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, September 24, 1987

September 24, 1987

Dear Betsy,

Well, I made it to see the baby.  Sandy and Mark.  Markel is such a beauty.  Hard to believe.  It is hot here.  It is good to see everyone.   Holding Markel for the first time was wonderful.  I am in a motel.  I am not going to live here in Utah.  I'll write my feelings later.  Hope you are well.  I love you.

Love,
Mom

Sunday, August 16, 1987

August 16, 1987

Dear Betsy,
I haven't heard from you for a while.  I hope you are well.  I am trapped in because of the extreme heat.  I hate summer because of my feet and legs.
Sandy's baby is small.  Grandma and Grandpa are paying for an OB consult which she saw.  The baby's heart beat is a little slow too.  She took a stress test yesterday.  I do pray all will be well.  Keep the baby and her in your prayers.  I am concerned.  She is working hard and has her hands full.  She is very tired.  She has applied for welfare and is supposed to get it soon.
Bob moved into an apartment around the corner from me.  He is on the phone or over her a lot.
I made a jello salad with fruit early today.  I made oatmeal but I still am hungry.  I at at 6 am. Did I tell you that I got 2 CEU's for RN by answering all questions right?  I want to do one on emphysema soon.  I haven't much energy.  Grandma and Grandpa brought some fruit goodies, meat, milk, etc. three days ago.  They stayed 45 minutes.
Today is ice cream social for Eastern Stars and it's going to be 95 degrees or more.  Aunt Ida is going.
Are you ready for college?  I bet you are excited.  I was when I went to Nursing school 24 years ago.
Kelly is my buddy.  She stays in the bedroom all day.  I sleep on the hideaway bed at night by the cooler.  Last night I drank a beer.  Tasted good.
Well, I am out of news.  Write me.  Remember I love you and miss you.  Take care and write.

All my love,
Mom

Saturday, August 8, 1987

August 8, 1987

Dear Betsy,
I was certain I started a letter to you and stamped an envelope.  Anyway, I have searched all over and can't find it.  So I'll try again.
I have no energy.  My hemoglobin is low and I take potent iron.  My appetite is poor and I want to eat out which I can't.  I need to save money to go and see the grand baby.  I am mixed up about moving.  I can accept most things but I worry about finding the right doctor who does start all over again.  I've been through too much.
My apartment was exterminated last week along with everyone else.  Bob kept Kelly but she is back now.  I missed her.  She just came to sit where I am writing.
I found the only copy of our sealing and put it in my book of remembrance.  I have gained 5# which puts me at 125# which is good.
My new glasses are very strong and I am having trouble seeing everything.  I have to wear them all the time.  Not used to that.  I wish you were here.  Our weather is cloudy today.  Bob is supposed to move today around the hall from me.  He was mean to me yesterday and I got hurt psychologically.  Anyway, I was driving and he hit me.  I was right anyway but that is it.
I think I will go to church and McDonald's for breakfast for a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit.  I get my coffee free because I have a golden buckeye card.  My breakfast costs $1.21.
I am sleeping on the hideaway bed so I can keep cool.  I open it every night.  A mess but the bedroom is too warm.
I had a delicious taco salad at Bob Evans yesterday.  I used 7 containers of salsa.
I will need your new address.  Let me know.  I hate Saturday and Sunday.  there is no one to call.  I don't have many friends because I have moved so much.
I hope you are breathing okay and doing well.  Please write.   Remember I love you dearly.  Miss you too.

