From 8-year old Hilda’s diary:

Merry Christmas!

That is what I feel like saying to the whole world even Tante Esther and Uncle Felix but I am still too sleepy. I am writing this in bed. I stayed up very late last night, till half past nine. It was such a lovely party. Everyone loved everything that everyone else gave to each other. I passed out all the gifts and it was so exciting. The tree was lit with candles and we all sang Christmas carols and we saved dessert until all the presents were opened and so we had lots of cake and cookies and candy. Uncle Felix didn’t give me presents out of his pocket, he brought me a real big box of candy. And Tante Esther didn’t bring me stockings or anything I needed. She brought me a book called “Fairy Tales of All Nations.” I think someone must have told her what to buy but she did it to please me and that was sweet.

If you click on this link, you can see the 1910 edition of the book Tante Esther gave Hilda. If you click on the link on that page, it will take you to a page where you can see photos of each page in the book.

I am sad to say that this is the final entry in Hilda’s diary. I am grateful for this wonderful gift she left us — the story of her childhood and the world she lived in. Thank you for going on this journey with me and with her.

Over the next few days, we will learn about Hilda’s adult life.