I'm Not Whipped Yet

June 28, 1962

Fairbanks, Alaska

 

Dearest Lois & kids:

Rec’d your letter today and thought I’d better answer it.  Things haven’t been going too good for me right at present.  Jobs are mighty scarce right now.  Have tried just about every place in town and still have several guys trying to help me out too.  So, keep your fingers crossed and don’t give up I’m not whipped yet.

Sure glad to hear Tiki’s feeling a little better sure hate to have anything happen to her now that she’s full grown.

I worked today and think things are going to start picking up now.  It’s about time.  Tonight, I’m going to Anchorage with Dick Curington (he’s manager of the airport here) to help him pack and load his furniture and stuff to bring to Fairbanks.  He asked me to go and help.  He’s sure a swell guy.  But you’d like the people up here because it’s so easy to get acquainted.  

...to be continued...

Note: It amazes me how Dad stayed so positive. His words clearly convey the struggle he had with not being able to find a steady job. They also convey how lonely he was without his family and how badly he wanted them (us) there with him. You can feel how in love with Alaska he was already. He was determined to make it there.

Dreams of the Last Frontier

A few days ago, I was asked if it felt weird to read my Dad’s letters. It took me aback, but it was a good question. My answer was (and is) no. I don’t feel like a voyeur or that I’m peeping into personal thoughts and feelings that I shouldn’t see or share.

Dad was a quiet man, a good man who never hesitated to show his love for his family. To us it was as apparent as the beard on his face and the twinkle in his eye (and, yes, as he got older and whiter, many, many children asked him if he was Santa Clause). He loved us unconditionally. He also loved Alaska unconditionally. And he was proud to say it out loud.

His letters say it out loud. From them, you can feel the struggle he went through to find a decent job, while desperately missing his family. His struggle to get us up there with him, to provide a home and a secure financial future. He did manage most of those things, except for the financial part. He eventually got a good job in the Civil Service, but we always lived one paycheck away from financial disaster. And, although—spoiler alert—he never got his log cabin, he absolutely loved living at the base of Pioneer Peak (the beautiful mountain across the road from our house). I remember him going out in the mornings, cloudy, sunny, rain or snow, and looking up at the mountain, taking in deep lungsful of the sweet, clean air.

His dreams about Alaska and what she would provide were as big as the land itself, but she never really came through in that way. The way she did provide was in letting him be content in a place he loved with his family in a warm, sometimes leaky, but safe home. Luckily for him (and us) Mom came to love Alaska as much as he did, and so we grew up in a happy, loving home. One with its own set of unique trials and tribulations, but in the wild land he loved so much. In that way Alaska gave him everything. Dad followed his dreams to the last frontier and gave us everything.

Love and Kisses

June 22, 1962

Fairbanks, Alaska

 Dear Billy and Carla:

Just a short note to let you know how much daddy misses you and sister.  Thanks a million for your paper from Bible School it was real good.  You’ll have to be a little more careful about staying inside the lines tho.

Am real proud of the way you have been helping Mommy with everything.  Hope you and sister like what I sent you and tell sister daddy wants her to be a good girl too.

Your Loving Daddy

P.S. Give sister a big hug and a kiss for me.  Will you please.

Love and Kisses

Daddy

P.S. Also give Mommy a great big one too.  Thank you. Daddy

*Note: Dad was such a big, sweet teddy bear and it sounds like I was being a little shit, which is not surprising. Sorry Mom and Dad, but I am your daughter and I can still be one!! :-P