is is the final page of a long round robin letter to Ced, from family and friends, gathered to celebrate Grandpa’s 58th birthday.
Daniel Beck Guion
Alfred Peabody Guion (Lad)
In line with my somewhat radical idea that it is the fellow who has successfully reached another milestone on life’s journey who should be grateful enough for the privilege to remember his family with a token or two, I passed out a few small trinkets which seemed appropriate for each personality, and then turned my attention to a peculiar looking package which had just been brought in tied with a battered clothesline, to which a large placard was attached reading as follows:
“Steeped in the traditional Guion sentimentality, a
group of your progeny and assorted admirers have
donated this gift for your smoking pleasure, or
any other dissipation that might appeal to you.”
Inside a large cigar box was a tiny little cigar, around which were wrapped bills in the amount of FIFTY dollars. For a moment I guess I was sort of knocked speechless.
After dinner dishes were washed, the family went out in the bright sunshine of the backyard to have a birthday snapshot taken to send to you, Ced, in due course. Cards with birthday greetings from Aunt Betty, Aunt Elsie (Grandpa’s sister), Jean (Mortensen, Dick’s girlfriend) and Dick, and a flashlight from Barbara (Plumb, Dan’s girlfriend) rounded out the day in a very pleasant manner.
The photos in your letter, Ced, certainly aroused quite a bit of comment. Dick and Dan as well as myself were especially interested to see the airplane view of Anchorage. Your tire trouble has a familiar ring. Just yesterday I had much the same experience myself and am now without a spare until Carl picks up a tire he expects to come in tomorrow which may serve the purpose. I am also going to see if I can’t get a Briggs filter to send to you as requested. There is also on its way to you a little birthday remembrance in addition to the Reader’s Digest, which I hope you will find interesting.
Attached you will find some round robins which you will perhaps appreciate all the more when I tell you most of the writers did not have to be urged, but in most cases, eagerly volunteered to add their bit when it was announced that you were to be the recipient.
About the only other incident I think of is that the man came to put our Stoker in condition yesterday, so with coal in the bin and the furnace ready for duty, the onset of winter can be faced with a fair amount of composure. Lad and Dan both go back tonight and probably will not be home for a week or so. Lad is now wearing his sergeant stripes and looks very well in his uniform. Both boys look very fit and Army life seems to be agreeing with them.
Have not heard from Grandma or the other Peabody’s lately so I assume no news is good news.
Write again soon and don’t forget to include further chapters on the plane rescue expedition.
DAD
Tomorrow, a letter from Barbara Plumb, Dan’s girlfriend, to Ced. On Thursday, another letter from Grandpa and on Friday, a short letter from Lad.
Judy Guion
"Greatest Generation" Life Lessons 