This postcard, postmarked from Swannanoa December 20, 1932, was written by Roy Bird (1916-2009) to Mr. W. E. Bird in Cullowhee and shows a decorated Christmas tree in a living room and is part of the William E. Bird Collection. On the back of the postcard is written “Dear Uncle Ernest, Don’t worry if I am not there the 21, for I might stay with Grandpa B. first. Mother said it might be a good idea for me to visit there first, but I will come. I sure thank you for the money. yours truly, Roy B.” William Ernest Bird (1890-1975) was born in the Qualla community of Jackson County, NC. Bird served Western Carolina University in various capacities during his long career. Bird’s roles at WCU included head of the English Department, Dean of Men, Acting President, and President. In 1963, he published The History of Western Carolina College: The Progress of an Idea. He was married to Myrtle Wells (1891-1983).
—Southern Appalachian Digital Collection
A Western Union telegram from Samuel Robert Owens to Mrs. Steven J. Owens (Frances Elvira Alexander Owens) wishing the family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Samuel Robert Owens (1918-1995) was stationed at Cavite Naval Yard in the Philippines when the United States entered World War II. He was a member of the crew of the submarine tender USS Canopus (AS-9), which was actively involved in the defense of the Bataan peninsula until the fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942. The majority of the crew of USS Canopus, including Owens, were captured by the Japanese at Corregidor, and became prisoners of war. Owens remained a POW until the end of the war and received the Silver Star and Bronze Star for his service.
—Southern Appalachian Digital Collection
Each year we are blessed to receive many beautiful Christmas cards. Granny always hung the cards she got when I was a girl around the edge of windows and door frames or sometimes even on the wall.
When I first started working in the president’s office at the college each Christmas we would tape the cards we received up on the copy room door. Sometimes we had to go around the frame too.
I’ve continued that tradition of displaying cards. On years I didn’t get very many I stood them around my buffet in the kitchen and in the window behind it.
For the last few years we’ve been so blessed we tape them up all around the kitchen table. I love reading the heartwarming Christmas wishes and seeing all the Christmas scenes and graphics.
Miss Cindy gave me her Grandmother Dollie’s scrapbook. It has many old Christmas postcards in it. I love reading the old handwrite that is barely legible since many well wishes were written in pencil. I also love the simplicity of the addresses—often just a name and a community.
On the first postcard at the top of this post I love the sentiment behind the words: “Dear Uncle Ernest, Don’t worry if I am not there the 21, for I might stay with Grandpa B. first. Mother said it might be a good idea for me to visit there first, but I will come. I sure thank you for the money. yours truly, Roy B.” William Ernest Bird ”
I can just sense the anticipation of Uncle Ernest expecting Roy B. for Christmas and the excitement Roy B. has for the visit is evident in the words “but I will come.” Then there’s the obvious generosity of Uncle Ernest giving Roy B. money which he needed I’m sure.
The second image shown of the telegram really pulls at my heartstrings. Sam R. Owens knew loved ones back home would be a worrying about him. Because of the nature of telegrams the message he sent needed to be short and to the point, but really all they needed to hear to make their Christmas wonderful was: “Am okay don’t worry.” I’m sure the addition of Christmas wishes was just icing on the cake for those who loved him.
Tipper
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What a beautiful post Miss Tipper. I also enjoyed both the post card and the telegram. The clips from “Dorie”. Miss Bush has written a lovely book and I can’t wait to read all of it. Seems time runs short to get to read at all. Taking care of our daughter since her stroke limits our time for pleasure activities. Like reading. I want to wish all of your BP&A family a Merry Christmas and the Happiest New Year ever. And the same to the Pressly, Wilson, Corie, Austin and Woody, Katie and Ira too. God bless you all today, tomorrow and always. Love from Jennifer
I got a Christmas Card from my local Subaru dealer today! First one of the year! Probably the last.
Do you have a PO Box for sending Christmas cards to? I have a special card to send to you with what I think is a recipe I found on Pinterest from ‘Granny’.
I have a postcard that my Daddy wrote to my Mother when he was in the Army. It’s a treasure to me. It was written in pencil and hard to see but I treasure it anyway. I wonder if there’s a way to bring out the clarity of old pencil writing? I sure would like to do that and give a copy of it to my 2 brothers and 2 sisters. “Christmas will be here before we know it.” That’s the way I’m feeling now. I’ve got a lot to do and a short time to do it in. I hope you get your greenery gathered in and the house decorated with it. I gathered in 2 little bunches of it a while back but noticed that it’s drying out now. I need to get outside and gather some more.
