As schools are slowly returning from summer break, Theta parents are preparing goodbyes and collegians are packing for move-ins. In February 1901, Bettie Locke Hamilton and her oldest daughter, Edna, were in the same situation.
Leaving the family home in Greencastle, IN, for the first time, Edna was days away from her 22nd birthday and off to nursing school. Bettie, Edward (Edna’s father), and Eulalia (Edna’s sister) went with her to move her into a boarding house in Chicago, IL. Immediately upon their return home, they began writing letters to Edna with their assurances as she began a two-month trial period at Wesley Hospital (which later became a part of Northwestern University’s nursing program).
Bettie’s first letter—six double-sided pages of her tight handwriting—advises Edna:
- “I am anxious for you to have the training – keep up a good heart though and we will investigate our minds thoroughly before deciding.” Plus, “There is two months to consider in all its phases. In the meantime,
- “Do every-thing just as near perfect as you can – and learn every thing you can, for some two months stay in such peculiar surroundings will always benefit you in some most unseen ways. I know such has been my experience.”
- “If the work should become repulsive later (which I don’t for a moment think it will) you could make as an excuse you could not stand the confinement in warm weather.”
- “Keep the good will of every-one. If possible even venture a little with those you have an antipathy for, mabe [sic] they think you don’t like them – you know how we can feel such things.”
Edna was worried about how much Bettie was worrying about her. In the letter, Bettie repeatedly denies Edna’s concern. Between questions about Edna’s clothes, laundry, dining, studying, rooms, etc., Bettie assures:
- “I… will not hurt myself with the work; for I appreciate the need of saving myself now you are not here to fall back on”
- “Though I’d love to have you with me my dear daughter, still I…feel alright now about your being away, and after all we have said it would hurt you to come back very soon at least.”
- “Don’t think of me as crying and suffering, for really I am not. My great anxiety is for you to be contented and merry-hearted – which I believe you will be if you feel Mama is satisfied.”
The whole family reports on each other; Eulalia and Edward both divulge that Bettie is worried, though not as much as before. Likewise, Bettie tells Edna more than they say. Bettie writes that Eulalia “is looking so badly I fear she worries too much, then she misses you more than you’d believe. Papa does too—he don’t say any thing but looks like he had a sick spell.”
The cycles of the academic year take children from parents and turn both to longing and worrying for the other every fall, winter, and spring. This fall, we may find Bettie’s words to Edna resonating as the cycle begins again.
124 years ago, the turn was just beginning, and our eldest Theta sister concluded her letter:
“Your loving Mama – with many a loving kiss + prayer for your happiness Bettie L Hamilton”