Category Archives: Children

Young Love (#34)

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Chicago teachers, tired of overcrowded classrooms and not enough pay, contemplated a strike on May 22 – first one ever. With 19,000 teachers involved, I had no idea what the ramifications would be, but knew I couldn’t cross a picket line to teach (which is what I felt like doing). I also knew I wouldn’t be paid for any strike days… a big loss, since I had moving and marriage on my mind.

on-strikeMay 20, 1969 – Dear Nate. The teachers in Chicago can’t seem to settle on a contract. They’re not even close. We’re scheduled to go on strike this Thursday if there’s no eleventh-hour settlement. I have bad news about teaching in your area in the fall, too. My applications won’t be considered without state certifi- cation credentials accompanying my request for a job. Apparently there’s no such thing as a provisional certificate down there, like there has been here. But I’m not going to let it get me down.

May 20, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Next up on my finals is Administrative Law, Wednesday at 1:00, for 4 hours. Wish me luck. Studying for finals goes well except when I am pleasantly distracted with thoughts of the beautiful soul and body of Meg, my betrothed. I love her so much and console myself that in one short busy week, I will be in her arms again. I love you.

May 21, 1969 – Dear Nate. I’m going to keep working on getting my transcripts together and getting evaluated at the Board of Ed. My friend says I’ll have to take the state Constitution test, too. There seem to be so many snags! Well, one step at a time. The joy of being married to you wipes out all the negatives.

May 21, 1969 – Dearest Meg. A quick note on an exam day….  I love you! The teaching deal will work out. Just keep sending in your records. We can try some small towns around here if the university school districts give us a complete turn-down. Thank you for your call late last night. You voice gave me the strength to keep studying until late.

May 21, 1960 – Dear Nate. I about jumped out of my chair with excitement when I read the letter that started with, “To my future wife.” The Lord is letting us be so lucky! I do love Him. (Not just for that, of course.) Talking with you on the telephone tonight was as close to being together as we can get, and it was very meaningful, even after we hung up. Even then, you are closer in conversation and thought. I love you!

just-dottyMay 21, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I think of you constantly, miss you terribly, and, frankly, love you insanely. After spending time with you, I almost worship the ground you walk on. When you are home with me each evening, I know I’ll study law more eagerly. In fact, I expect my successes to abound in all fields when I am comforted by you as my wife. You are such a fabulous asset: a wholesome, creative, beautiful, Christian woman. I love you!

May 21, 1969 – Dear Nate. Remember the youth pastor you met at the picnic last weekend? I saw him at church tonight and he commented again how “sharp” he thought you were. He asked if we were “serious.” I smiled with lights in my eyes and said, “Just about.” I want to bring all this on gradually to people, mostly to give my parents time to absorb it before everyone else knows.

May 22, 1969 – Dearest Meg, my Future Wife. I spent the morning writing notes for the Constitutional Law final; it’s going fine. The exam yesterday was fair and comprehensive. I’m sure I did reasonably well. Let me know about the strike. Don’t worry. The Lord is helping us. I thank Him every day for His guidance. When I think of the married life we will lead because of Him, I become so excited I can’t think of anything else for quite a while.

“Where two… are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Young Love (#15)

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As February moved into March, the letters increased and often passed each other as they traveled south and north. Sometimes two would arrive on the same day. Nate’s longing to have a reciprocated love relationship was evident, but I couldn’t bring myself to commit. My church friend was saying some lovely things to me, too – “I really enjoy being with you and would love to spend more time together.”

From the journal:

I’m a little shaken when I think about the insecurity of my romantic situation. There is still (my church friend) who I’m not dismissing as a possibility for a deeper relationship in the future. Then there is the gung-ho Nate Nyman who is sure he wants to marry me. I think I’m growing to love him back, but the thought of marriage scares me silly!

Feb. 25, 1969 – Dear Nate. It’s 10:00 PM, and I’ve just returned from a shopping spree to have dinner at long last. And boy oh boy, does it taste good… a liver sausage sandwich with lettuce, hot tea, and jello for dessert (and about 6 peanut butter cookies thrown in on the sly).

liver-sausage

Feb. 26, 1969 – Dear Nate. Since January when I moved into the apartment, I’ve gained 5 pounds. I feel fat. I need to concentrate and lose those pounds. I’ve always had an inferiority complex about my weight, especially about the chubby cheeks that dominate my face. My roommate was a huge help to me tonight as we talked about it. When I moved in here, I found a true friend.

