Carolyn's Diary: Wednesday, October 16, 1963

About Carolyn's Diary

My mother kept diaries from January 6 1962 until the morning she died in October 1998. Her diaries were written for practical purposes, and provide a chronicle of the events of her days. Few feelings are expressed, if any, and you have to read between the lines to discern her emotions. She would often refer back to her diaries to confirm that the roof was replaced on this date, the taxes were paid on that date, the weather was sunny and warm or snowy and windy.

My mother stopped working when I was born in 1959, and my father was a US Navy diver. My mother's first diary was presented to her on January 6, 1962, when her parents arrived from Iowa for an extended stay as my dad prepared to leave the country with the Navy. My grandmother kept a daily diary until her death also, and I guess she encouraged my mother to do the same.

My mother seems unsure of what to write initially, but gradually gets into the rhythm of writing each day. It is simply a record of the day-to-day life of an average American housewife.