Musings of  a Senior Scribe
Open Letter to a Granddaughter
By Mona Lease

Hi, all!! Consider the following letter.

My Dearest Granddaughter: You are 14 years old today. A long time ago, age and birthdays would have been a big affair. 13 was the age when a girl started wearing nylons instead of the bobby socks. Long before the age of 13 - a girl started planning her life - husband or college? - children? - pets? - home? - car?

Her girlfriends would pay attention to her choices - favorite color, china patterns, laces, silver service, and the like. They would talk at sleep overs and practice stuff like walking with correct posture - put a book on your head (hard cover) and walk. Keep the book balanced and it stays on your head. Try it - it's not as easy as it looks or sounds.
     
Somewhere around age 14 or 15, the girl got her Hope Chest. Some of these looked more like a Steamer Trunk (made like the army foot locker). They were made to travel with brass reinforced corners.
     
The girl would put things in the chest for her future. She might put a favorite doll in it to give to her daughter. She might make a special quilt or comforter for her new bed when she got married. Along the way, she collected special dishes (maybe a favored Aunt's favorite teacup), cookware and the like.
     
On needles and pins, the girl would anticipate the Birthday Party. Would this be the year she got her Hope Chest or would she have to wait another year? 
     
When a girl turned 16, she got her strand of pearls. They might be from Grandma. These are rites of passage that are mostly unobserved now. 
   
I give you this Hope Chest today. Maybe this tradition will be revived. Maybe it will start with you. However you word it - the Hope Chest was, and in some cases still is, a place to store your hopes and dreams for your future. It helps you sort what you need to leave behind as you start your walk to womanhood. Some things are hard to leave behind and others are easy. 
     
I put a few things in the chest to get you started. I know you'll do finely. The thing to remember is that we are all different. What you like, I may not like. It's your life. Know your strengths.- go with them. Fly high, little one. All my love. Grandma.

Remember the kiddies and our service people. Take good care of the furry and feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next time. Ever Toodles!!

MONA