Monday, December 26, 2011

Enjoy some wonderful memories from Grandma Sylvia 1965 Christmas

Christmas day! I was sitting at my computer and noticed a letter from Grandmother Meacham. She is Alexander Arthur Doak's daughter, Sylvia. I'm not sure how it got there but thought some of you Meachams especially may enjoy some memories. Sat. Jan. 2nd 1965




Dear Pearl and all-

I have been taking down our Christmas & putting it away & there is not so much left of the old year only the thank you notes.

I was surprised to get more paper and heading from you, as I have always use tablet paper & scribbled to you on that, & had thought I never would get any more, this is the last sheet left of a year ago.

Our Christmas was so calm we hardly knew we had Christmas, Gene started to open things about three a clock and by the time we usually gather around we had had it not even a card to read.

We had a 20 pound turkey dinner & still had almost a half side for gravy New year dinner & still have some.

All last week our T.V. was out & Mr. Balan from Culdesac made 7 trips over come to see the trouble then came back next nite with tube. Dec. 31st. David & Steven came got it & took the T.V. to town & got home by noon O.K.just more tubes. So then I phoned around for people to come to see the Parade & 2 ball games. Lois & Margaret Herndon were here. Davids, Garry & 2 little ones Darryll, Norma Jean. Some of Buds were here, came after dinner. Some of the children were here for dinner. They had a N year Party the nite before the kids with there sleds, played until 2 a clock N Year a.m. before they got started home. They couldn't watch T.V. Much for coasting, snow packed down & best they had ever seen it.

We are enjoying the winter, the hi. water every place was awful for so many.

I got my V. blinds up just 2 days before Christmas. I will hold these old ones for a while. There are 4 that are 32 inches, these have two ways of hanging, but I wondered if the length, wouldn't be too short for you. Thee windows, the window man took 2 for hauling away but the blind man wouldn't take them away for them. We do like our porch so much, door open most of the time. They won't fit any of my other windows.

I hope to get a letter off to Mike. I am glad he is where he is not in some of those war zones.

Garry didn't get home until last Tuesday. Got as far as Portland on his way home for Christmas, spent the nite with a friend. If he had of come on home would have gotten stranded, so spent Christmas with this friend also.

Uncle Geo. Phoned out yesterday to hear about our roads & weather. (Sun Shine) so he was here too. It seems a shame to have company & sit around in the dark, blinds all down watching T.V. I put on the dinner, had roast beef & plenty for all.

We all thought you had such a nice Christmas letter. I heard Dad remark about it 2 or 3 times. Greg as well as Dad & I will always remember 1964 the year we went to Texas.

I saw in something the other day that part of Texas one doesn't see any thing only ground & sky. It was Nov. of Ford Time. I wondered if you got it at the garage. Was going to put it in your Christmas then thought you probably got it, having all Fords.

Gene has to take a little calf to the sale to-day. It's mother died. They don't know why.

Sunday before Christmas I was out clean8ing off the snow around a little, & Kent came from the barn & helped, cleaned off all the walks of 10 – 12 inches. Then the winds & rain, real rain, & not a bit of snow was to be seen. & Thursday A.M. We had 6 to 8 inches again & beautiful again. Christmas day sun came up so beautiful. I got several snow pictures & walked over to Buds & took & saw there tree and new drapes & white walls. We had snow off and on since. We all love it that way. Hi water was awful. I wondered if you got any. No news. Thanks for the stationary.

Love all, Grandma

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Pearl Meacham Celebrates 90th Birthday with Her Large Posterity








The church ground around the corner from her son Doug Meacham was the gathering place for so many of Pearl's posterity who came from as far away as Mt. Vernon, Washington. There were babies there that she had never seen before and so many little ones that it was truly a joyous occasion for her. It was a beautiful fall day so most of the activities were held outside.  The children enjoyed playing in the leaves and the boys and men played football and frisbee. Doug brought his great barbeque equipment and there was an abundance of food being it was potluck. Chris, Doug and Trudy Meacham's son delighted everyone with the surprise use of his pony, Lucky. The granddaughters enjoyed working on a quilt set up by Doug and Trudy.  The children doned costumes to present a quite unrehearsed play written about Pearl's great grandfather the 4th president and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The play took place at his 90th birthday and featured the song "How Can I Thank Thee" sung by Isabella Favero and "Well Done Thou Good and Faithful Servant" sung by Payton Kemp both great grandchildren.  Many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren took part and though it was quite unrehearsed  it presented a reminder to us all of the wonderful miracles witnessed by our ancestors and to her posterity. The faith she has given us is a priceless treasure next to life itself.   It was a full afternoon with precious memories.