as one usually can if have the will to do so. Charles furnished a pick- uP. to help make the trip. James and Helen rode with him and as 3 That summer. Charles. Sybil. Edith. and Dorothy picked straw- berries for one or two cents a box. We had garden or fruit-- cherries. strawberries and. later. apples. Owen was bom June 25. 1933 .... they went through Maryville. there was a parade for President Roosevelt's inauguration. When we left Iowa. we took our team-- a mule named Bob and a mare called Betty. A neighbor drove this team and pulled a hay rack filled with miscellaneous belongings. "Bob" was the name oj a wondeiful mule And believe me. he was no JooL He could open a special gate on any a day And to a neighbor's sped on his way. Neighbor wasn't pleased at all with his find, So tied a tin can to his tail which jingled behind. He never bucked nor kicked as mules often do But had other ways which were unusual. too: If someone chose to ride without a bridle to guide. Under a tree he would go and olfthey would slide. Bob was the leader and often did open the way For cows to get into comfieui or hay. Maude was the name oj Bob's mate. Gentle andfaitliful and very sedate Much good work did they give in their way. So we remember them to this day. Maude passed away as mules do 'in time. A mare named Betty for a mate. we did find; They worked well as a team and to Kansas. they did take Some oj our possessions we could not forsake. Later. another move to a home in Missouri-Bob's last. After thirty years. he departed leaving memories oj his past. Bad economic conditions ... 1934 was a very dry year and since / pasture was scarce. elm trees were cut down so the cows could eat the leaves .... We decided to move where there was a college close-by. Missouri. with the University at Columbia, seemed the best place Jor / further education oj the Jamily. We lived there till 1936. when we moved to a farm near Browns Sta- tion. Missouri. and the next spring we acquired this place where we-:> have now settled. 0/ It was another dry year. Fortunately we had planted some early potatoes which we were able to sell. It was about the only thing which paid. It was too hot for tomatoes to set on. but we had a little early garden. We had brought plenty oj canned apples Jor the orchard in Kansas so we had that to eat. When the milk cow was dry. we were fortunate to be able to get 4 skim milk Jrom a generous neighbor, along with asparagus, in season, as they had an abundance oj it. There was a large chicken house, and we raised and dressed fruers. One customer said he didn't want any leghorns, but when they were dressed, he didn't know the difference .... We were able to buy a place near Hinton after my Mother turned her land in western Kansas (which my Jather had homesteaded) over to us. It wasn't bringing her in anything and she had taxes to pay on it. [It became the down-paymentJor home and farm.l At last we had a place oj our own, and with the help oj all we managed. The boys helped with the chores and haying, and the girls with the garden and household chores, and picked blackberries to can. Dad rented some river-bottom land to raise corn: in 1946 our children had a picnic down there on Helen's birthday and James swam the Missouri River. (She describes the children's education) Many of our grand-children are also interested in a higher educa- tion, and so Yard Worstell's (and her own) struggle Jor a higher education and success is being reflected in the coming generation. It takes a long time for one to settle sometimes. I tried to make the best of where we lived, and found enjoyment in each one. Many things about each not so good, but best to look ahead and hope for the best. Everyone has some difficulties and sometimes hard to adjust to our surroundings, but we can if we try hard enough. I see many things now that could have been different, but we don't know what's best at the time. My only regret has been that we couldn't give more to our children as they were growing up, but they seemed to weather it. and I am proud of them. I am sorry some have had the troubles they have, but hope we haven't been the cause if it. (Probably written after Yard's death in 1974) ETHEL WORSTELL'S LETTER. "CHRISTMAS MORNING OF 1972" Dear Edith, Am up early as usual, all is quiet in the house, just the hum vi u'le fur- nace. Dad did not stir when I looked in on him. I was thinking before I got up, of 58 years ago. No thoughts then of how or what life would be like in 58 years. Don't think we often look far into the future at that time. It is all present feelings then. I don't believe I ever told you about our wedding. By the way, I have two friends living, who were there that day. Zenita Cory and Mabel Ely, sister of Eva. 5 I think my mother felt Christmas Day be best time and to be at noon. Mother was very emotional. After the ceremony, she had everything ready to sit down to a Wedding Dinner (or Christmas one.) I remember she didn't want a congratulation period or something like that. I just had a simple white dress, no veil or anything, no bouquet of flowers to throw, so you see it was not up to date as weddings go, but it has lasted. We left on an afternoon train for Manhattan, where we visited a few days with friends, and then on to Medford where a house was waiting and Dad had it furnished. (He wasn't Dad then.) We have had many homes since then, and I have been happy in all of them. At times, things have seemed hard, but we weathered them and we have had nothing so serious that we couldn't take. Your Dad seems to think I may not be happy, and says I lost my love for him since I am not affectionate now. Perhaps some do continue to be so, but I never was as much as many. I do remember, he came back one time to kiss me as missed his train. Enough of my long ago thoughts, now back to the present. We will eat drink--milk and water--and nothing special today. My thoughts are of other Christmas times when all or many-were at home. One was when you and Bruce came, he was -S, and how delighted he was opening the packages for each of us. Another was when Dorothy and I went to Owen's at Barnesville. and the children were small. Another, in 1940, was when we went to Grandma Goslin's., That was the year Cole (our first grand-child--Charles and Esther's) was born, and you had just married, so just the younger ones went. I would need all my girls and then some, to have much of a Christmas celebration now. I get tired just d!!l!!g. but not extra things, so I need my rest periods ..... Dorothy sent a small package not to be opened till today. It was writ- ing paper, tablet, envelopes, pens with refills and Motto to embroider -- a sampler with all the threads A House is ~ of Brick- and. Stone But a Horne is ~ of Love alone . ... Now for Dad, has been getting around better but yesterday seemed to be more quiet. Didn't sleep well, he said, seemed cold . ... Dad is not his usual self, at times gets fussy but seems to take things very calmly. He did get breakfast in bed at times, but didn't want it (this morning), but very hard to get up and into chair and then harder to get out of chair and back to bed. He can do that now with cane to steady him .... Seems to enjoy anything and all I fix for him but not as much as usual. 6 POEMS Happy Birthday to a daughter true, Who is faithfu! through and through. Loving, kind and helpful. too, Ajlawless diamond is her worth-- Always a sparkle with her mirth. Thoughiful oj others who come her way, Always busy by night or day, Doing Jobs which others scom, Doing now, not waiting till mom-- Thinking oj others, its always the same. A nursing career adds to her jame. Cheerful. and happy for all to see, This second daughter means so very much to me. This was my first attempt at verse-making, so I guess I should dedicate it to you. It expresses it all and holds up for the 14 years since I wrote it. "For Edith, May 4, 1970." TO GRANDDAUGHTER I have cookedjor many a year, Mostly for those I love so dear. So these lines I send you today Are to wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Cooking is to prepare jood with heat-- That goes for vegetables as well as meat. For some, cooking is a necessity; to others it's a lark. Some cook to eat, others find it an art. Now, it's into the ouen, our oj the freeze. Dinner is ready. Oh! what a breeze! If you can read, you can bake a cake. If you have money, you can buy it baked. Some measure with spoon or cup so it's right-- Sugar, flour, or eggs beaten to make it light. . That was my Mothers way and the way I was taught. To some it tastes better if it is bought. The tantalizing smell oj fresh baked bread is something to erY0Y, even if calories we dread. Cakes or pies are a specialty oj some. A prize-winning recipe is tried by another one. A lovely Angelfood is so flulfy and light. Or a lemon pie is another's delight. Jellies and jams=uihai a treat! Both to admire and also to eat. Now, which is best, it's never too late, To leam like Grandmother, or be up-to-date? 7 THE SIMPLE UFE The simple life is the life for me, No frills or pretenses, just plain as can be. My garden grows in the simple way, The simple vegetables used every day. Flowers in my garden are the simple kind, No hybrids or unusual size do I find. Fragrance is not lost, but very real. And I enjoy all with much zeal. Country life is the simplest life I find, No noise or traffic to mar my mind. The cheery chirp of birds is music to my ear. Clean air! So no pollution do I fear. Simplest dress is best for me. You see, Changing fashion is just not for me. Modem ways should be taken in stride-- Let simplicity rule and not your pride. No popular drinks do I care to partake. Milk and fruit juices are best for health's sake. Simple food served in simple ways Keep me healthy and happy on all days. NO DREAM --- BUT