A blessed Christmas to all my dear readers! As part of Historical Writers Forum's holiday blog hop, I have decided to share an excerpt from Luminous: The Story of a Radium Girl. Happy reading!
Christmas Eve 1937
On Christmas Eve, the Donohue
family gathered around Catherine’s wrought iron bed with a little radio on the
bedside table.
“We are going to listen to the
President!” Tommy told his sister, always happy to impart his greater knowledge
for the benefit of little Mary Jane. She simply grinned and nodded in response.
“It’s mighty fine to be able to
hear Mr Roosevelt all the way from Washington DC,” Catherine said, sounding
wistful as she imagined how many miles separated them from the event they were
about to listen to and how many other Americans joined them.
Blankets hung over the room’s
windows to keep out the cold, and a fire burned cheerily in the hearth. Tom was
careful to ensure that Catherine did not catch a chill. Each holding a cup of
hot tea, they waited for the program to begin. When the static of the channel changed
to the sound of an adjusting microphone, the family exchanged happy grins.
Their smiles remained in place
as the announcer thanked Hobby Lobby, the popular radio show, for forgoing its
regularly scheduled broadcast so that listeners could enjoy the lighting of the
Christmas tree in Washington DC. Catherine closed her eyes to envision the
scene in her head. Tom was prepared to light their little tree at the same time
the chimes rang out in the capital city.
First came a prayer, shared by
the entire nation, and the children folded their hands and bowed their heads as
the pastor read John 3:16. It gave Catherine such comfort to imagine her
savior’s coming on this holy night.
She couldn’t help a small frown
when the prayer included a supplication for the end of war. Surely, after the
war that had only ended nineteen years ago men were not so eager to take up
arms again. Catherine added her fervent prayer to that of the President that
the Japanese invasion of China and Spanish Civil War would be swiftly brought
to an end. The moment quickly passed, however, as the prayer ended and the
family crossed themselves in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy
Spirit.
The next speaker talked about
the peace of the first Christmas, and Catherine could feel that quiet peace
settle over the room and chase away her fears. For just a moment, her great
anxiety caused by pain, immobility, and medical bills faded away.
“Let us in America dedicate
ourselves to the preservation of the ideal of the first Christmas: peace on
earth.”
The words reverberated in
Catherine’s heart as the tinny voice traveled to them through hundreds of miles.
New hope swelled in her heart. She felt excitement build as President Roosevelt
was addressed by several speakers wishing him a merry Christmas. Enthusiastic
applause welcomed President Roosevelt, the bells indicating the lighting of the
tree rang out, and Tom switched on their own short string of lights. Then Roosevelt
spoke.
When he mentioned “man’s
inhumanity to man,” Catherine knew that he was referring to war, but she
thought of Radium Dial. How could they have stood by and watched the dial painters
poison themselves? The feeling of peace began to evaporate, and Catherine
wished she could physically grasp it and not let go.
“This night is a night of hope,
joy, and happiness,” the President continued, and Catherine’s tranquility was
restored. She hoped that he would not mention war again, though she knew that
not speaking of it would not make it go away any more than she could wish her
illness away.
Were there really “better things
to come,” as President Roosevelt promised? He shared a story that he had read
in the newspaper. Catherine found herself a bit disappointed, because she
didn’t want to listen to the President read another person’s message. She
wanted to hear his, but she listened closely, wondering how honored the
columnist must feel as the President’s voice sent his words across the nation.
“It is the habit of my friend
when he is troubled by doubt to reach for The Book,” the President read. Catherine
nodded her head slowly. It was wisdom applicable to the greatest man in their
nation and the poor, bed-ridden woman listening.
“He took the cup and gave it to
them all,” he continued, noting that not even Judas the Betrayer was left out.
Roosevelt finished his message
emphasizing man’s duty to show good will to all men, not just those we feel are
worthy of it. Catherine couldn’t help but hope that Mr Reed and the Radium Dial
executives were listening.
As the President recited from the
gospels, Catherine’s darker thoughts were swept away by the beautiful image of forgiveness
and love. She was greatly comforted by hearing the leader of the nation witness
his faith in their shared savior.
The President’s speech was
brief, and when a choir began singing Oh, Come Let Us Adore Him, the
Donohue family, in their own little living room, added their voices to the mix.
As they moved on to Silent Night, Mary Jane wriggled in next to her
mother with drooping, sleepy eyes. Catherine ignored the flash of fear that it
was not safe for her daughter to be so near. On this night, she would set her
worries aside and snuggle Mary Jane close.
By the time the benediction was
given, Catherine was also drowsy. She did not notice when Tom gently lifted
Mary Jane to carry her to her own bed as Hail to the Chief played for
the President’s departure.
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Read more of Catherine's story in Luminous: The Story of a Radium Girl, available in paperback, hardcover, audiobook, and Kindle formats.
