Lucinda's Story

George and Mary were living in Westphalia, Kansas in the fall of 1908. A quiet little community far away from the problems of the world, and yet, current events were always a part of daily conversations in this sleepy little town.

George was a farmer, in a land of farmers, working hard to provide for his family. George and Mary had a young son and soon would welcome their second child. Mary was in her ninth month of pregnancy and very happy the weather had turned cooler. It had not been a difficult pregnancy so far, but the summer heat had been very uncomfortable with all the layers of clothing worn by women of that time. Now, as Thanksgiving approached, the nights were getting colder and winter would soon arrive.

The holiday was just a few days away and the ladies of the family were already cooking pies and cakes for the feast. Mary was delegated to small tasks, the ones where she could sit, for her part in the preparations. Not her ideal, she would rather cook than sit here and peal apples. But she knew if she protested her mother and sister would send her off to bed. She would have none of that.

Thanksgiving Day arrived and all the relatives had gathered, it was going to be a large, festive event with dinner following the church services. When Mary awoke that morning she was so tired she could not get out of bed. George insisted that she stay in bed and rest. She did not want to miss the services but she knew the Lord would forgive her this one time, the baby was coming soon.

Later in the day her sister Ann brought a large basket of food and stayed with Mary while George and his son Clinton went to the Thanksgiving dinner. Mary and Ann talked about the baby, trying to guess if it would be a boy or girl. Mary decided either would be fine as long as it was healthy and strong. They looked at all the gifts the ladies of the town had made for the new baby. It was all so exciting.

Suddenly Mary turned to Ann, "It's time, call Dr. Fisher. Tell him to hurry!"
To be continued . . .