Edith Bolling Wilson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson
Title
Edith Bolling Wilson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson
Creator
Wilson, Edith Bolling Galt, 1872-1961
Identifier
WWP20885
Date
1915 October 17
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Sunday - 3:30 pm
Dearest little Girl
You will never know how I have wanted you these days or with what joy I look forward to your coming—But can’t you come before Saturday? Cary and I deserve some consideration and we both want you so—phone me if you can come a few days earlier—and of course you are coming to me—I should never get over it if you did anything else—and Lizzie is so crazy to see you—Bless your precious heart for letting me have her She has been the greatest comfort to me—and is so capable & interested. I told her not to come to day as I know she would like her Sunday off. But she will be back in the morning—and Munroe has been to say you told him to help me if he could—all of which shows what a precious thoughtful child you are—and I do so appreciate every thing you have said and done for me
Now my precious one—you must not feel nervous or unhappy because you think all your own people will not be as happy as I am about CTG—It is only because they don’t know him—and besides this very fact that they may not approve best shows your own independence & strength and is an opportunity to prove your own firmness
I know just what you mean by wanting to put your “foolish little head on my shoulder and cry it out”—for the doubts and fears are all familiar ground to me—but once cross the Rubicon and have the world know your proud choice and they will vanish like snow before the sun—
He will then have the right to shield and guard you—and he is so tenderly eager to do it—that you will rest in him—and the security such love brings—I have been so constantly “on demand” that I have not seen much of the dear thing—but we are just as devoted as ever and my admiration for him increases every day—Make our hearts light by telling us you will come early in the week—
I expect I will have to go to NY next week & begin to get things in line for The Event—and I am wondering if you are going to be with Polly or where you are going to stay—Mrs. House wants me to come about the middle of the week—say the 27—shop for 3 days & have the President join them on Friday or Saturday—But this is as yet undecided & don’t mention it—I confess newspaper naturally is getting on my nerves—But aside from this inevitable penalty it has all been so perfectly happy—I had all my family to “Tea” to meet his ‘Excellency” on Wed– & Thursday I had a dinner of 8. (WW, Col House—Cary & Dr. Ruffin—Hellen the Smiths & me) and we all wished for you! I know you have seen all the other things in the papers—So I wont repeat them—and I have done nothing but read letters & telegrams—and tomorrow must get to work to answer them—you will see Miss Hagner’s engagement in todays paper—She seems blissfully happy—Thank you, dear little girl—for saying you have given me all you thoughts—This touches me more than you know—and of course I won’t tell CTG for he would not understand—I have had sweet notes from Mrs. Flournoy—Pat—& Dooley—& I saw the latter a minute in NY—did Cary write you?
And also that sweet Mary Converse sent me the loveliest Edition of the Bible I ever saw with a dear note—
I was so overcome—by her thought—She says “Mac” is back & she feels he is failing every day—
WW is waiting for me while I write He came to lunch with me—& all morning we opened & sorted mail—If it stops raining we are going for a walk so I must stop—He sends you dear love—and says he hopes you can soon come to us—There is a question of several people wanting this house—and I am anxious to know if you want it anytime soon?
My love to Randolph & Mrs. Mosley & all this can carry to you—My own darling child—and remember where ever I am—or what ever happens I am —
Always your own
“Miss Ede”
Dearest little Girl
You will never know how I have wanted you these days or with what joy I look forward to your coming—But can’t you come before Saturday? Cary and I deserve some consideration and we both want you so—phone me if you can come a few days earlier—and of course you are coming to me—I should never get over it if you did anything else—and Lizzie is so crazy to see you—Bless your precious heart for letting me have her She has been the greatest comfort to me—and is so capable & interested. I told her not to come to day as I know she would like her Sunday off. But she will be back in the morning—and Munroe has been to say you told him to help me if he could—all of which shows what a precious thoughtful child you are—and I do so appreciate every thing you have said and done for me
Now my precious one—you must not feel nervous or unhappy because you think all your own people will not be as happy as I am about CTG—It is only because they don’t know him—and besides this very fact that they may not approve best shows your own independence & strength and is an opportunity to prove your own firmness
I know just what you mean by wanting to put your “foolish little head on my shoulder and cry it out”—for the doubts and fears are all familiar ground to me—but once cross the Rubicon and have the world know your proud choice and they will vanish like snow before the sun—
He will then have the right to shield and guard you—and he is so tenderly eager to do it—that you will rest in him—and the security such love brings—I have been so constantly “on demand” that I have not seen much of the dear thing—but we are just as devoted as ever and my admiration for him increases every day—Make our hearts light by telling us you will come early in the week—
I expect I will have to go to NY next week & begin to get things in line for The Event—and I am wondering if you are going to be with Polly or where you are going to stay—Mrs. House wants me to come about the middle of the week—say the 27—shop for 3 days & have the President join them on Friday or Saturday—But this is as yet undecided & don’t mention it—I confess newspaper naturally is getting on my nerves—But aside from this inevitable penalty it has all been so perfectly happy—I had all my family to “Tea” to meet his ‘Excellency” on Wed– & Thursday I had a dinner of 8. (WW, Col House—Cary & Dr. Ruffin—Hellen the Smiths & me) and we all wished for you! I know you have seen all the other things in the papers—So I wont repeat them—and I have done nothing but read letters & telegrams—and tomorrow must get to work to answer them—you will see Miss Hagner’s engagement in todays paper—She seems blissfully happy—Thank you, dear little girl—for saying you have given me all you thoughts—This touches me more than you know—and of course I won’t tell CTG for he would not understand—I have had sweet notes from Mrs. Flournoy—Pat—& Dooley—& I saw the latter a minute in NY—did Cary write you?
And also that sweet Mary Converse sent me the loveliest Edition of the Bible I ever saw with a dear note—
I was so overcome—by her thought—She says “Mac” is back & she feels he is failing every day—
WW is waiting for me while I write He came to lunch with me—& all morning we opened & sorted mail—If it stops raining we are going for a walk so I must stop—He sends you dear love—and says he hopes you can soon come to us—There is a question of several people wanting this house—and I am anxious to know if you want it anytime soon?
My love to Randolph & Mrs. Mosley & all this can carry to you—My own darling child—and remember where ever I am—or what ever happens I am —
Always your own
“Miss Ede”
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Alice Gertrude Gordon, 1892-1961
Files
Collection
Citation
Wilson, Edith Bolling Galt, 1872-1961, “Edith Bolling Wilson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson,” 1915 October 17, WWP20885, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.