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as it ever was. I haven't any wrinkles to speak of."
On March 27, 1938, she was suffering from neuritis, which made life painful, and from heart trouble.
On April 27, 1939, she wrote, thanking Leah for the money she had sent and said she would use it to give to the people caring for her now, as she wanted to die knowing "that I have done the best I could under all circumstances all through my life. And now they are getting old and not so well to do as they were before the depression, as they lost a great deal during that time." "I want you to know that I have done all I could to help Louisa, too. I gave them my kitchen stove which was about new and cost me over $40 and other things and worked all I could to help them out while I was there." "Don't get discouraged. Think of the long life I have spent in ill health and what I have accomplished through it all and be patient."
One month later, on May 18, 1939, she had had another heart spell.
Strong in the Gospel
She wrote to Maud April 1, 1940, "I want you to know your appreciation for all I have done and sacrifices I have made for you, is repaying me for it all. I think of you very often and wonder, dear daughter, if you are living up to the principles of the gospel. I have been so diligent in teaching you. Write and tell me dear one if you are living up to my teachings to the best of your ability and constantly striving in the straight and narrow path that leads to an exaltation in the kingdom of God, and attending to your Church duties, prayers, etc.?"
On May 1, 1940, "I am glad to know that you are doing so well as you are, and am hoping that you will strive in the straight and narrow path continually and live your religion to the best of your ability, as I am, and always have been doing. Although I am in a Catholic Home, I keep to myself and live my own religion and remember my prayers twice each day at all times, and am praying for all my dearly beloved children and hoping they are living righteously before God so that we shall all be united in Eternity and I am setting a good and worthy example to all those with whom I come in contact and am hoping that we shall all be united in the same good work to the end of our days on this earth and that it will never cease through all eternity."
Fearing for her Children
She was sorry Leah had become Catholic. "I am living my religion the same as I always have and always been hoping that we would all be united in eternity. Julia has joined another church too. Well, I raised all my children very carefully and taught them the principles of the gospel, and now I want them all to have their freedom of thought and action and live their own lives, because that is what God sent them on this earth for."
Philosophy of Life after Death
Oct. 16, 1940-She wrote Maud: "I hope that you are feeling better about Blanchel's passing now as time goes on, because it is impossible for him to feel very happy while you are fretting about him, because it takes time for them after passing over to get weaned from their people and from the earth, so they linger around the ones they love here for some time after they pass to the other side.
"Now, as to him being happy there, that all depends upon the life he lived while on earth. If he lived a good life and did the best he could under the circumstances in which he was placed, he is sure to be very happy. But if he was careless and wasted his time here, that will be a constant regret to him, because that will keep him from advancing over there as he should, therefore, he cannot feel the same degree of happiness as he otherwise would.
"Our lives are a constant advancement in the estates that God places us. We have our own free will so we can either advance or stand still or go backwards instead of forward. Then it takes us a longer time to attain to the glory which belongs to us and is ours if we want to work for it. But there is no excellence without labor, so I am working with all my mind and might to attain my proper place soon as possible and have been doing the same all my life; so all this has been made known to me from the spirit world in return for my faithfulness in keeping the commandments and living near to the Lord, and I am passing all this on to you, dear, while I have strength and eyesight enough to write it."
Enjoying her Gifts
By May 3, 1942, she felt she had "such a short time to live that I am determined to enjoy the things I have each and every day." Those things include her birthday gifts: 2 doilies, 2 hankies, a dressing comb, a pretty flower pin and Ernest's photo from Maud. 2 pairs of silk hose from Julia and Irvin, 2 pairs of silk bloomers from Vasco, Isabel and children. Cards and tokens of love from Leah.
Staying with her Children
On Dec. 10, 1943, she wrote from Miami, FL, where she would live with her son, Vasco, for 3 months. She enjoyed getting away for the winter to a warmer climate.
Age 91
May 14, 1945-Letter to Maud: "Now that the European War is over, I guess that your boys will soon be coming home to you." "I am slowly gaining some strength. I am able to go down to the dining room for meals and do for myself so am no trouble to anybody for which I am thankful, and can walk out on the balcony some to get the sun and fresh air. But have to lie down a part of each day and rest in order to get along as well as I do. My eyes are very weak."
Age 94
Leah wrote:
"Mother is most remarkable at the age 94 she walks straight and writes her own letters and does many chores for herself."
Broken Hip at 95
Aug. 23, 1949-Anne had fallen and broken her hip. The nun telegraphed her grandson, Roscoe Presset, in Dayton to come right away. When Vasco and Isabel arrived they found her lying in bed, wanting to get up and "declaring she did not have any broken bones." But the nurse insisted she had a fractured leg, so she called the ambulance. The doctor the next day suggested Anne not go back to the home, but spend the rest of her days at the hospital (at a cost of $8.50 per day plus medicines and doctor care.) But the doctor agreed to put a peg or nail to hold bones together, so at least she could use her leg to get in and out of bed.
The Sunday before she had gone to spend the day with Vasco and family and had commented on how she enjoyed everything, ate rabbit and two ears of corn.
Last Operation
By Aug. 25, Vasco and Isabel had made the decision to go ahead with the operation and Vasco would stay MORE
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