May 21, 1982

My Dear Kirstie,
I am sorry I didn't get this written sooner.  Time moves much quicker.  By this time Sandy should be there.  I miss her so much already.  I hope she stays well and is happy.   Because I love her so much is the reason she is with you, Betsy and her dad.  As I told you on the phone, I am  married.  We were married May 4th in a Lutheran Church.  Only Sandy and Bob's best friend and his wife were with us.  It was a lovely service.  Our pictures are good.  As soon as I get the negatives I'll get some pictures made for all of you.  Bob has his left leg off and so he uses a wheel chair.  He will walk soon.  He will be 50 in July.  He is very kind to me.  He was married before for 6 years and divorced.  We both have gold wedding bands.  I had pretty flowers.
We will be coming in September to see you, Betsy and Sandy.  I am anxious to see you.  I really miss you.  I hope you have fun with Sandy.  Help her get well.  She has had a hard life.  I hope you are happy.  I am so sorry I had to get so sick a few years ago.  I am still your mom.  I miss you and really love you.  I have seen you once since March 1980.
My fee and legs are still a mess but I am learning to live with it more.  My hand is all better which is a miracle.
I go to church every Sunday.  Bob goes with me.  He has never gone to church since he was in high school, but he has faith.
I have to go to the store today and get groceries.  I hate all the Friday shoppers.  I have let the shelves get empty.
Bob has to move everything from his apartment into mine and we have too much to fit so we have to get rid of some more furniture.  I wish you could come for a visit this summer.  today it is raining and cool.  It is good weather for my legs.  We have to get a room air conditioner because there is non with the apartment.  Everything costs money.  They wnat $500 for air conditioner.
I haven't been to the mall except to get our wedding bands.  I wnet to the cemetary on Mother's day.  Bob's parents are buried with our relatives also.  Grandma and Grandpa put flowers on the grave.
How is my Gretchen?  I miss her too, but I can't have pets here.  I owe 15 letters which is really unusual for me.  I got behind with getting married again.  I am happy so that is what counts.  I only wish I could see you.  I bet you are really changing.  Do you have a boy friend?  How is school for you?  I hope you like school.  Do you have much homework.
I tripped and broke my left big toe and cut the bottom off 3 weeks ago.  It still hurts but it is healing.  It takes me longer to heal because of the blood circulation.
Well, I must close and get his in the mail.  Remember I love you, Kirstie and I am your mom.  Please write.  Take care of yourself.

All my love,
Mom

May 16, 1982

My Dearest Betsy,
I have been wanting to write you for the past two weeks but have been so busy.  I was so happy to talk to you last Sunday on Mother's Day.  Thank you so much for calling me.  Before I write more I want to tell you how very much you mean to me and how much I dearly love and adore you.  I do miss you but I am glad you are happy and busy.  I am so proud of you.  I can hardly wait until September.  What date have you set?  What is your theme and colors?  What can I do to help plan.  Remember planning in California?  I also want you to know I am the happiest woman in the world.  I have found happiness at long last and I love the life I live. I still have the "freak feet and legs" that hurt all the time, but there is more to life than pain.  I smile all the time and laugh.  I weigh 118-120# and feel good all over.  I just had to tell you.  I think of you so much and I will be there in September for sure.
The weather should be good.

Aunt Ida just had a four day trip to the World's Fair and got home Thursday.  She had a good time.  Sandy is fine and going to school.  She goes weekly to the psychologist.
I go to church every Sunday.  Two Sunday's ago I tripped on a 1/4" step raised concrete and tore my left big toe wide open on the bottom.  Blood went everywhere and I had to go to the emergency room for treatment.  I also broke the toe.

How are you feeling?  I hope better.  Did the stomach cramps go away?  How is the asthma doing?  Do you still have a boy friend?  Are you driving yet?  I go out mornings and evenings when possible because me feet and legs can't take the heat.  I shop early or late.  I am know as  "The Sun Down Kid"  It is 85 degrees here.  I had to buy a $500 air conditioner this past week.