Love,
Mom

Friday, July 31, 1987

July 31, 1987

Dear Betsy,
Well, I don't know when I will get this mailed since I have no stamps.  But I decided to write anyway.  Sandy called last night.  She was down.  She needs a $3600 loan for Mark to get a job.  I can't help her.  She said she was going to call you.  Did she?  She wants a job but can't get one because she is pregnant.  I want to go to Provo when she has the baby.  I may get a low income apartment there for two months.  Yet I am  worried about moving.  I should go and be happy.  I worry about my feet and legs and all the moving trauma.  My apartment will have to get air conditioning.  My apartment here is small but nice for sun and has good air conditioning.  I sleep in the Living room on sofa bed because bedroom is too warm.  I hope this heat ends soon.
My dad had a big tooth pulled today.  It is bleeding.  My new glasses aren't any good.  Things blurry.  I can't see with or without them.
I am anemic and have to take prescription iron.  I feel better but they constipate me.  Can't win.  If I don't take them I just lay around.

August 3
Well, I got a stamp so I can mail this.  I wake up very early.  I go to bed early too.  I even try to nap one hour every afternoon.  I feel better.  I got exterminated the other day and people from church helped a lot.  Bob sleeps most all day and up all night.  So he doesn't bother me.  Except --- except that he expects me to cash his check or take him, get him Lotto tickets, take him out to supper.  Then he is mean to me.  I need to move away except he covers me with beautiful medical insurance.  He even pays the premium.  But I can't live like this.  I wish I could work.  I will do my nursing '87 for continuing education.  I got the last one all night.  I was proud of myself.
Well, I will close.  Take care.  Write.  Give me new address.  I love you, honey.  Remember that.

All my love,
mom

Tuesday, June 30, 1987

June 20, 1987

Dear Betsy,
I got your letter today.  I was going to write you anyway.  Thanks for caring and the letter.
Days go so slow for me.  It is such a lonely life.  It is so hot here for my feet and legs.  I go to bed early and get up early.  Did I give you my new phone number?  It is …
So Kirstie has moved out.  Do you miss your fights?  How is your study?
I love my glasses and looked everywhere.  Well, today I found them and I am so glad.  I got to get my eyes examined.  I had to get 2 new RX's yesterday for $50 and only enough for 15 days.  It is terrible.  I got a Taco Salad but it made my belly upset but it was delicious.
tomorrow, my parents are taking me to brunch at Tinkos.  Aunt Ida is going and we leave here at 10:30 and go to Perrysburg.  It will be hard on me  but my dad will be happy.  I am glad they are paying for it.
June 21
It is Sunday AM and I just tried to call you but Alison said you were gone for the weekend.  I am sorry I missed you.  We went to the brunch and had a 1/2 hour wait.  It was huge  and really good.  I even ate dessert after lots of fruit, etc.  Then we came here and I gave Grandpa a little gift.
June 23
Bob and I would have been remarried 3 years day.  He forgot but we are going to LePeeps for fancy breakfast at 10 am tomorrow.  I will have the most delicious oatmeal and blueberries and cream, juice and whole wheat muffin and pot of coffee.  Really good and expensive too.
Yesterday I finished the baby blanket I  made for Sandy Hodge's baby.  It is 2 yards long and 60 inches wide and all bound by wide yellow satin.  It is so pretty.  I hope she likes it.
Last night and tonight "Women in White" are on.  It is so good and I will stay up late.  I decided to go to bed at 10:15 and up and on my feet in 12 hours.  The days are not so long that way.
Did I tell you I start on Intermediate sewing class on July 9th in the evenings?
Bob took me to the Olive Garden yesterday and I had a huge virgin Mary, big salad and really good eggplant.  I was stuffed.  He is good to me at times.
So you are dating Paul.  Tell me about him.  Is he nice, good looking, etc. and good to you?  What about Kermon?  By the way Grandma and Grandpa still have his clothes he left at their house.  Well, I am out of news.  Write me soon.  I love you so much.