Feb. 28, 1969 – Dear Meg. I think of you when I try to read law. I remember your softness and gentleness, and the good warm feeling I get holding you. I want to set that weekend dinner with my parents soon. I need to be with you.

gung-ho-nateFeb. 28, 1969 – Dear Nate. It’s very important to me that my family and friends get more familiar with you. I haven’t decided if that’s an immature characteristic or not. If you think it isn’t, let me know. If you think it’s immature, don’t tell me. (Just joshing.) Please counsel me and guide me in all such matters, as you feel led. If we ever got married, you’d have to counsel me endlessly – not a very bright prospect for you.

Mar. 1, 1969 – Dear Meg. I’m going to wear that fabulous knit tie to church on Sunday. Thank you again! Campus is a stick of dynamite. I fully expect fires, sniping, and the National Guard. Again last night I prayed for us. I love you, Meg.

Mar. 1, 1969 – Dear Nate. You’ll never realize how much I value your letters, including the time you put into writing and mailing them. My large kindergarten class has to perform in an all-school assembly, and guess who has been pressed into playing the piano? We’ve been spending lots of time in the assembly hall practicing. But they’re all adorable, no matter how they perform.

textbooksMar. 2, 1969 – Dear Meg. My law courses this semester are: Evidence, Corporations, Administrative Law, Commercial Law, and Constitutional Law. But it can all be very boring. I love you.

Mar. 3, 1969 – Dear Meg. You have studiously avoided saying “I love you” to me. I know you want to be absolutely sure before you say it. Take your time, please. I never want to pressure you. Those three words are the indication I wait for. If it’s God’s will that those words come from your lips, then things will firm up in a practical way. If I have to wait a year to know your feelings, it’s OK with me. But I’d like to have you down here next year as a wife. I pray for us daily. I love you.

“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.” (Isaiah 58:11)

Obituary of Mary Peterson

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obit-picMary Ellen (Johnson) Peterson, much loved wife of Bervin C. Peterson, was welcomed home to Jesus’ arms on September 24, 2016, at the age of 72. She was a woman of faith who loved the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Mary was born on December 8, 1943, to the late Carl and Evelyn (nee James) Johnson of Chicago and was raised in Wilmette, IL. She attended New Trier High School, followed by North Park College and Swedish Covenant School of Nursing (BSN, RN) where she worked as a head nurse before retiring to raise a family.

She considered herself privileged to be a stay-at-home mom in Northbrook where she embraced the art of homemaking and filled her home with love throughout 49 years of marriage. She and Bervin welcomed Luke (Emily), Julia (Drew), Karl, Andrew (Kimberly), Johanna (Drew), Stina (Evan), and Marta.

The constant thread running through Mary’s life was the Moody Church in Chicago, where she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior in Sunday school as a nine-year-old. Later she served as a teacher in that Sunday school, a youth sponsor alongside her husband, the nursery committee chairwoman, a deaconess, and a mentor of young mothers in the Mom to Mom ministry. She also worked in the By the Hand Club for Kids, tutoring children in need, served with the Caris Crisis Pregnancy Center, and was in the leadership of Community Bible Study in Arlington Heights for 25 years.

Mary was a champion at hospitality, frequently hosting family gatherings, bridal and baby showers, prayer groups, Bible studies, and any other get-togethers looking for a place to meet. She was active with her children and grandchildren until the week before she died, welcoming the cleanup that inevitably followed time with these young children. She was always up for games, puzzles, or trips to the family’s home in Bethany Beach, Michigan, to play at the beach. Mary was never without a hug or word of encouragement for others – or maybe just gum and candy for those children and grandchildren she loved so much, who loved her right back.

Mary lived by the credo that tending to the needs of others was more important than tending to herself, and she did so every day. She is survived by her husband, her 7 children, 11 grandchildren with a 12th due in 2017, her sister Margaret (the late Nate Nyman), brother Tom Johnson (Leslie Jones) and many dear cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Wednesday, September 28, for visitation at 10:00 and the funeral service at 11:00, at Moody Church (1630 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614). Interment will be at Rosehill Cemetery (5800 North Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60660)

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to Moody Church or Community Bible Study (790 Stout Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80921).