This is my mother. She left me when I was just 14 years old. I saw her a few times from teenage through the typical college years (although I didn’t have typical college years) and then she passed away before I married or had children. She was a wonderful woman that I know I would talk to her often if she were alive, but I really never got the chance.

The most current entries are things I would tell her and only her ... because they aren’t meant to be heard, just vented (if she were alive). The majority of this blog are letters she wrote to me (and a few to my sisters) during the years that we were apart.

Thursday, June 5, 1986

June 5, 1986

Dear Betsy,
Today is a dark and rainy day.  I got up at 7:00 pm yesterday and had the worst case of diarrhea ever but OK today.  So how are you?  I enjoy your letters so much.  Bob ate breakfast.  Now he is laying down.  Tonight I am cooking liver.  I love it.  Today I work in the library for 1-3 pm.  Then, tomorrow I take blood pressure for everyone who lives here and it is well over 200.  I have never done that before.

June 9
Sorry it has taken so long to write this letter.  I have had little energy and my feet have really been bothering me.  I have to soak them 2-3 x a day in a pan of ice H20.  I do the laundry.  It is hard for me.  Bob is doing okay except he fell off the bed again and broke the skin on his knee wide open.  It is a mess.  My left hip has a deep crater.  It hurts at night.  I go to Cleveland Clinic for sure on Wednesday at 12:30.  I may be hospitalized for a week.  I don't know.  My feet are worse.  We are renting a car and someone from here is taking us.  I am not telling my parents.  They don't think Bob should go and I do.  It would cost northing to go with them.  But I want Bob there.  I hope they can help me.
So how are you?  I miss you.  So does Bob.  He is fond of you.  It is hot here.  I go out in the mornings when possible.  I am at McDonalds now for Sanka.  I came here for breakfast with a friend.  I have bacon, egg, cheese biscuit.  I always it.  I love it so much.  I took Bob home some pancakes and he cooked a big Italian sausage to go with it and put them in the microwave.
I am glad you are signed up for classes.  When do you start?  In the fall?  How many hours will you work?  You must be going to school after work hours.  I am proud of you.
Are you coming to Toledo this summer to see me?  I miss you.  It has been 2 years.
Well, I am out of news.  Write me back soon.  I love you so very much.  I love to hear from you.

All my love,
Mom