All my love,
Mom

Saturday, June 13, 1987

June 13, 1987

Dear Betsy,
Here I am writing you again.  A lot has happened.
I have been very dwon and unable to sleep.  I have a lot on my mind.  My parents are really upsetting.  The brakes on their precious car which is what I drive are shot.  I told them and told them.  Now everything will need replacing.  My dad knows nothing about cars.
I had to go to my doctor to get some help.  He put me on my estrogen only increased it.  Plus he wants me to take progestrone for 10 days a month.  I am going for a pap smear on July 10th  I will gain weight from the medicine.  I don't eat that much really.  I am making a batch of the most delicious chili.  I get up early.  Bob is coming later to eat with me.  We love hot spicy chili.  I learned to cook so different with Bob.  I even love avadcados.  I try lots of things.  I love italian and mexican food.  I don't like rice, macaroni, nooles or pastas.  I love vegetables, cottage cheese.  Before I go to bed I heat a cup of milk and add 1 tsp of nesltles Quick.  Relaxing.  Plus I take my calcium since I am getting older and I don't want osteoporous.
I am without a car and I hate it.  I can't do anything.  I have to go early because of the heat.  I wish summer were over for my sake.  I like cool days and dreary.  The sun really gets my feet and knees.  I don't know if I'll get to church tomorrow either or even where to go.
I am still mixed up about that.  I like the Episcopal church but it isn't air conditioning.  I think I'll go back to being a Presbyterian and forget all others.  Between religion, my disease, my parnets and Bob, it is no wonder I am a basket case.  You know, it broke my heart not to go to Sandy's wedding or get to meet Mark and see all of you.  I was so upset that day.  I had my ticket all paid for and I lost my $200 or I wish everyone could understand (including me) that I am no longer able to do much.  I love you so much and your sisters and I am missing so much.  It is very sad.  But I can't dwell on it.  I pray for you every day.  I do feel better today and I slept better.
Bob and I may not go back.  I like my freedom.  I guess I belong alone with the conditions I have to live under.  I like things neat and he doesn't.  I can't take clutter.
Well, the brakes were through to metal but my dad is going to pay for it all.  Thank God for that.
Well, I guess I'll close now.  Please write and understand my confusion.  I love you, dearly.  I miss you.  come and see me.

All my love,
Mom

Thursday, June 11, 1987

June 11, 1987

Dear Betsy,
I mailed your last letter on Monday and got your package that afternoon.  The gown is lovely. It fits too.  I really love it.  Thank you so very much.  I love you and I do appreciate your love.
I don't know when I wrote you this week that Bob and I are trying to work things out.  I took my phone off the hook for several days and I wouldn't let him in.  I finally met him and talked to him.  I have been so mixed up.  I need someone and I do love him.  He truly is patient and loves me.  I can't leave a part.  So he is over here and sleeps on the sofa.  This morning I was up at 5:30 and it was cool.  I ate and I went with him to the White Hut.  I had coffee and bought him breakfast.  I then went to Dunkin Donuts and got 1 1/2 dozen donuts.  Then I got a few groceries.  The sad part is the brakes on the car.  They are grinding and it has to go for probably over $300 work.  I have $130 charged on Sohio for air conditioning.  I don't know what to do about money.  My mom owns the car and they pay for nothing.  Only Bob understands.
Tomorrow I go to the doctor and have to spend a lot of money on medicine refills.  So I am very poor.
I would love to move away from all this but I guess I can't.
So how are you and your love life?  What is going on?  We could write a book.  You know Bob really understands me and helps me a lot.  I love with a lot of pain.  My legs and feet burn and throb so much at night and morning.  It is a hard life.  If it weren't for you girls and Bob, I'd probably quit.
Tonight Kirstie graduates.  Seems like you just did.  Time goes faster as a person gets older. It is true.  I hope she has a nice graduation.  I miss these times.  I missed all of yours.  At least I got to install you as Worthy Advisor and now you are a beautiful Eastern Star.  I am so proud of you.
I hope you understand about me and Bob.  I do care for him and I guess we really belong together.  He is really good to me.
Sandy called yesterday.  She is fine.  She and Mark went to the doctor and she is 6 months pregnant.  All is well.  She is on vitamins.  She is leaving Sunday for Provo to babysit for Mark's niece for a month.
I have a new phone number…  I don't have to give it out.
Well, I am out of news.  I love you honey and thank you for the beautiful gift.  It was so nice of you.  You are special and a wonderful daughter.  I wish I was more of your life.  I missed so much but I can't dwell on it.  I love you.