Isn’t Christmas wonderful! I love it. No matter what goes undone it’s still Christmas and the meaning still remains, it’s all about Jesus, the Greatest Gift ever given to humankind. I’m not stressing out over things undone as much as I used to do. I still care and I still want to get it all done but I’m not stressing out over it. I’m enjoying the cd Shepherd of my Soul that I won. Many thanks for all you do for us. You are loved and appreciated. Merry Christmas.
I love reading old postcards. We have a couple postcards that my husbands family sent during WW2. We also have some ration books from the war. Thank you for sharing!
I love looking at anything old. I have old stuff on my back wall. From old tools to an old popcorn sack. I guess back then they received popcorn in an old sacks. I hope each and everyone of your family has a Blessed Christmas .
The telegram brought tears. I have several of those that my dad sent my mom during the years between Pearl Harbor and his discharge in February of 1946. Of course, those who served faced death…but this morning my heart aches thinking of the families waiting at home for a few-and-far-between letter, post card, or telegram. Many knew only in which theater of war their loved one was serving. (The term “theater of war” seems bitterly ironic to me. There was drama, but no one got to take off their “costume” and go home. The weapons were real and brought injury and death. ) Please don’t read this as pacifist. I’m proud to be American and proud of the patriots who have fought, bled, and died for this country – starting back when we were a collection of English colonies. May God bless this nation and use us to bless others!
I was born during the first year of our involvement in WW11. My Dad and his four brothers as well as some brothers-in-law served. I remember Grandma letting me get the mail while she sat on the front porch. I remember once coming up the hill telling her one letter was for her. When she sked how I knew since I couldn’t read I showed her the thin paper and colored stripes around the edges. Most military mail then was that type. When my mother passed away my sisters went through her cedar chest and found a letter Dad had sent to her before they married. We all have copies of it.
I loved the western union telegram. Precious memories of family long ago!
At my house, Christmas cards are displayed on a wreath, attached with colored clothes pins, inside my front door.
Tipper did you receive a package from me?
Everyone have a blessed day!
Brenda-I did 🙂 Thank you! I sent you a thank you card hopefully it will arrive soon.
Sadly, the tradition of sending Christmas cards is slowly dying. The tradition is going strong at my house as folks I talk to daily still get a card from me. I stumbled across a card I had sealed and addressed to my in-laws about twenty years ago but didn’t send it for some reason. It was addressed to their name with ‘General Delivery’ as the address in their little town in eastern KY. The town was that small! If the card made it to the county post office, the carrier knew where to deliver it.
The story of the soldier messaging his family, reminded me of when my oldest brother was serving in the Vietnam war. Each day my family waited by the mailbox in search of a letter from him so we would know he was ok. There were times we waited for months not hearing from him. When we received a letter around Christmas my mom cried out of relief her first born was okay. My mom lined our doorways with Christmas cards and to this day I do the same. Love sweet traditions that continue on by each generation.
I enjoy old mail too, my mom had letters from my granddad while he was stationed at Pearl Harbor (it was after the bombing and fortunately he was sent there to help with the clean up of the island rather than off to fight somewhere–though he was safe from bullets he did pick up malaria and every spring he had a recurring bout with it for the remainder of his life) In one letter prior to being at Pearl Harbor he wrote grandma one letter that said ‘I think while I am out this way I will visit your sister Pearl’ and with those words grandma knew he was being sent to Pearl Harbor–remember that mail was censored and they blacked out anything they did not want the soldiers passing along to anyone…..as you may recall my mom is gone now and I would love to have my grandfathers letters to read once more but I do not know where they are–the brother who was in charge of her stuff is estranged from the rest of us but my guess is that he threw them and many other old memorabilia away because all he really cares about is money so if he could not sell it he trashed it (cold hard facts many families have with some of the relatives, not everyone is sentimental loving and caring such as you and your family)…post cards from many years ago are also at the top of my list to see (my mom had some unique ones). I have a letter my paternal grandfather wrote to one of his sons and his family just prior to the election of President Kennedy (I know that because he referred to things he was doing to encourage people to vote for him). Papa was born in the late 1800’s so in that election year he was in his 70’s. That letter is a treasure to me, it is only one sheet of paper and only the front side but in my heart it is worth a million dollars. Hope granny is not feeling poorly, praying for her to remain pain free–I selfishly hope that she feels well enough for her and Paul to sing a Christmas song and post it–also hoping the girls will do some Christmas singing. Today is a dark gloomy day, actually looks like snow but I do not think it is cold enough-but certainly not far from prime snow temps.
