May 6, 1989

Judith E. Thompson 

and 

Earl L. Burgess

request the honor of your presence

at their wedding

on Saturday, the sixthh of May

Nineteen hundred and eighty nine

at two o'clock in the afternoon

The Church of Jesus Christ of 

Latter-day Saints

Toledo, Ohio

March 20, 1989

For a Special Daughter

It seems like only yesterday that you were so small and your life was just beginning and now you've grown into a beautiful and talented young woman …

Dearest Betsy,
You are a daughter to be very proud of and happy for, and you're wished much love and happiness as you face many bright tomorrows.

All my love,
Your mommy

December 11, 1988

Dear Sandy, Betsy and Kirstie,

I am in ICU.  I came thru ER last night.  My BP was 50/30 and heartbeat was 38.  I got 4 boluses of atropine.  They thought my coryard was doing this.  Then they gave me Insulin IV and NA Bucarb IV.  I was dying.  I had a junctual heart beat.  Anyway they found high potassium.  I can't eat.  I have had nothing in over 24 hours.  They want the potassium out of my body.  At 1:30 the nurse said I went in normal sinus rhythm.

Sandy, I am not getting the sewing for my granddaughters.  This is hard to write because I have an IV.  I can't get out of bed or have a sip of water.  I want some toast.  Dr. Ashton is in my doctor.  He stopped all meds.  My room here in ICU is colder than my apartment.

ICU is decorated pretty.  I have no phone.  Grandma and Grandpa will be here today.  My BP came up also.  I hope he lets me eat.  I was near death when I came in.  I also had another.  The nurse told me I was one sick cookie and could have died.

I am out of news for now.  Will write later.  I love all of you.

Love,
Mom

December 3, 1988

Dear Betsy,
So how is the bride-to-be?  May 6 will be here soon.  I hope I am better.  The doctor says I had a major stroke and now I keep having mini strokes.  I am on a blood thinner (coumadin) which disolves clots.

Today I have a lot of energy.  I am trying to pick up my room (living).  Then I must do BR.  When I was in Mercy, I bought a craft kit.  I picked one for Alexsandra's baby's 1st shoes.  I hope I can make them.

I did an insurance form for meds.  Now I wait for the money.

I have cable vision and I love it.  I get up early in night and cable goes all night.

Well, I wanted you to know that I think of you, love you and miss you.

Take care.  Come see me.  I miss you.

All my love,
Mom

July 21, 1988

Dear Betsy,

I am doing better but I fell last night at 4:30.  I lost my balance and crashed on the corner of a chair with my chest.  I have to have a chest x-ray because it hurts to laugh or cough.  I got a good breakfast today.  We all get along together.  We eat in the dining room, and watch TV.  I am going to start some crafts.  I saw someone made a little train so I thought I'd make one for  Markel.  I am still depressed inside but I want to get better.  I wish I could live in VA.  I need to be around you all.  I need a lot of support.  I have had a lot of losses in a short time.  I never figured I'd have a nervous breakdown.  I am in locked doors.  I like it.  I am leaving better and understanding more.  We get a lot of counselling.  I hope you can be proud of me for doing this.  I wish Sandy and I had talked before I came.

Grandma and Grandpa came for a meeting last night.  They were nicer.  Maybe they'll understand some day.  They are moving and probably won't come tonight.  I called Father Brown from St. Andrews Church (Episcopal).  He is my friend and is coming to see me today.  I hope.  He'll bring communion.  I think part of my problem (a big part) is Mormon church. It changed me.  I don't know my religion right now.  I haven't been to church since Bob died.  They plan to put me in grieving programs after I get out (support groups).  I really miss Bob.  He and I shared so many feelings and both of us being handicapped.  I really loved him so much and now he is gone.  Life has to go on.  I live alone and that could be a problem.  I need to get out more and do things.  I am on new drugs here plus Lithium for depression.  I don't feel sad any more but I know I am depressed.

So how are you doing?  I had to describe you to everyone here (social worker, therapist, etc) I said Betsy is vivacious, lovely, bubbly, and lovable, Betsy.  I do love you so much.

I will close now and hope I can get someone to mail your letter.  I love you.  I'll get better.  I am sure.

Love,
Mom

July 19, 1988

My Dear Betsy,

I thank you so much for caring so much about me.  I cam in Mercy Hospital yesterday and I had a terrible night.  My head hurts and I was nauseated.  It is very busy here.  I have to walk a lot and we all eat together.  You talk a lot.
I am waiting for my doctors.  I had blood work done and breakfast.  At 3:30 AM  I found out I could of had a sleeping pill.  They didn't tell me.  I have a nice private room and it is cool.  Thank Heavenly Father.

Did I tell you I made Markel the pink dress and panties?  I have a blue print to make now.  I made the new baby a 2 yard quilt.  It was so pretty.  Sandy has them.

I called Kirstie and she upset me.  She thought I shouldn't take pills and this was no big deal.  She is flying me to VA for Christmas.  You will be there, not you?  I want to see you so much.

