1950s: Josephine's wishes
Returning home from Willow Creek, Josephine finds herself in a strange mood she cannot seem to shake. She finds herself sitting in a chair staring inactively into empty air for long periods at the time, her thoughts spinning to the past, to her past, and to her now late sister.
There was a time, a long time ago, when Ida was the role model she compared herself to. She was beautiful, talented at things a woman was supposed to be talented at such as playing piano and needle work. More so she always behaved herself with grace. She was successfully married, a good mother and a supportive wife. In short she was, as far as Josephine could see, the perfect idea of what a woman should be. The impossible standard to live up to and her favourite sister.
And in spite of that, she couldn't bring herself to trust her with her own worries when they arrived, sticking it out and following Nash across the country not because she wanted to but because she was too proud to ask for help. What would have happened if Anna had not been so cynical, if she like Ida had waited patiently for Josephine to come around and tell her what was wrong? Josephine knows that without Anna they might never have seen the other side of their hardships, and even if they had it would have been much later. And so now they live here, across the country, far away from the family home she once knew. Far away from the graves of their loved once, and yet Josephine knows that this is where she'll stay. This is where her family is now, even if she can sometimes wish they were back home in Willow Creek.
Maybe that is what all this boils down to? Maybe she's just homesick? She tries to pull herself together and at least knit something for the grandchildren, but ends up frogging the knitting half way through. Even that she cannot concentrate on. And how long ago was it since she touched a needle? Or a violin? She sometimes miss her old violin, sold to save a house they ended up losing anyway.
To try to put herself out of her recent funk, she tries to invest her time and effort into her grandchildren and children as much as she can. But her children certainly aren't really making that easy for her, however. Thomas works far too long hours, so even if Josephine spends a lot of time at the house helping Betty out, she rarely has time to see her son. By the time he arrives home, she is already preparing dinner for Nash. But at least she has the children, who she loves dearly.
And for Betty, Josephine's many visits is a great help. It means she has time to take care of both toddlers and the house, and sometimes even time to take a jog with the dog.
Still, Josephine misses her children. Thomas because of his job, Hazel because she is keeping such a busy schedule with charity events, shopping and make-overs that it's hard to find any time to speak of, and Barbara is not only so far off in San Sequoia but she's also still living with a man who refuses to marry her. Not only does Josephine never get to see her but she barely gets to speaks to her either as Nash always overreacts and starts screaming about indecency whenever she's on the phone. If they talk it's during the day, when Nash is not at home, but even so Josephine cannot hide that she in essence agree with her husband. It puts a strain on the relationship that sometimes feel insurmountable.
Arthur isn't any better. Ever since he left for university barely he calls home at all. If it was bad at university, it's gotten worse since he started that job. Always busy, always working, she has not even been able to visit him in his new home and see that he is alright, which of course he cannot be, as he has no woman to take care of either him or the house.*
At least Grace leads a normal life, with a husband who might work odd hours, but not too many of them. In fact he's often around when Josephine comes over to spoil baby Kenneth rotten, but that also means that mother and daughter has few opportunities to speak on their own. But maybe that is what life is supposed to be, and Josephine is just asking too much of life and her children?
At least Grace is welcoming her help, especially as it's time for Kenneth to turn one. A first birthday party is a big deal, at least for the parents, and Josephine wants to help any way she can. As summer is coming on, the party is held both inside and out. David has cooked some fabulous gourmet dishes, and everyone has a great time.
Josephine is glad to have at least some of her children around (Barbara refused to come unless Douglas was invited, which David simply refused and Arthur had to work again). Josephine tries to focus on the ones that are there rather than the ones that are not, en enjoy seeing her children together again, not to mention seeing her grandchildren playing together.
Thomas, on his end, loves seeing his father behave like a child around his son, completely forgetting himself in the presence of his grandchild.
David is the one to help Kenneth blow out his candles, and the one who helps him take his first few steps.
Before heading off to work, he reads his son to bed while Grace cleans up the house after the party. He loves his job, but tonight he wishes he didn't have to go.
Over at Thomas and Betty's place, Betty is finding two toddlers - while taxing - much easier than an infant and a toddler. A lot of things she can now do with both children at once, and the two can also enjoy each other's company much more, even if they still play side by side rather than together. With summer here, the two can also be outside more, which is just nicer for everyone than being cooped up inside.
When Michael comes home from school, Betty usually allows the children an hour of TV. That way she can prepare dinner or hang the laundry and Michael can rest a bit before homework, which she tries to help him with as often as possible.
Susan, as the youngest often goes to bed even before Thomas comes home from work, and Betty longs for the day when that is no longer necessary. Perhaps with his next promotion, he can work more regular hours and not 12 hour shifts. Of that she can only hope. Soon though, it's time for summer holiday, and endless amount of time together. Thomas has already spoken about them taking the kids to Anna's for a few days, teaching Michael how to ride, perhaps see a competition or two, or go to the beach by the lake. Betty can hardly wait.
