may

43. Dennis

In the summer of 1948, Margurita and Alphy were expecting their seventh child. Margurita was now thirty—one years old, and Alphy forty-one. Financially they were doing okay. The family’s income was secure from the profits of the dairy cattle, and the annual sale of the hand sleighs. In a few years, the family had acquired a lot. By now they had a comfortable home, and they had a hand pump for running water. Their homestead also consisted of a workshop (the forge and living quarters above it had been converted into a carpenter’s workshop), a barn for the cattle, a chicken coup, and an outhouse (there was still no indoor plumbing).

Margurita, with some help from the older children had assumed most of the duties for taking care of the cattle. They did practically all of the milking while Alphy occupied his time building hand sleighs and doing other carpenter work. Alphy still used the forge, but instead of building wagon wheels, he now used it for making metal runners for the sleighs.

Despite the financial security, Margurita had more anxiety around this pregnancy than she did with the previous ones. Perhaps she wasn’t prepared for yet another child this late in life, as it had been five years since she had delivered the youngest child. Margurita also had more physical symptoms with this pregnancy, feeling nauseated most of the day. She told Alphy she needed to see a doctor.

Margurita was seen by Dr. Shea, in Alberton. Dr. Shea assessed Margurita and assured her that everything was fine - the baby’s heartbeat was strong, and her blood pressure was okay.

When the time came for the baby’s arrival, Margurita gave birth to a son. He was born on September 30,1948 , at home with the help of Meme. Margurita and Alphy were relieved that the baby had arrived without any complications. Margurita expressed that she would like to name the baby, Nelson. Alphy agreed; he liked that

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