I had a nice anointing and blessing last night.  I needed it.  I am in a Catholic Hospital.  They came in to give me Communion this AM but I said I wasn't Catholic (yet).

They check your purse, suitcases, etc and take things away.  I used to do this to others and now I am upset.

I really want to go home.  I pray I am doing the right thing.  Grandma and Grandpa are being helpful.  I keep crying but I know you are there for me.  Thanks honey.  I love you.  Well, I can't write longer.  Hope you are Okay.  Oh, I found a four month supply of Seldane so I'll send it soon.  It was never opened by Bob.  I am almost the big things and a few extras.  Got to get rid of a $1000 Ethan Allen Maple table and chairs.  Beautiful.  Are you needing one?  I am sure Grandma would give it to you.
I love you.  I am on a locked ward.  Scary.  Not any fun.

Write,
Love,
Mom

July 5, 1988

Dear Betsy,

Now that you are better I found my bottle of choledyl for you.  I needed it 1 1/2 years ago but no more.  Did you get your package?

I am going overboard sewing for a darling spoiled grand daughter.  I made her the dress and panties and have another cut out.  I bought her flannel for PJ's.  I bought her beautiful corduroy and peach kettlecloth to match.  I am so anxious to sew for her.  I hate sewing for myself and I should but Markel and new ones are special.  I loved sewing for you girls.  If Sandy has a boy I'll have to take a class.  I just want her to have a healthy baby.

My feel and ankles are a mess.  They are so swollen.  I'll probably have to go the doctors today or tomorrow.  I have terrible arthritis  in my left knee and back.  I could barely walk for 1/2 hour.  He gave me samples to take and they helped great.  Except my feet swelled and they are worse.

I put a Security Deposit down on an apartment in South End where I used to live in 1984.  I am busy packing and should be laying down but I got to get it done.  It will be nice and not cluttered.  I have to get ride of my parents beautiful maple table and chairs.  They are Ethan Allen.  I need a little table.  I could meals at home a lot.  I use the microwave and crock pot.
I got up at 1 AM because I couldn't sleep.  I hope I can get a nap today.

Isn't this heat awful.  They say it will be 100 today.  I need to get boxes so I can pack some more.  I need smaller ones for canned goods.  I just cleaned the cupborads out and now I start all over again.  I wish I had the legs and feet to do it all.  I hate soaking them in ice water every morning and night.

I just pray I get this apartment.  I put my $300 deposit in her mail slot.  I'll call today.  I am still working on Bob's insurance forms.  There is so much to do when someone dies.  He had no estate - just me.
I have Veteran headstone to get

June 27, 1988

Dear Betsy,

I am glad you are getting better.  Your doctor sounds good.  Do you have insurance for office calls?  I am so sorry I took my phone off the hook.  A friend (so to speak) calls at all hours and disturbs me.  All she talks about is her husband who has cancer.  I try to listen to help but there is no helping her.

I woke up at 1:30 am and have been up since them because my knees and back were aching so bad.  I haven't been taking my arthritis med I am suppose to so I did at 2 AM.  That's when I had my breakfast.  I have to get my teeth cleaned at 9 AM and have errands to do.

I went to Red Lobster for lunch on Saturday and will have left over today.  Grandma and Grandpa write me a check for meals I eat out.  Isn't that nice.  I cook most my meals and enjoy it.

I will get yours and Sandy's packages to Grandpa.  Grandpa will take them to Maumee for me.  I am sending Sandy the new baby's quilt and darling pink dress I made.  I am proud of myself after all these years of not sewing.  Bob bought a beautiful new one and I love it.  He was so good to me in lots of ways.  He couldn't help it that his brain had such bad blood vessels.

Saturday I get my eyes checked by a good doctor.  In order for me to write or read I  have to close my left eye.  I have a lot of periods of double vision.  I must need new glasses.  Teeth, eyes,,, shoot my monthly $270 plus car insurance.  I no longer have call waiting so I am talking if it is busy.  Otherwise I am gone or asleep.

Honey, I love you very much and would love to see you.  Christmas is 6 months away but I'll see you for sure.  I am really looking forward to a Christmas together.

