Christmas on Memory Creek

See more Andi’s Journal Entries ➡️

I know! I know! It’s not Christmas, but when a guest blogger wants to write an Andi’s Journal entry, will I wait until Christmas to post it? Absolutely not! I’m sure y’all want to read about Andi and Riley and Christmas any time of the year, so here you go! Thanks, Luca!

Andi’s Journal, December 17, 1898

There have been a few surprises this Christmas season, both good and bad. First, Mother fell and sprained her ankle last week. Mitch and Libby announced that they were having their first baby, and now Lilly has been feeling unwell. And with Christmas in a week, I haven’t got anything done!

Lilly started complaining this morning about feeling sick too. “What’s wrong?” I asked, when I went to wake her up this morning. Her siblings were already awake.

“My stomach hurts. And I’m really hot.” Suddenly, she turned pale and was sick all over the bedclothes.

I hurriedly ran to find a bucket for her, but it was too late. I’ll spare you, journal, the details of me cleaning it up and changing the sheets.

While I did this Lilly began to cry. “Mama, I don’t feel good.”

I sat down beside her, and she put her head in my lap, I whispered soothing words to her as I gently stroked her hair. As I did, I felt her forehead. It was very warm. “It’s okay, baby girl. I’m here.”

Eventually, Lilly she fell asleep. I slowly slipped her head back onto the bed and hurried into the kitchen. I looked at the clock. It was a quarter to twelve.

Oh no! Riley and the other children would be in for lunch at twelve! I would have to hurry! I quickly threw together something for the midday meal. Just as I finished, Jared and Lottie ran in from outside. “Is it time for lunch, Mama?” Jared asked, “I’m starving!”

“Me too!” Lottie put in.

“Yes it is. How was your ride?”

“Great! We raced and I won!” Lottie said excitedly.

“That’s nice. Can one of you please go tell your father that it is lunchtime?”

“I will, Mama!” Lottie said quickly and ran out the door.

I turned to Jared. “It was nice of you to let her win.” I told him.

“I didn’t.” His face was serious. “She really and truly beat me. Ask one of the ranch hands. They saw.”

“Oh,” I said, shocked, Eight-year-old Lottie had beat her older brother. I knew Jared would never allow his little sister to beat him in front of anyone, even the hands, on purpose.

Just then Lottie returned with Riley. We all sat down at the table. “Where’s Lily?” Riley asked.

“She’s sick. I need you to go fetch Doc Weaver after we eat.” I said.

“I can go now. What’s wrong with her?”

“You can eat first. I’m not sure but,” I paused. “I think it’s influenza.”

Riley’s face paled.

So Riley went to town for the doctor. Doc Weaver said Lily did have influenza and that we were now under quarantine.

December 19, 1898

I haven’t written in here for a couple days, journal, I just didn’t have the time. Lilly has been so sick, and this morning Jared passed out on the floor. When I felt his forehead, it was hot to the touch. Lottie was crying. Riley had already left to work out on the range. Jared was totally out cold. When I shook him, he wouldn’t even make a sound. I tried to lift him, but he is big and strong for an eleven-year-old boy, and I wasn’t able to move him. “Lottie, please help me!”

Together, we were able to get Jared into his room and on the bed. “Dear,” I said to Lottie. “Can you get me a cold cloth?” She jumped to obey.

Jared began to moan, and he slowly started to wake up. “Mama? My throat and my head hurts, and why am I so hot?”

“You have a fever.” Just then Lottie returned with a wet washcloth. I thanked her and placed it on Jared’s forehead. “Here.” He instantly relaxed.

Suddenly, I heard Lilly start to cry. “Lottie, please sit with Jared, I need to check on your sister.” Lottie agreed and I hurried to Lily in the twins’ room.

Lilly was tossing in her bed, crying out and holding her stomach. She was sick over the side of the bed. I went over to her and held her. She was so hot. The nightgown she was wearing was soaked in sweat. I carefully changed her clothes, and then her sheets. Then I laid her down in bed, and she fell asleep.

December 23 1898

Lilly is better! It was rough for a while, but she made it through and is almost completely recovered. Thank God!

But Jared, on the other hand, is not doing as well. He is really sick. His fever hasn’t let up and he has a terrible headache and cough. He is still in and out of consciousness. I don’t have much time to write right now.

Lord, please let my son get well by Christmas! Please! Amen.

December 24, 1898

Jared’s been having trouble breathing. His cough is really bad. His fever broke last night and he seems to be feeling better today. It’s just his chest. Lottie has been sitting with him a lot to keep him company. Mostly she talks and he listens.

Mother has invited the whole family to Christmas dinner, and of course we can’t go. We’re still under quarantine. I got some gifts for the children, but it won’t be the same. I’m racking my brain to come up with something special I can do for Christmas.

December 25 1898

Merry Christmas, journal! It actually ended up being a great day after all! There weren’t any big presents or a fancy dinner or anything. It was just us. I managed to get and make some small gifts for the children, a little doll and a pretty sky-blue hair ribbon for Lilly, a book and a red ribbon for Lottie, and for Jared a new Stetson and a bandanna.

It was a calm but lovely day. Riley gifted me with a beautiful necklace. I’m pretty sure it’s made of diamond. “How did you afford this?” I asked him.

“I can’t take all the credit. Your family and I all pitched in to buy you something special, since you have been working so hard looking after the children. I hope you like it.”

“I love it! Thank you!” I said, “Lilly, help me put it on, please.”

So Christmas was a success after all. It reminds me of this Bible verse.

And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:15