REAU1Y Tomatoes, tomatoes, they seem to be everywhere-- In the garden, on the porch, but always to pare. Pink, yellow, red, or green, as you can see: Once called a "love apple"--that they may be. They may be canned, fried, or fixed to broil Or, perhaps, to use in a stew wrapped in aluminum foil. Or as juice, paste or sauce, and stored in a can All ready to open, heat, and serve from a pan. An aristocrat will drink the juice cold and call it a cocktail: But some prefer it heated, especially if you ail. As catsup on hamburger served in a bun, Young ones find eating them much more fun. Tomato sauces added to pasta or meat Make a good meal that's hard to beat. They make a lovely salad served in many ways-- Plain for every day or dressed up for special days. My dream is over and so is this pun. So back to your cans, which I fill for fun, For you, or your, when you come to call Next spring, summer, winter, or fall. 8 DAFFODILS (This poem was published) Ever since my childhood days I've loved the Daffodil so gay. In spring my yard is very bright. So this poem I did write. The Daffodil so yellow and bright Gladdens our soul after winter's long night. Nodding heads inJriendly greeting; Making memories forever lasting. Even though neglectedJor some reason. Daffodils appear at just the right season. Larger and more beautiful than before, Their loveliness delights us more and more. No Jormal bed do Daffodils ask, Just a small niche to perform their task. Beside Jences or along pathways. Beauty is there on all spring days. Bowing heads Jrom wind and cold. But sunshine brings out the gold, Adding beauty to the drab life Many suffer in this world oj strife. (POEM) One May day when I was tired andJeeling blue. And strawberry picking seemed endless. too, A letter came which made meJeelfine, Saying, Edith and Susan were due in short time. They picked many berries and saved themJor others, Sisters, [tietuis, neighbors and brothers. Eating was better than picking, thought Susan, Who later went to visit a Javorite cousin. Edith's work oj planting plants and watering oj several kinds, So garden work would not get behind. While there were peas to pick and shell and freeze, Making meal-getting in winter a breeze. Many days a telephone callJrom [her] husband Will Edith's Dad ~lad he didn't have to pay the bill Massaging Dad's back, the pain to ease, Never complaining, just wanting to please. No job too menial or hard a task And all done without being asked. Then the day came and she had to depart. It made us sad and heavy at heart. She's promised to return at a later time, So we have memories and will get letters always fine. 9 A Poem Ethel Niver Worstell Liked I think that I shall never see a postage stamp too highfor me. A stamp that covers many miles to take my loved one joy and smiles. A stamp that goes to those who care and welcome all the news I share. A stamp that's such a tiny thing and yet such happiness can bring. A stamp that's gone from two to twenty (nine) but still I'll buy plenty. A stamp that is cheaper by Jar than many other things we buy are. Yes, I think that I shall never see a postage stamp that's too high for ME. A LETTER Saturday mornmg, October 13, 1973 Dear Edith, Thought you might like to know that yesterday was a raining day. I had plenty to do inside, so it didn't upset my plans. Seems each day is about same and I would like a change. Am glad I have plenty to do so won't get bored, but I get tired of canning, washing, and hunting for suit- able --so many lids have nicks, so don't fit or not right size.) I thought wouldn't need to fix any more tomatoes but there they were, just staring at me and begging to be picked. I ended up canning nearly 4 quarts of Juice. I peel apples and pears while watching 1V afternoon and most of evenings. Other night. I took time off to read, and got interested and read too late, so yesterday felt draggy and not ambitious. Last night I went to bed earlier, had a good sleep, woke early, and have incentive to write of my troubles. Still haven't heard from Sybil or James but your and Mary's letters camethis week. Should hear from Dorothy today unless it gets washed away. Helen was to leave last Friday or Saturday for Texas and Louisi- ana. She will write when knows when can get here. Dad feels like she won't have much time to stay here, but I am hoping he's wrong for we need to be "winterized." Gas man filled us up and said felt be able to keep us going. We hear so much about trouble people are expecting with all kinds of fuel. Seems some of our modern day luxuries may not be luxuries after all. A craze for canning and gardening seems to have hit many from what I hear. 10 Well, my way doesn't change, as I have always stuck to using and raising and preserving all I can and could. Am so glad I am able, even if I do complain. Dad still tries to walk each day, but didn't yesterday as just got back with the mail when rain began and continued tlll went to bed. Was a flash or two and a little rumble in night early. Guess I got (your) Robert's [birthday) card off soon enough. Afraid wasn't very good, and seems I find it hard to think of right things to write to the younger generation, They probably think of me as a "square," or maybe there is another favorite word now. When I look in the looking-glass, I see a withered, gnarled old lady with stringy hair and faded clothes, but still not ready for the rocking chair. I thought of thts 'frees and people are alike in many ways, Both show the effect oj age in later days. 