Grandma Wessman's Letter Page 4

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I used to make spending money at age 11 by tending children for 10¢ an hour or 50¢ an evening. I’d do dishes, put them to bed and then read. By high school I made $1.00 – $1.50 an evening — even bought books at college my Freshman year. At age 14 one neighbor had me come to his grocery store on Saturday. He phoned his housewife clients and would write their grocery orders and prices on his order book — As he phoned the next customer I would add up the prices. We tried this three weeks. I made $1.50 but he decided it wasn’t worth it. I did not like it either as arithmetic was always hard for me. Math, algebra were hard. Geometry I loved it.

Sewing, geography, English, spelling, art were favorite subjects. I liked school always. East High I discovered a great love for physiology and gym or sports. The University of Utah was great. I didn’t really know how to study and soon learned I had to work at school to get good grades — I just slipped through high school without too much work. It would have been better if I’d had some direction in studying — I just did what I could.

The World War 2 changed my direction. I had wanted to get a degree and be a school teacher but the summer after my University freshman year a friend of mine named Winona Simonsen said, “Why don’t we look for a job at Ft. Douglas?” So we applied at the Finance Office. I went to work the next week for the U.S. Army Finance. I had not had office experience but I could type and had 1 year of shorthand. This was 1942 — after Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese. I was taught to run a check writing machine. After a week and a few mistakes they could see my mechanical ability wasn’t perfect so I went to the Mail Section which was just organized — We sorted and distributed mail all day. That lasted 8 months then I learned a computer and checked Commercial accounts where I stayed till I got married and quit to have a baby in 1945. Interesting though, I had a desire to go back to the University and I went two more quarters and loved it, but John and I decided on marriage and then money seemed more important than education — now 50 yrs later I’m sorry I did not pursue the education first — money is not the first, and most important. One needs all the education one can get before marriage. It is a matter of priorities. My father told me the “University of hard knocks” was very worthwhile (working) but I would now say formal training is a first requisite and experience helps but is secondary. Advice: a good foundation (learning – school) a balance in sports, study, social, spiritual things & material things

When World War II came along I was 17 years old. Dec. 7, 1941 — Japan bombed Pearl Harbor — I remembered thinking, “I’m still pretty young the war won’t affect me.” How naive I was. My boyfriends disappeared to serve their country — The University was mostly girls — no dances anymore — then soldiers came and they were from all parts of the country — so many differences in ideals, lifestyles, thinking. I went to a few USO dances and did not enjoy them — I dated some soldiers and heard of war or loneliness. The sheltered, consistent family lifestyle I knew was never to be again.