Filling in with some background information during a letter-writing hiatus from October 6 to November 9, 1949, as June recuperates at the hospital from a ruptured appendix…
As mentioned in yesterday’s entry, Art’s mother was possibly the sweetest person in town. It’s difficult to describe this, although everyone who knew her could attest to it. The sweetness wasn’t cloying, but a very unusual and rare strain of gentleness that went hand-in-hand with a very active life. She was always doing something – organizing a potluck dinner at the church, or cooking in her kitchen, or serving as an airplane spotter at Cooper’s Beach during World War II. She was quiet, attentive, caring, and never hurtful. She never said anything negative to anyone about anything. According to the family, her mother before her (the Pierson side of the family) had these same qualities.
As mentioned in yesterday’s entry, Art’s mother was possibly the sweetest person in town. It’s difficult to describe this, although everyone who knew her could attest to it. The sweetness wasn’t cloying, but a very unusual and rare strain of gentleness that went hand-in-hand with a very active life. She was always doing something – organizing a potluck dinner at the church, or cooking in her kitchen, or serving as an airplane spotter at Cooper’s Beach during World War II. She was quiet, attentive, caring, and never hurtful. She never said anything negative to anyone about anything. According to the family, her mother before her (the Pierson side of the family) had these same qualities.
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| Art's charcocal sketch of his sister Dorothy. |
Both Art and his younger sister Dorothy inherited this strain of gentleness. Art would always be the quiet one in the group, enjoying good company but rarely joining in if the mood turned critical or insulting. He always looked for the good in people. And he also inherited something of that love of activity from his mother, always happy to be on the move – walking, driving, and exploring new places. June appreciated these qualities in Art right from the start.
Countdown: Correspondence resumes in 25 days.
(On Sunday, June grows up in Riverhead…)
© 2010 Lee Price
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