This week, I went through a box my Dad sent me years ago, filled with things from his parents after they died.  I hadn’t really inspected everything in that box (there were a lot of German books), I had just tucked it away, waiting until I had time to look at it.

Had I known what treasures I’d find there, I would have looked through it years ago.  I found a large manila envelope filled with old letters.  I will share with you one of those letters.  It was written by my mother’s mother, Ruby, to my father’s mother, Elsa on Wednesday, 18 August 1954.  Ruby lived in San Gabriel, CA.  She died 6 weeks after I was born in 1959, so I have no memories of her.  I grew up in central CA, on a fruit farm next to Grandma Elsa and I loved her all my life.  She lived to be 93.  We had a couple of fig trees on our farms.

Here is Ruby’s letter:

Dear Elsa–

I forgot to send the fig receipie.  I usually make the boiled raisens cake from the syrup left over from the candied figs–instead of the water & sugar I just use the syrup.

We are having wonderful cool weather.

Hope you are all well and everything is fine and dandy.

We had such a grand visit at your home–and still enjoying all the goodies you sent home with us–all that grape juice & such good butter–oh we are rich–

Best love to you all

Ruby

Enclosed was this recipe for Pickled Figs:

Pickled Figs

3 qts of figs
½ cup salt–boiling water to cover
soak 10 min   wash & drain

Boil
6 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 cup vinegar
2 sticks whole cinnamon
1 ½ tsp whole cloves–cook to syrup

Boil figs 10 min first day
“      ”  10 min 2nd day
“      ” 10 min 3rd day

Place whole figs in jars & pour syrup over them–place in cold water.  Boil 20 min uncovered, seal.
———-
Holding that letter and reading Ruby’s words just warmed my heart!  Both Grandmas in one place!  I wish I could have known Grandma Ruby!  I love how she spelled things and said it was a “grand” visit.  I love that she said “fine and dandy” and the expression “oh we are rich!”  It’s interesting how her voice can be heard in so few words.  Her voice!  A voice I never knew.  Until now, I only had one page written in Ruby’s hand.  Now I have two.

I also love how Grandma Elsa tore off the stamp to add it to her stamp collection!

Discoveries like this tell me how important it is to leave our voices, our words, behind.  Your voice is precious and unique, and those who come after you will want to hear it.  Your journal and your letters and emails will be a gift to your descendants.  Let them hear your voice!  Don’t leave them wanting!

This colorized photo of my Laemmlen and Smuin grandparents was taken on 26 June 1954 at my parents’ wedding, a few weeks before the fig recipe was sent.