All my love,
Mom

Write me honey!!!

Sunday, June 7, 1987

June 7, 1987

Dear Betsy,
I received a letter from you yesterday.  I love to hear from you.  So you are going to George Mason.  Is that in Reston?  Will you still love at home?  It is hard to believe Kirstie is going to graduate.  I am proud of you.  Now, if both you and I could put our love life on the right track!  Sounds like you are going to have a ball at the beach.  I did things like that when I was younger.  Your Dad and I went boating a lot and we loved it.  I always go sunburned.  Bob drives me crazy for the most part.  When he leaves me alone my ulcer is okay.  Yesterday it felt close to bleeding.  Today I am okay.  He called at 6:45 and I didn't answer.  So he rang my phone 75 times and it drove me crazy.  When it quit, I took it off the hook and left it.  I hope you aren't trying to get me.
I can't come for Kirstie's graduation because of my legs and I'll be upset because I'll miss it.  I love her just as much.  I wish she would write me or call.  I don't know what to do for a gift.  She would probably appreciate the money.  You came to visit me.  We had a very nice visit, didn't we.  You know, Bob really thinks you are great!  He puts so much pressure on me and makes me feel guilty.  I must not care too much for him.  I feel like his slave.  He has me cook, do dishes, etc.  I hardly have many dishes when he is not here.  I am trying to eat foods high in calcium.
Now, as far as know who is "Mr. Right," you will when it happens.  Sounds like Dave and you were the happiest.  Now I knew your dad was Mr. Right and I felt very much in love.  I still think a lot of him.  We really had a good marriage. He traveled too much and I worked too much.  I should never worked so much on 3-11 shift.  I missed a lot of all of your lives.  Then my health went bad.  Sometimes I think we were happiest up Sugarloaf Mountain.  We love it there and I worked hard and so did your dad.  I miss it.  I could have had a great career but we moved a lot and then my legs got so bad.  I did work hard.  So did your dad.  I am so happy I had three daughters and they are well and love life.  Soon I'll have a grandchild.  Hard to believe.
So I made a mess of my life.  I probably should never married Bob.  I was lonely, sick, etc.  We only knew each other for one and 1/2 months before sivore.  He was nice to everyone.  Now he is mad at the world.  I still see good sides of him.  Somehow I don't think things could work out.  What do you think?  Your dad never used bad language.  I just heard on TV that you never get over your first love.  I think that is true.  What do you think?
I bought a Farberware 8 cup coffee maker.  I had a new automatic drip and hated it.  I make 4 cups of coffee every morning which is 2 big mugs full.  It is delicious.  Then I go to the community room for a small cup around 10 am.  Do you ever drink coffee?  Nurses love coffee.
I can't exercise anymore because I have a abdominal hernia.  I walk a little in the closest mall and climb some steps.  So I got a little bigger belly but I can't help it.  I weight 122$#.
Bob took me to Red Lobster for lunch yesterday.  I had a virgin Mary with celery.  Then I had scallops and shrimp with tossed salad and cauliflower.  Everything was delicious.  Then we went to TCBY for yogurt.  Oh, I love that stuff.  My friend, Judy goes to get it every day.  It is a long way for me.
Grandpa got groceries for me on Friday.  It is hard for me to do in the heat.  Grandma and he are nice to me now.  She is so busy.  Today she has hives.  She is back working plus the Eastern Stars.  I dearly loved the picture of you.  You are so beautiful, really.
I will always treasure it.  Thank you so much.  I thank you so much for your letters, etc.  I really appreciate them so much.
Kelly is fine.  She loves the afternoon sun.  I really love her.  She listens to me a lot.  She is a great comfort.  The days are so long.
Well, I am out of news.  Remember I love you so very much.  I'd love to see you.  Maybe you could come before school starts.  Are you going to work too?
I miss you, honey.  Write soon.

