My Grandmother, Nolia Cooper Mayfield Thorpe was a writer of letters and poetry. She received and sent lots of mail, you may note that she includes her return address every year as she expected and got mail wherever she was. She insisted that her poetry was not poetry but doggerel. You decide, it is poetry? She composed these Christmas verses and had them printed on post cards. Family members saved these cards but I did not have all of them. Thanks to Ruth Dunn, who sent all but 1953, the set is nearly complete. In 1986, Ruth Dunn who was having an operation, wanted some family member to "love and appreciate them as I have or I will come back and haunt them". I do love and cherish them and wanted to share them with all who knew her and those who missed knowing a wonderful woman. She and Granddad were ages 74 and 75 when these cards started. Get your hankies out, the reality of old age and widowhood becomes quite clear.
Lots of Love 1951
Here are our holiday wishes,
Sure going to be on time!
And since "Ma" is a poet
We're writing our card in rhyme.
We're sending just plain postals.
But that is not so bad
When you stop to think that pennies
Were all the "dough" we had.
Merry Christmas. Happy New Year.
"Dad" and "Ma"
Brattleboro Road,
Hinsdale, N. H.
until Jan. 1, 1952
1952
HELLO!Again we go a-travelling,
To a state that is afar.
For we think we must spend holidays
Where some of our children are.So we'll be going--driving
To Ruth's in old L. A.
We hope in that fair sunny clime
From this cold to get away.But we're sending out to you
These words of love and cheer---
May you have a Merry Christmas
And a Prosperous New Year.MR. and MRS. R. E. THORPE
9731 Glasgow Place,
Los Angeles 45,
California
19541956
HELLO!'Tis time to send our greetings
And tell where we will be
When Santa finds our stockings
On a New Hampshire Christmas tree.
We'll board the noisy choo-choo
December the sixth--about four,
To visit old New England
And our oldest girl--and more.
Jennie and her four children
Will gather with us there,
But Charles will not be present,
His position needs his care.
For this we're surely sorry,
But there's no use to fuss,
If we could have OUR wishes
He'd be right there with us.
To you, our friends and dear ones,
We send our words of cheer,
God grant you a Merry Christmas
And a prosperous New Year!MR. AND MRS. R. E. THORPE
c/o Mrs. C. R. Greene,
Brattleboro Road,
Hinsdale, N. H.
until Jan. 1, 1955.
1955
HELLO!Again we take our pen in hand
And call upon the Muse
Who guides our thoughts and helps decide
What rhymings we must use.
To tell to friends and dear ones all,
Who live both far and near,
Where we will be, at Christmas time,
For we surely won't be here.
We think the Buick needs a rest.
She's been faithful unto us,
So, this time, we will leave her here
And ride a Greyhound bus.
We'll wend our way toward the south,
To Texas, to see Mary,
To California, we will go
In early February.
At home we'll be by May the first.
December the seventh, we'll go from here.
Sending best wishes to one and all.
Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year.Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Thorpe
Box 251
Colorado City, Texas
Greetings!
"Because Christ came," the preacher said this morning.
And somehow in our minds these words remain.
Because He came we send our Christmas greetings
Because He came sweet peace we hope to gain.
Toward the south, our way we'll soon be wending,
Though gone, we will remember all the same,
That if to all there come these Christmas blessings
Full-Well, we know 'twill be "Because Christ came".Happy New Year!
MR. & MRS. R. E. THORPE
2400 No. Kansas St.
El Paso, Texas
until Feb. 1, 1957
19571958
GREETINGSFrom our home so white and tiny
Out on Fourteenth Avenue.
Go our annual Christmas postcards
With our greetings old and new.
There will be a change this winter,
We are staying here at home.
From our Colorado corner
We've decided not to roam.
We'll be thinking of you often,
Friends and dear ones and all such,
And we pray that God will bless you,
Make you happy, cheer you much.
Hold your lives within His keeping.
Everyone, both far and near,
Make your Christmas very merry,
Followed by a glad New Year.THE THORPES
"DAD" and "MA"
110 fourteenth Ave.
Greeley, Colorado
GREETINGSAlmost time for Christmas cards
To be started on their way
Telling folks we'll not be roaming,
In our own home we will stay.
There are folks we'd like to visit,
Many folks both far and near.
But you know when comes the summer,
We'd be glad to see you here.
And now, at the Christmas season,
Many thoughts will go your way.
and we pray that God will bless you,
Keep you safe through every day.
Hold your lives within His keeping.
Everyone both far and near,
Make your Christmas very merry
Followed by a glad New Year.THE THORPES
"DAD" and "MA"
110 fourteenth Ave.
Greeley, Colorado
1959
HELLO!Here we are with holiday greetings!!
Just as we did in those other days
We're putting our wishes on a postcard.
Tried to rhyme them many ways.
Want you to know you're not forgotten,
So when comes this time of year,
We must freshen your remembrance
With a note of love and cheer.
Now the muse has gone and left us
All alone to work it out,
And result's not what we wanted
It's a mess, without a doubt.
So we simply send best wishes
For a "Merry Christmas" time,
And "A Very Happy New Year"
Finishes our little rhyme.THE THORPES
"DAD" and "MA"
110 fourteenth Ave.
Greeley, Colorado
1960Biography of Em and Nolia Thorpe
Remembering "Dad""There's a wideness in God's mercy,
Like the wideness of the sea,"
Said the poet. I, though saddened,
Feel the message is for me.
God's most wondrous love and mercy
Help me always on my way.
So I thank Him that I'm happy
Counting blessings every day.
Though the lonely hours are many,
I can always find the sun
Shining on my every effort--
On each vict'ry I have won.
So, as comes the Christmas season
With the thoughts of peace and love,
Turn our thoughts to One above
Who has given us our Christmas,
Filled our hearts so full of cheer!
May you have the grandest Christmas
And a wonderful New YearNolia C. Thorpe
915 Chestnut Street
Colorado City, Texas1961
HELLO!Another year I'm sending
Greetings, both far and near,
To those Dad and I remembered
Together, year by year.
I thought I wouldn't do it---
Perhaps folks would not care,
But some might be disappointed
If my postcard was not there.
Surely, surely, God has blessed me
And my thanks to Him I give,
For though sometimes I'm so lonely
He has shown me how to live.
So I'm sending out my wishes
To the dear ones far and near--
"May you have the grandest Christmas
And a wonderful New Year!"Nolia C. Thorpe
915 Chestnut Street
Colorado City, Texas1962
GREETINGS!Here I am once more,
As in years gone by.
I cannot write as I want
Though I try and try.
And I bring to you news
You may not want to hear---
That I'll not be sending cards,
Again next year.
The task has grown too big
for my old stubborn fingers,
And I must give it up,
Though my love for you still lingers.
four hundred and fifty cards, you see,
Make a pretty big task for just one me! So here are my best wishes
for many good New Years.
And many Merry Christmases
For each of you, my dears.
The best of all the wishes
That I can make for you---
May you keep Christ in Christmas
Whatever else you do.Nolia C. Thorpe
Camfield Hotel
Greeley, Colorado
1962
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