Laura Ingalls Wilder

Dolores Hans
MSMU class of 2025

(2/2025) There are historical figures that are renowned by the world, our country, and the textbooks. There’s our history and those who impacted it, and then there is my history. My history, my life, has been impacted by many figures, whether similarly honored by the greater society, or less notable than most textbooks but still well-known. From a young age, I was most heavily impacted by books I read and the show I watched that taught me about family, hard work, and how a simple life can be the most rewarding if it is filled with love. How a little house in a small community can hold a value far greater than any luxury you can name, because of the family that lives within it.

On February 7th, 1867, Laura Ingalls Wilder was born. She lived a life centered on family and she shared that devotion with those who read her stories. She began writing down her childhood memories into stories at the request of her daughter, stories that were published and more than a century later were eventually read by a young Dolores. These stories inspired the creation of a television show, Little House on the Prairie, which is still one of my favorite shows. And so, as her birthday approaches, I write her a birthday letter.

Dear Laura Ingalls Wilder,

Happy 158th birthday! It is an honor to be writing to you. I wish there was a way to explain to you that not only am I, a twenty-two year old woman, writing to you, but so is a 10 year old who just discovered your books, and a 16 year old teenager who watches the show based on your life every night. On this day, I hope to share with others the significance of your life, and thank you kindly for having the courage to share your story. As a twenty-first century woman, I will never know what it is like to ride in a covered wagon across the country, or walk a mile from my farm to sell eggs to the mercantile for about ten cents. But through your stories, you gave us a window into the life of a pioneer, capturing the beauty of the simple life of those times with such vivid detail and heartfelt emotion. Your books have inspired generations, and just as my mom introduced me to you, I will introduce you to my daughters.

You taught us about resilience, the power of family, and the simple joys of everyday life. Through the ups and downs of your family's journey across the country, we learned that even in the hardest times, there is always hope, courage, and love. You showed us the good qualities of your own parents through your characters. Charles with his relentless optimism, hard work, and love of his wife and children, and Caroline, with her quiet strength, memorable teachings, and authentic femininity. These characters provided me with role models, and helped me envision the mother I want to be and the marriage I want to build.

You expressed the role of your sister, Mary, as beautiful and intelligent, a do-good girl with maturity. When I was in high school I related to her when my own younger sister became a thorn in my side and yet my favorite person. No matter how I could relate myself to the women in your stories, deep down I will always be comforted by the character you created to represent yourself. Laura, a self-assured, wild, tomboy-ish girl who just wanted to do right by others.

I always loved the warmth of the home you created in your books, the home you allowed me to be a part of. Though it was unremarkable in features and structure, it never felt cold, even if a blizzard blew through the cracks of the wooden walls. To me, there was always a fire and blankets to keep the warmth from escaping the pages of the story I felt welcomed into.

Even beyond the pages of your books, your own life was just as warm and important. You moved all around the midwest, no doubt facing numerous challenges. What I find astounding is that even though where you resided changed often, the goodness of your family made every single house a home. Every cold winter was faced with a warm hug, every long and rocky road was overcome with the stability of your family’s courage, and every struggle was surmounted on the ideal of hope.

With every word you write I am whisked away from my loud and busy life and I land at the edge of a creek with cold rushing water that’s surrounded by dainty white flowers and tall green grass that reaches up toward the sky as if it is stretching after a long slumber. My dress blows in the spring breeze and life is as simple as it should be for a little girl.

Thank you for the childhood you created for me in your books. Thank you for deciding to write, even later in life. As someone who has many passions and is unsure where my life will lead, your example shows me that it’s never too late to start something new. Thank you for giving me role models and a way to envision my life. Simple and full, adventurous and stable, and grand in a little way.

As I, and all your readers celebrate you on your birthday, we thank you for showing us that the adventure of life is about much more than the places we go—it’s about the love we share, the memories we make, and the way we learn to appreciate each moment, no matter how small.

Happy Birthday, Laura! I’ll meet you on the bank of the creek.