Last month, Lanette described her first meeting with Ruthaleen Dukater, a local resident who is blind. This week, Lanette visits Ruthaleen again as well as the Colton family.
Chapter Four
October 18, 1934
Dear Maisie,
Yesterday, I visited Ruthaleen again. I did not have any braille books to bring along as there are none kept in our small library in Miracle nor has there been time to inquire anyone about acquiring some. I have not brought up the possibility to Ruthaleen mostly because I do not want to disappoint her. Yet, I do not know if she would be interested in trying braille anyway. I am unsure how to approach the subject. For now, I’m going to wait until there is some assurance of providing braille reading.
Instead of having a long conversation like last time, I helped her with some chores. For instance, I hauled water from the well to her house. While I grew up without running water and there is none in Miracle, I have grown rather used to plumbing at college. I must say, Maisie, this way of living is so different from what I have known. I’m starting to think some of these people see me as someone from the moon. They don’t believe a word when I tell them about electric light.
By helping Ruthaleen, and occasionally Mrs. Lancing, I’ve come to realize how much these people have to work to support themselves. I wondered how Ruthaleen could possibly do everything for herself until I learned she has a neighbor that visits her once a week to make sure she has what she needs. Such as plenty of firewood, yarn for knitting, enough meat to last her a while, etc. Believe me, I feel better knowing that she has someone to check on her. Otherwise, I honestly feared for her. It can’t be easy living up here by yourself miles from anywhere let alone if you are blind. I’m curious what you think of all this, Maisie. Maybe you would like to come out here and see it for yourself. If you ever consider it, I suggest coming in the spring. The snow will not be a big threat then. I’m just waiting for the day it will fall.
After I left Ruthaleen, I met up with Mrs. Colton and her three daughters. They live four miles from Mrs. Dukater. The last time I visited them they were hesitant to take a book, but I persuaded them to try Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne. I was so excited to hear if they had enjoyed the story or not. Let’s say I wasn’t entirely disappointed when they only talked about the illustrations with me. I was still happy to learn the children liked the pictures of Pooh and his friends. However, from my conversation with Mrs. Colton and her daughters I quickly concluded that the children don’t know how to read and neither does their mother. Trust me when I say I am discouraged. I just really hope the other families I visit won’t tell me the same thing. I can’t believe that, though, because the people of this community requested that the Pack Horse Library bring books to them. So I’m going to continue to do so. Besides, I think this opportunity is wonderful for them.
Perhaps I should not have devoted an extra hour to reading Winnie the Pooh to the Colton children, but I felt they would really like to know the true content of the story. You should have seen their faces when I read those words aloud to them. They couldn’t believe that the letters I saw on the page could form sentences. Their eyes were so full of wonder and excitement. I was bursting with happiness when they laughed or asked what was going to happen next. I love to see their enthusiasm. I just wish that they had the ability to read the story on their own. I suppose the school in Miracle is just too far for them to walk and they are probably needed to help around the house. Perhaps Mrs. Colton would be willing to allow me to teach the kids a few things about the alphabet. Do you think I would be interfering if I did so?
Meeting these people up here in the mountains makes me realize there is so much I want to do for them, Maisie. If only I were a certified teacher now! I know, I’ve had my heart set on teaching in a large public school, but…these children need the education just as much as the children in Lexington do. The children around here would probably be more appreciative of an education. I’m going to think it over. Hopefully I can come to a solution.
Sincerely,
Lanette
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