All my love,
Mom

Sunday, May 31, 1987

May 31, 1987

Dear Betsy,
Got your letter the other day.  Said you were though with Kermon.  Sandy called and said you and he were dating.  You sound as bad as me and Bob.
I had cabin fever today.  It has been mid 90s and a little cooler.  Bob took me to Long John Silver's for early supper.  We had broiled halibut.  Then we went over the street and got hot fudge sundaes.  I am gaining weight.  I have to take lots of estrogen and that gains weight.  I then went to the mall and walked a little.  My feet gor really hot so I am soaking them in cold ice water.  I also had 2 cups coffee (my downfall) I love coffee.
Sandy and Mark seem very happy.  I am getting anxious to be a grandma.  I am making her lots of difficult baby clothes.  I will start a sewing class in July.  I hope I can learn a lot.  I haven't sewn for so long.  I am making a big quilt also, like  I made when Kirstie was little.
I hear you and Kirstie are going to the beach.  That is nice.
Kelly is a lot of company.  She is shedding now.  I comb her every day and she purrs.  You'd love her only she would probably make you wheeze.  How is your asthma doing?  I have rales in the lower lobes of my lungs.  Probably getting emphysema.  My Grandpa Deakin had it bad.
I haven't much news.  Bob is coming over for the evening.  He is company.  Time goes so slow for me.  I get up early.  I am going to start staying up lair and hopefully sleep a long time.
I hope you and Kirstie are well.  When does Kirstie graduate?  I love you, honey.  Write soon.
I miss you.

All my love,
Mom

Sunday, May 24, 1987

Mary 24, 1987

Dear Betsy,
I am at the donut in and thought I would write you.  I dropped Bob off at the coin shop for an hour.  We had a lovely meal at the Olive Garden.  I love that Italian salad, soup and entrees.  It is so good.
Well, I am back home now.  I now have 2 patterns to make 2 or 3 complete layette sets for Sandy's baby.  It will really be a challenge as I haven't sewn in many years.  I have a new machine I have never used.  I am getting excited about being a grandma.  I hope all is well with Sandy.
I have my feet in a bucket of very cold water hoping to cool them.  It doens't always help.

May 25
I ran some errands this morning and am having a big salad, cottage cheese and broccoli and some hot peppers.  I love lots of spice foods but for some reason I crave cottage cheese.  I don't eat it every day.  I have some bananas and fresh strawberries.  I still love salad or cole slaw bit is no longer my main meal.  I eat well.  I weight 125#.  Tomorrow I go to the doctor but I feel pretty good.  I read a lot since I can't walk for exercise.  I really wish there was something I could do to be in better shape.  I can no longer do sit ups because I have a hernia right below my navel.
So are you keeping busy?  I bet you are getting anxious to move and go to college.  I am proud of you.  You have accomplished a lot in your life.  Always remember that I love you dearly and always will.  I think of you so often and cherish my memories of you.  I wish I could see more of you.
Bob and I went to Rudy's and I had a lot bowl of delicious chili and a salad.  I like it with cayenne pepper.  That is in the North end.  Then I drove all the way to the south end and got us each a delicious cup of french vanilla yogurt.  It tasts liek ice cream.  I must not quite so much.  Tomorrow I go to the doctor.  It is back to the south end.  I need a few groceries.
I don't know my true feelings about Bob.  I know he loves me very much.  He is a lot of care truthfully.  I also need his company.  Life alone is awful lonely.  Bob has to move to a one bedroom apartment.  Would you believe they put him in an apartment across the hall from me.  He has to move by June 1st.  I like my independence at times and he is always around.  Anyways.  I am mixed up about him.  He is good to me.
Well, I will close now.  Remember I love you very much and I miss you.  I'd love to see you.  Write soon.

I love you,
All my love,
Mom