When my grandmother passed, my KC cousin saved the letters and cards written over the years to my mother’s mom saved over the years. I don’t think she ever threw any away. I have received two mailings. The last one had many Christmas cards from the 1940’s and 50’s and letters written to Grandma from her relatives. I especially enjoy the beautiful cards and feel like I am learning more about my family through these writings. Many of the cards had Christmas letters with the cards. Like Grandma I am saving these cherished cards and letters.
I love looking at old post cards and Christmas cards. When we go to flea markets I’ll spend time looking through the boxes that some vendors have for sale. I especially like the post cards that show scenes from long ago from the area where I live.
I too hang the Christmas cards I receive around the door frame between the dining room and living room. As the years have gone by the number of cards coming by mail has decreased. As people pass on and the younger generation sending “e-cards” there are fewer cards to put around the door way. But I still hang them anyway and enjoy looking at them through the holidays.
I too enjoy looking at old cards, letters etc. It gives you a glimpse into history. After seeing the date on the telegram I agree, I believe the words “I’m ok” is really all his family needed to hear.
Thoroughly enjoyed your blog and the responses. I have a small bag of letters that my dad wrote when he was in WWII. They are a treasure! I don’t get the number of Christmas cards I used to get. I don’t send out cards anymore. Postage is too expensive… Merry Christmas!!! ❣️☃️
I’ve taken to collecting old post cards. I have several now from Antique shops or ebay. I make sure to read the message and always buy the ones with funny, interesting or heartbreaking news. I have framed quite a few and put them out for the season. Valentine’s Day and Thanksgiving are especially interesting due to the messages. Always worth a read if you come across one.
Tipper, when my mother-in-law passed in 2016, one of the things that became ours was a photograph album just full of old greeting cards from various occasions. It looks as if the book had belonged to her grandmother – my husband’s maternal great grandmother who lived in Humboldt County California. She and her husband built a ranch there- the Circle E, for Erwin. The cards are mostly the small, vintage variety that are similar to the Valentine cards that school kids exchange, though far more artistic and beautiful. And the handwriting just adds to the beauty.
We used to get more cards than we have for the past few years, since retirement and leaving a 4000 member church to attend a Quaker meeting with an average of 15 in attendance. This year, I cut up many of the cards I have saved over the years to make decorations for the Christmas tree.
I’m sitting in Scotland! Land of my Appalachian ancestors and my modern day cousin. I’m spending a month here celebrating the Christmas season and New Year. Yesterday I went shopping for Christmas cards—beautiful ones with Highland “coos” (cows), purple thistle, tartan clad bagpipers, and heather covered hillsides. The Christmas spirit is as evident here as at home but nestled between stone homes and buildings dating back centuries. I feel so privileged to be spending this time of year here. I will miss my grands, but modern technology will allow me to see and talk to them. I send sincerest holiday greetings to you and all your lovely family members.
Thank you for the post card. Very beautiful. Would love to see the other side of the card. Merry Christmas, you all.
Tipper. I also enjoy looking at old postcards, letters and pictures. It’s fun even if I don’t know anything about the people or locations of pictures from times past. I made your Christmas Crack Candy yesterday. Yummy and so easy. Merry Christmas to all your family.
I have a small booklet of postcard like pictures my Uncle Arthur sent to my mother while he was in WWII. She was his baby sister. I can only image the relief the family had when they received the telegram telling them their family member was alright. I worry so much about my three boys as I call them when I read of wrecks or other things that could be them on the news and the relief I feel when they will text me and let me know they are ok. My mother in law would tape the Christmas cards she received each year to her den door frame. I don’t get a lot of cards but am bad to keep the ones I do get and like to reread them throughout the year, I got one yesterday from someone I became friends with at work that I will be sure to keep.
We put cards around the door frame to. During the inventory when I was Mom’s executor we found a deep drawer nearly full of cards for all kinds of occasions. So like Mom to have kept them all. They exemplified how she thought and lived, always people first and last. She had a serving nature.