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 30 01/04/1953 The Happiest New Year
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
January 4th, 1953 — Joyce is back in Denver after the holidays, surrounded by dorm chatter, souvenirs, and lingering memories of Christmas and New Year’s Eve with Earl. She’s unpacked her “stuff and junk,” pinned her mementos into her scrapbook — most of them marked with Earl’s name — and taken comfort in the small routines of college life.
Her tone is warm and sleepy, full of quiet gratitude and gentle teasing. She mentions dorm gossip — Winnie’s “engagement ring” is really just an old ruby, and the girls are still showing off their Christmas presents. She jokes about a mysterious wet object in a drawer (a mystery left forever unsolved) and plans for the February hockey games.
But the heart of the letter is love — reflective and sincere. Joyce thanks Earl for making her holidays “the happiest of my life,” cherishing both the gifts he gave her and the memories they shared. As she readies for bed, her words settle into soft devotion — the simple bliss of having someone to love who makes “all the unpleasant circumstances bearable.”
Topics Include:
- Returning to Denver after Christmas break
- Dorm gossip and friendships
- Winnie’s not-so-engagement ring
- Christmas gifts and scrapbook memories
- A mysterious “wet drawer” moment
- Upcoming hockey games in February
- Gratitude for holiday joy and love
- Reflection on the happiest New Year’s Eve
- Everyday comfort in long-distance love
January 4th, 53. My darling, here I am, another Sunday night and another Monday coming up. My stuff and junk are all put away. My hair is up and my souvenirs posted in the scrapbook. It seems Earl Hoag has his name on most everything in there. I must like him from the looks of things. Winnie isn't engaged. The ring is a ruby
She's had for some time. The kids all got lovely gifts for Christmas and we've had quite a time oohing and eyeing over all the trinkets and toys. Winnie, the lucky stiff, has a new orange red coat. It is lovely.
My sister's picture is missing. I have hopes of finding it around. If not, I'll be very upset. The little darling kicked me this evening and it's 10 days, so not much could have happened anyway. Guess what I found wet when I took it out of the drawer. Not real wet, just dripping a little from the tubing. Could it be wet for three weeks inside the drawer or has someone
This is going to be a great mystery. There's an underline and just a blank and a question. I've never noticed it's being wet for long when this is going to be some sex thing. I've had it out. well. OK, I don't think we're going to know whatever this ever was. The next home hockey game is February 6th and 7th. Maybe we can go the 7th. Marilyn has moved back home for this quarter.
Connie is still with us though, she doesn't want to be. Marilyn was in the bedroom for four, so we have more room now. You will feel cheated my love if this is very short. Will you feel cheated my love if this is very short? You see there's not much news that you don't already know and I want to write a few more letters before taking a bath, the medicine and give going to bed.
You know, I love and adore my sweetheart and having you to cherish makes all the unpleasant circumstances bearable. And the times we're together seem like heaven. Thank you, my pet, for making this Christmas and New Year's Eve the happiest holidays of my life. Thanks for all the gifts and letters while I was home. Honestly, sweetheart, this New Year's Eve was the happiest day of my life.
and God willing may we have many more of them. Good night, my darling. All my love, always, Joyce.
