2270 South Vine
Come with me as I meet my Mother through this series of letters, she died when I was 6 months old and this is my very first real glimpse into her world, who she was, who she wanted to be and how she loved my Father.
A collection of 36 letters hand written by my Mother Joyce at University of Denver and sent to my Father Earl at University of Colorado Boulder when they were first engaged in 1952. The letters span from September 1952 - January 1953. My Mother died from Breast Cancer in 1971 at the age of 40. The original language of the letters is read intact to maintain the integrity of the authenticity of her words, 1952 is a very different time culturally and economically.
2270 South Vine
Letter 25 12/08/1952 Pencil Notes and Nervous Glances
December 8th, 1952 — Joyce writes from her Education and Sociology class, balancing her notebook on her lap while Dr. Shiri looms nearby, close enough to notice she’s writing. She sketches the seating chart in her letter, amused and cautious — everyone around her seems to read over her shoulder. She’s wearing her new skirt and belt, feeling “very grad looking,” and musing about how unpredictable Shiri’s tests are — too general in class, too specific on exams.
She apologizes for the short, penciled note, but even this hurried letter feels rich with her humor and detail: a ridiculous class comment about “solving” the southern race problem by “moving everyone north,” her Christmas card list of 31 names, and plans to buy her friend a delicate demi-tasse cup as a gift. Between notes about grades, oral exams, and her trip to Boulder to see Earl, Joyce’s warmth cuts through the academic chatter.
By the end, she’s eating cake and apples for breakfast — a small comfort amid the finals rush — and promises to tell Earl what Piernaut said in her next letter. It’s another glimpse into her everyday world: exams, errands, and the steady rhythm of missing the man she loves.
Topics Include:
- Writing secretly in class with Dr. Shiri watching
- Education/Sociology test worries
- Dramatic Activities oral exam
- Planning a Christmas card list and gifts
- Classmate’s shocking racist remark
- Hopes for final grades in each subject
- Meeting with Piernaut and loan discussion
- Planning a trip to Boulder
- Eating cake and apples for breakfast
- Apologizing for messy, hurried handwriting
December 8th, 52, in pencil on notebook paper. My darling, as usual, I'm in Ed Soche and someone is giving a report. His voice sounds more alive than the others. Dr. Shiri is practically sitting on top of me and keeps noticing that I'm writing. Row number one, she's got a little.
Crossmark and she says that that's Shirley. Row number two, she's got a little cross mark and then another cross mark and then her. So three people in one in row two and she's on one end and Shiri is in front of her on the other. I can't turn this notebook so I write better because then he'd be able to read what I'm saying. That's all I need. Of course everybody behind and around me always reads over my shoulder anyway.
I'm wearing my new skirt and belt today and everyone thinks they're very grad looking. Grad looking, the clothes that is. very good looking, comma, the clothes that is.
This test in Ed Soche, which we have Thursday, is the one that worries me most. His classes are so general and his tests so specific. Come to think of it, dramatic activities may be a beast this morning too, but that will be over when you get this. I'm the least worried about genetics, needless to say.
I just hope Pierre Naux is in his office at 10 o'clock. I can hear it all now. He'll do everything but...
Twist my arm to get me to take a loan. He'll do everything but twist my arm to get me to take a loan. I've been trying to make my Xmas card list. So far I have 31. I think I'd better get my girlfriend a gift from here and take it home with me. She has a Demi Toss cup collection. So I think I'll get one for her and hope it doesn't break.
Dr. Shiri keeps turning and looking at me. He's making me very nervous. Before I go any further, my dear, I want to apologize for not writing any longer a letter, but I'd hate myself if I didn't write a little something to my darling and excuse the pencil and hurried handwriting. Some lady here in class just suggested
in order to get rid of the southern... good Lord. Some lady here in class just suggested in order to get rid of the southern Negro problem, man, 1952 was a special kind of hell, to get rid of the south. Sorry, I just blew the mic out on that one. It seems she means to move them all north. What an idiot. Just may accidentally get an...
A in sociology. Shiri was well pleased with our value report. And if I can just do well on the test, I might end up with a pretty nice grade. I'll get B at least in comp and there isn't much chance for an A. Dramatic activities is my main grade worry for I'm certainly not the most creative nor the most dramatic person I've seen.
We are now arguing whether we have to do what the government says. Isn't this timely? It's two minutes till 10 o'clock and I'm going to walk out in a few seconds. I'm sure looking forward to going to Boulder in the morning, especially to see you. I just came from dramatic activities. It was a 10 minute oral exam and quite easy.
but I've no idea how much nor how little it counts towards a final grade. I should get a B though. I just came from Piernau's office, but I'll tell you Tuesday what he said. Your cake and Laura's apples are my breakfast today, which I am eating now, but it sure tastes good. Some other boy called over the weekend about a ride home,
the kids can't remember where they put his name and address. That's sweet. Today, I'm going to call Burlington and check on the reservations. I'll be annoyed if they haven't heard yet. Sweetheart, I offer my apologies again for the size of this letter and the messy writing and the pencil. I'll say goodbye now and I love you very much and miss you very much. My love and thoughts are with you all the time.
All my love, always, Joyce.
