Journal, 1941-1942

File — Box: 5, Volume: 22

Identifier: III

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

"If I had to choose between being the richest person (in money) in the world and being the mother of my six wonderful children, well you know such a thing as a choice between the two would never enter my mind. I am really a powerful capitalist already. My capital consists of the undivided love of a good husband, the love and miraculous unfolding into the light, of these six jewels among the young, our children."
Mary writes about an incident that is triggered by receiving an invitation from the Naval Reserve Air Base at Oakland to attend its formal dedication in which her son Bennion will be part of a demonstration flight. She says:
November 3
"Remembering the indescribable thrill that came to me as I watched Lois march across the University campus in her cap and gown, I longed with all my heart to see Bennion gliding with shining silver wings over the heads of thousands of admiring spectators. Then knowing that a mere lack of money was going to prevent me from experiencing this great happiness, I picked up the phone and called Aunt Augusta's number."
Mary was loaned the money and contacted Charles Grant and Lois and told them to make arrangements so they would leave that night for California. Mary hurriedly washed, ironed, cleaned, etc. That evening Mary had a change of heart, realizing that she would be expected to repay the money needed for this trip. She writes:
"How could I pay her back? We were unable to pay our current bills and debts. I knew it then with a deadly certainty. We just weren't going."
When she told her family this she says:
"All I heard was the same muffled exclamations of incredulity from each sleepy child. Charles wasn't surprised, he was also greatly relieved. I broke into a storm of choked sobbing inspite of my efforts to keep calm. I was ashamed of what I had done. The whole thing had been crazy."
Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor Mary who seems to have believed false rumors of attack on the West Coast writes:
December 10
I'm glad Bennion was called away from Oakland because the West Coast was attacked just one week after he left here for the Texas camp.
Now I suppose both Grant and Kenneth will be drafted into training soon because it was announced over the radio that the government is planning to lower the age limit to eighteen. As long as we have to go to war, the more of us that can fight, the sooner we will win victory."
Mary empathizes with a friend whose predicament she identifies with her own.
"A week ago last Friday it was Mrs. Finlayson's turn to entertain the club. She phoned that she would have to postpone doing it until the following week and later said she couldn't do it at all because her health was too poor. I sympathize with her. She has to do the housework and never feels able to. And yet she is quite fat, about like I am, and looks quite well."
It seems that Mary equates being fat with looking fit and well.

Dates

1941-1942

Conditions Governing Access

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