My Grandpa Clayton was married to Agnes Marietta Busath. They had 4 sons. She died in 1934, when my father, her second child, was 17. The two younger boys were just pre-teens. I had never seen or even heard of the letter above that my grandfather wrote to his mother on Mother's Day, 1934. My cousin Cheryl posted it to us on Facebook today. She has been acquiring material from her father Peter Gilbert, and this was included. My grandpa married twice after Agnes' death. His marriage to Helen Barlow Pratt, which produced Peter Gilbert and Jane, ended in divorce. He later married my Grandma Connie, the only grandma on that side that I ever knew.
Connie was wonderful, but I have always wondered about the grandma I never knew. My dad talked about her often, but he truly idolized her, so I didn't get lots of details that help you know a person. We do know, however, that she inspired devotion and loyalty in her children. And now it seems that my grandfather truly loved her also.
My grandpa was not without flaws - and some of them were significant. However, I am grateful that no one really talked about them until after his death. We loved him so much - he was somewhat "larger than life" actually - and I would hate to have not had those times and feelings for him. Reading this letter, I see that he was a man of many dimensions. He was not perfect, but it seems like he was trying.
I am transcribing the letter here in case it's hard to read, but I love seeing the actual handwriting. I also have a letter from Agnes to Peter from 1925. I will post it some time. It is revealing also - you see love that is struggling to overcome difficulties in their relationship.
Los Angeles Calif
May 12 - 1934
My Darling Mother.
Tonight mother I am thinking of you, and wishing I were a boy again at your knee. That you might kiss away my troubles as you then so often did. It's a sad mother's day in our home for our mother with her smile and tear will not be here with us to-morrow. It is hard to see the wisdom of our Heavenly Father in taking her from her children, but it must have been his will, and we are trying to say "Thy will be done."
I am thankful to my God that I am your son, and that your example of faith and courage in your great sorrow, has been a heritage passed on to me, I now realize what your sorrow was when Dad was taken from you, no one can realize it untill called upon to pass through it themselves.
I am thankful for your example of faith, constantly before me, a faith unwavering in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and from his teaching comes the only real comfort that we can find.
I want you to know dear mother that I love you and now appreciate more fully your noble life. My boys join in wishing you a very happy Mother's Day.
Your Baby Boy,
Pete xxx