All my love,
Mom

June 21, 1988

Dear Betsy,
I was going to move but if anything happens to Grandpa I'd be in low income housing again.  So I am going to have my place painted and some wall paper to cheer it up.  I had 19 boxes packed.  I figured you were in Reston for Father's Day or I would have called you.  I am going to Virginia and stay with Kirstie and Will for Christmas.  I'll get to see all of you and I am so excited.  It won't bother me to be around Dad and Alison if it doesn't bother them.  We have a good relationship.  We have three beautiful daughters and almost 2 grand babies.  I sew all the time.  I am starting a new dress and panties for Markel.  If she has a boy, I'll have to take a class.  Never sewed for a boy.  I sewed for your Dad.
Did you get the Eastern Star pin?  When I die, you get my ring.  When Grandma dies I get hers.  It is so beautiful.  They are both healthy.  We went to a beautiful $9.95 buffet on Sunday.  The stopped and bought germanium's for the graves.  They surprised me and got Bob one because he was a step-dad.  Before he got so sick he was a kind and gently man.  I would never even married him if he wasn't.  Betsy, I truly loved Bob.  We understood each other's handicaps.  My legs are hard to understand and live with.  I am learning.  Yesterday they were a mess and I went no where.  It is supposed to be 95 degrees here.  I wish it would rain and break the heat wave.
I scrubbed the bottom of my feet when they were so hot.  I had to see the Neurologist in Maumee Thursday morning.  I have to get a Dilantin blood level today.  It will ruin my legs.  I need some things from the fabric store (2 bobbins).  Did I tell you I am done with the new babies blanket.  I am almost done with Markel's darling pink dress.  It has lots of lace.  Pretty for summer. I made the panties deeper.  I bought her 3 dresses on sale.  They are adorable.
So how are you?  Working hard I am certain.  Still going to school?  I know you work hard.  How is your love life or are you too busy?
I have shortening of clothes to do and mending.  Hate that but I guess I'll have to do it.  Don't buy me a nightgown or robe.  I have all of Aunt Ida's and they are all new.  She saved her good clothes.
Wish I had your ideas on how to decorate this place.  I have them but I would value your opinion.
We haven't seen each other in years.  You are always welcome.  So come and see me.  Are you going to Virginia Beach this summer and when?  Well, I want this to go in today's mail.  I hope you are well and happy and enjoying life.  I love you, honey and I miss you so much.  Write or call.

All my love,
Mom

June 11, 1988

Dear Betsy,
How are you, honey?  I hope to call you tomorrow. I miss you.  It has been so long since I saw you.  Do you remember my apartment on Heatherdowns where you came to see me?  Well, I am going to move there.  Grandma and Grandpa are going to give $200 /month for rent and I pay the rest.  I just get it yesterday and can start moving in next Saturday.  I will have to get rid of things.  This apartment I have now is so cluttered.  I have Grandma's beautiful kitchen table and 4 winged back chairs.  They cost over $100 are in A one shape.  Do you want them? I hate to sell them if you could get them.  I have so muc to do and must rest a lot.  My feet and legs have been bad.
I am sewing a beautiful pink dress for Markel.  I worked on it earlier.  I hope it fits.  I need her measurements for elastic.  I also need a new iron.  Something is wrong with mine.
Last night was our 25th class reunion from Toledo Hospital.  It was registration and wine and cheese party.  It was hard on me.  I am the only one handicapped.  I am also the only widow.  Sad byt true.  There was a tea this afternoon but 85 degrees.  Tonight is a big dinner.  it should be nice.  It was good to see people - I haven't seen in years.  Time does go by.  I miss Bob a lot.
Oh, I am coming to Virginia for Christmas.  I want us to ahve Christmas together.  Haven't had one since 1979.  I am excited.  You will come, won't you.  Kirstie and Will asked me to come and stay with them.  She called me today and asked if I want to be around Dad.  I said it was fine.  We are friends, etc.  He is the father of my three beautiful daughters.  We had 18 years together.  I get along fine with Alison, too.
I am trying to sketch a tree.  It is fun and very creative.  I had Saturdays by yourself.  There is no soap opera, etc on Saturdays are long days.  I am going to church tomorrow.  They'll probably fall over.  I will go to the 1st ward now.  Oh, I will be so glad to leave this neighbor.  I'll miss going to the community room 2-3 times a day for coffee.  It is well protected but the neighborhood is slum area.  I'll be so close to a mall, restaurants, Masonic complex, etc.  Church is 5 minutes.  It's a 1/2 hour drive one way now.
Aunt Ida had many new nightgowns and robes.  I have to shorten them because I can't wear floor length.  I have all the gowns I will need for years.  I sure go to bed in pretty clothes and I always smell good.  I still have to soak my feet in ice cold water every night.
I'll have to be frugal with my money starting now.  I was eating out a lot because I missed Bob so much.  Yesterday, I cooked four big chicken breasts in the crock pot.  They were and are delicious.  I made Brussels sprouts and a salad and apricots.  Pretty good too.
Are you active in Eastern Stars?  I will only be a block from the beautiful Masonic Complex so I could get active and have something to do.  I need that.
Are you keeping busy with work and school?  I am proud of you!
Grandma and Grandpa are moving to a new but smaller condo.  There's up for sale.  They will only have one floor - no upstairs or basement.  It is in the same area.  I'm not supposed to tell anyone.  They gave me the 1986 Pontiac they bought a blue mini-van (Dodge caravan).  They like it.  I rode in it last Sunday.  We went for a buffet which was delicious.
My dad finally put my pictures up and now I am moving.  I'll let  you know when and my address and phone number.  I'll even be close to my bank and loads of grocery stores.
Did you get the Eastern Star pin?  I hope you like it.
Well, I must go and make myself some more food.  I am always hungry.
I guess Mark is working for Coka Cola now.  I hope he sticks with a job.  He needs to accept responsibility.  He talks big but no show.  I hope he and Sandy make it.  I think she is upset and she is very tired.
Remember I love you honey and I do miss you.  Take care.  Write or call.  It means so much to me.

All my love,
Mom