Monday
I have been thinking of your installation.  I would like to present you with your gavel.  I have mine and Grandma used it when she was Worth Matron.  So I would like you to have mine if you want.  I would be honored if you would accept my gavel.  This special day of yours will be very special for me also.  Please give me all the details and the date for sure.  I will need a motel close by for a couple of days.  I am so anxious to come and see you.  I wish you could come visit me this summer.  I am saving my money for the September trip.  I hope the weather is really good.  It should be ideal.  It is a good time for your installation.
Please think about the gavel.   I could give you another one also if you didn't want the one I used.
It is hot here but pretty.  I even went to the cemetery last Sunday and saw the graves of all our relatives.  I miss my Grandpa Deakin.  He was a good man.  Do you still hear from Ulrich in Germany?
Tomorrow I plan to go to a Bible study at church.  I go out and eat my breakfast brunch when I get home.  I took Sandy to Dr. Adler today at 9:30.  Then I took her to school and then I came home and fixed breakfast.  Now I am at my doctors and have to wait so I hope I can finish this and get it mailed.
I am letting my hair grow long again.  It is already thick.


Wednesday

Well, time goes quickly and things change.  I talked with you last night and told you I got married.  I am happy.  I will have pictures made for you.  Bob is really nice.  He lived across the hall from me in this apartment building.  Now I will have to move across the hall.  My name is Mrs. Judith Thompson.  You can still send mail to the old address and name.
I have to send Sandy home to you all because she needs you.  I love her so much but I feel she needs more supervision and her sisters.  She will probably never forgive me.  I pray she does and knows I did it for her own good.  She is still very sick and takes lots of medicine.  Tell her I love her for me.  I have cried all morning today.  I miss you so much.

Bob will be 50 years old in July.  He is really nice.  He had his left leg taken off a year ago from bad circulation.  He uses a wheel chair but we go everywhere possible.  He truly loves me and I love him.  I never thought I would or could love again.  We have no money but that isn't everything plus we live in a tiny apartment.  I have so many things that won't even fit in his (our) place.  I have lots to keep me busy now.  I have to stay in the day because it gets too hot outside.  We did buy an air conditioner for the apartment and it helps except we should have another for our bedroom.
My new phone number is …
Address:  6818 Oakfield Drive #101
Judy Dibble sent this stationary 2 years ago and I am writing to you with it for the first time.

Bob was married at age 41 and divorced 2 years ago.  He is 6'4" tall.  He is losing his hair.  He is good to me, Betsy.  I need love and I love him.  I am happy.  I miss you so much.  I wish we could be closer.  Could you write me more?  I miss your letters.  I didn't tell anyone I was getting married.  We were married in Bob's church on May 4.  Bob's friend Steve and his wife and Sandy were there and the Pastor.  Steve bought beautiful flowers - corsage for Sandy and his wife and carnations for Steve and Bob.  I had a beautiful bouquet of white carnations and a lovely purple orchid.  We have gold wedding bands.  I hope you are happy for me.  I was so lonely.  Now, the time flies for us.  He is disabled  and handicapped also so we are poor and he and I are here together most of the time.
So you are going to the Mormon church.  So is Sandy.  I am glad.  I go every week.
I am so thrilled you want me to present you with your gavel (mine).  I'll have it made up with your name, etc.  Send me your Assembly # and etc because I'll put it on it also.  I am so excited.  You are fulfilling my dreams.  I have a daughter to be proud of.  You light up my life!!!
It just poured rain and now the sun is out.  I think we'll take Sandy out for salad bar supper tonight and then pack.  I have to yell her yet.  She is happy since she was doing things wrong.  She needs psychiatric help.  Please don't tell her ever that she is fat.  She thinks she is.  She looks better past two days.  She went to mutual last night and had a good time.  I hope she doesn't hate her own mother.  If I didn't love her, I wouldn't send her.  She says she hates her dad and Alison.  She said she would run away if I sent her to her dad.  I pray all works out.  I miss her already.  She just came home from school with loads of homework.
Well, I had better close and get cleaned up.  Bob is taking a nap.  I hope you stay happy and well.  I haven't been in the wheel chair for weeks.  I rest my legs on footstools or the bed.  I have lots of energy and I eat good.  You can be proud of me.  Remember I love you dearly.  Let me help you plan your installation, theme, colors, etc.  I love lavender and baby blue.  I will mark September 25th as the big, BIG DAY!!  We will be there somehow.
Get the address and phone number of that Holiday Inn by your lodge.  It would be close.
Remember I am your one and only mom and I love you dearly.  I only wish I had my health so I could be with you more.  Take care, honey and write me soon.

All my love to a beautiful daughter,
Your mom