'frees' odd shape [is] often due to weather and abuse. People too show their age after some misuse. But each new season brings hope anew, And man also hopes Jor more years too. Perhaps you think the weather has me down, but I am ready to go to- day, can, clean or whatever comes first. Worst is, I am so slow that things seem to pile up on me. I did the other morning take time to watch the sunrise change its colors. They were all soft and of many different shades. Am glad I can see such and appreciate them. Was an unusual sunset, too .... Each time I have a Birthday to remember, I get out my big sack of cards and find one which fits my thoughts. For some, I don't try to fix up one, for as I say, my thoughts are getting stale and "rusty" .... Christmas is coming and I haven't any new thoughts. Guess will have to use old ones. Guess your ["Christmas Pretties" Jor mountain schools] are beginning to take shape, and hope more come in so you can fill your list as usual. Nice you have let them know how important ... [education is.) CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS Christmas thoughts are now in my mind. Christmas means love to share with mankind. Christmas means giving with love Jrom the heart: Let it come Jreely: always doing our part. Christmas brings memories from friends oj Jormer days With cards, letters, visits, or in other ways. Christmas is happiness and time to be glad-- Putting aside our troubles: no time to be sad. 11 HAPPY TIlANKSGNING (Also published) Some give thanks only on Thanksgiving Day. But I'm TIlANKFUL for many things each day: For a devoted daughter* and son-in-law who bring me daily nourishment And overlook my idiosyncrasies while giving special treatment. I'm TIlANKFUL that I'm able to see the flowers. especially the daffodil And the iris. when at blooming time they give me such a thrill. I'm TIlANKFUL that I can see and admire a lovely sunset; That I'mfinancially independent and not in debt. I'm TIlANKFULfor all myfriends andfamily members Whose frequent letters. cards and visits prove they remember. However. I do wish some would use a megaphone to talk Because buying a hearing aid is where I balk. I'm TIlANKFUL that I live in this country And not where human rights are denied along with liberty. Nor. where innocent people are victims of others' greedy ways. I'm TIlANKFUL the Creator has given me these blessings for my TIlANKSGNING DAys. "Helen and Mitch ( "June 1970 -- The Beginning! " A TRIBUTE TO DAD ON HIS 84TH BIRTIfDAY }-;aving a Birthday on the twenty-second is fine. It's also grand to be the Father of nine. And Grandfather of thirty-nine! The Great-grandchildren. who now number five. Will keep the Worstell name alive. Unselfish and helpjid. in many ways; Encouragement to learn given all his days. Perseverance he had; an education his goal-- Once attained. it's better than gold. Hardships were many. but borne with a grin. Accidents he had. but never gave in. A Faithful husband all through the years. Giving much jou, butfew tears. A loving Father. so we all testify; Appreciated more as the years go by. Wife. children. and grandchildren all say. "Much happiness to you on your 84th BIRTHDAY/" 12 MERRY CHRISTMAS I realize as I sit and meditate at ninety years of age, That I've reached my limitation for composing rhymes to fill a page. Hence, I'll share with you a poem I enjou-: My way of wishing you the very best in CHRIS1MAS JOY. FAREWELL Do not grieve when I have passed away, Wishing you had done more on some day. Your loving thoughts and ways gave pleasure And always came up to a very.good measure. The best for me was always in your mind, So gifts and remembrances on special days did I find. My husband was always faithful and true; Children very understanding and considerate, too. My life has never seemed dull or drab-- Too much of Nature asking Just to grab! A lovely sunrise, a promise of a good day; Sunsets and rain-bows admired in aJoyful way. Birds, too, gave me songs to listen. also marvelled at dew or frost when I saw it glisten. I never had any desire for great wealth, But felt fortunate for good health. Never envious of the goodfortune of a neighbor, Nor any grudge did I ever harbor. Thanks again for my faithful nine; Hope your children will be faithful as mine. November 1977 - Ethel Niver Worstell,