Letter from my mother on the day I was born

September 27, 1975
Ellensburg, Wash.

Dear Mark

It has become a tradition in our family for mothers to write each child a special letter at their time of arrival into this world. You will find yourself coming into a family already developing special traditions of strawberry waffles on your birthday to home evening and family prayer. We are so proud to have you added to our family and know that Heavenly Father has sent you to us to teach and guide. You have a big brother Bob, age 10, who is so happy to for another boy in the family. Also three sisters are anxiously waiting to “mother” you – Karen is 7 and Julie is 5, and Elaine almost 22 months calls you new baby.

We arrived back in Ellensburg only three weeks before you arrived after spending a year in East Lansing Michigan. Your Dad just completed his requirements for the PhD at Michigan State University in Traffic & Safety Education. So your father is now Dr. Hales – a real accomplishment at his age with four children. But he’s such a harder worker and so dedicated, and especially to the Lord’s work.

Since coming back we hurriedly got peaches, pears, tomatoes can canned and corn frozen. Then I even had a few days to relax before you made your appearance.

The night before you were born I attended a R.S. opening social. About 3:00 a.m. I felt pains and soon knew you were on your way. After checking into the hospital at 5:15, you were born at 6:04 a.m. a speedy labor and delivery.

It was a beautiful Indian summer day for so late in September. Clear blue sky, gorgeous array of flowers blooming, even two robins searching for worms outside the window. Even notorious Ellensburg wind was absent.

Your father was present at your delivery which I greatly appreciated. His first though at your birth was “another missionary.” We do hope you will always be close to your Heavenly Father and continuous in his service.

Conditions in the world will require your constant vigilance. There is so much evil, but also so much beauty. Inflation and poor economic and political conditions plague the country.

So welcome to earth Mark and to our family. You have a fine heritage and name to live up to.

May life hold many hold many blessings and opportunities for you and may I always be your example guide is my prayer as –

Your mother