There was a time, a long time ago, when Ida was the role model she compared herself to. She was beautiful, talented at things a woman was supposed to be talented at such as playing piano and needle work. More so she always behaved herself with grace. She was successfully married, a good mother and a supportive wife. In short she was, as far as Josephine could see, the perfect idea of what a woman should be. The impossible standard to live up to and her favourite sister.
And in spite of that, she couldn't bring herself to trust her with her own worries when they arrived, sticking it out and following Nash across the country not because she wanted to but because she was too proud to ask for help. What would have happened if Anna had not been so cynical, if she like Ida had waited patiently for Josephine to come around and tell her what was wrong? Josephine knows that without Anna they might never have seen the other side of their hardships, and even if they had it would have been much later. And so now they live here, across the country, far away from the family home she once knew. Far away from the graves of their loved once, and yet Josephine knows that this is where she'll stay. This is where her family is now, even if she can sometimes wish they were back home in Willow Creek.
Maybe that is what all this boils down to? Maybe she's just homesick? She tries to pull herself together and at least knit something for the grandchildren, but ends up frogging the knitting half way through. Even that she cannot concentrate on. And how long ago was it since she touched a needle? Or a violin? She sometimes miss her old violin, sold to save a house they ended up losing anyway.
To try to put herself out of her recent funk, she tries to invest her time and effort into her grandchildren and children as much as she can. But her children certainly aren't really making that easy for her, however. Thomas works far too long hours, so even if Josephine spends a lot of time at the house helping Betty out, she rarely has time to see her son. By the time he arrives home, she is already preparing dinner for Nash. But at least she has the children, who she loves dearly.
And for Betty, Josephine's many visits is a great help. It means she has time to take care of both toddlers and the house, and sometimes even time to take a jog with the dog.
Still, Josephine misses her children. Thomas because of his job, Hazel because she is keeping such a busy schedule with charity events, shopping and make-overs that it's hard to find any time to speak of, and Barbara is not only so far off in San Sequoia but she's also still living with a man who refuses to marry her. Not only does Josephine never get to see her but she barely gets to speaks to her either as Nash always overreacts and starts screaming about indecency whenever she's on the phone. If they talk it's during the day, when Nash is not at home, but even so Josephine cannot hide that she in essence agree with her husband. It puts a strain on the relationship that sometimes feel insurmountable.
Arthur isn't any better. Ever since he left for university barely he calls home at all. If it was bad at university, it's gotten worse since he started that job. Always busy, always working, she has not even been able to visit him in his new home and see that he is alright, which of course he cannot be, as he has no woman to take care of either him or the house.*
At least Grace leads a normal life, with a husband who might work odd hours, but not too many of them. In fact he's often around when Josephine comes over to spoil baby Kenneth rotten, but that also means that mother and daughter has few opportunities to speak on their own. But maybe that is what life is supposed to be, and Josephine is just asking too much of life and her children?
At least Grace is welcoming her help, especially as it's time for Kenneth to turn one. A first birthday party is a big deal, at least for the parents, and Josephine wants to help any way she can. As summer is coming on, the party is held both inside and out. David has cooked some fabulous gourmet dishes, and everyone has a great time.
Josephine is glad to have at least some of her children around (Barbara refused to come unless Douglas was invited, which David simply refused and Arthur had to work again). Josephine tries to focus on the ones that are there rather than the ones that are not, en enjoy seeing her children together again, not to mention seeing her grandchildren playing together.
Thomas, on his end, loves seeing his father behave like a child around his son, completely forgetting himself in the presence of his grandchild.
David is the one to help Kenneth blow out his candles, and the one who helps him take his first few steps.
Before heading off to work, he reads his son to bed while Grace cleans up the house after the party. He loves his job, but tonight he wishes he didn't have to go.
Over at Thomas and Betty's place, Betty is finding two toddlers - while taxing - much easier than an infant and a toddler. A lot of things she can now do with both children at once, and the two can also enjoy each other's company much more, even if they still play side by side rather than together. With summer here, the two can also be outside more, which is just nicer for everyone than being cooped up inside.
When Michael comes home from school, Betty usually allows the children an hour of TV. That way she can prepare dinner or hang the laundry and Michael can rest a bit before homework, which she tries to help him with as often as possible.
Susan, as the youngest often goes to bed even before Thomas comes home from work, and Betty longs for the day when that is no longer necessary. Perhaps with his next promotion, he can work more regular hours and not 12 hour shifts. Of that she can only hope. Soon though, it's time for summer holiday, and endless amount of time together. Thomas has already spoken about them taking the kids to Anna's for a few days, teaching Michael how to ride, perhaps see a competition or two, or go to the beach by the lake. Betty can hardly wait.
* As this story has so far been free of any occult and otherworldly elements, I have chosen not to include a Strangerville story in the 'official' story, and Arthur's silence can then be put down to him working hard on secret government plane-stuff. But if you don't mind a few aliens in the story, feel free to read the version where Arthur saves Strangerville from the motherplant here.
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