Beatrice Snow Winsor letters to Lu & Wickie & family 1971

 Jan 4 1971

Dearest Luther, Wickie & family:

I meant to write sooner to thank you for your thotful Xmas gifts. The record is very beautiful but I only got one side of it since it wouldn't respond on the other side. Will have to get help. Your mother's candy, Wickie was enjoyed by all who came to call - and that is quite a number. Thank you so much. 

I hope you are all enjoying the books. I believe one is Bro. Sill's new book which answers a great need for the church. He was our speaker in church yesterday. Also Robert Peterson (operatic star) sang two numbers for us - He is known far & wide (a faithful Mormon) also old friend of our new Bishop Williams who lives across the hall from me. Sister Jessie Smith accompanied him. She says she just had a birthday - claims it's only her 29th. 

Pat, Teresa & Bruce took me to a movie "Airport" Saturday night over to Granger. It was a unique show - a constant delight - (Helen Hayes played an eccentric old lady). 

I am the same person as I have always been in spirit but my "physical" is dilapidated. In pain constantly adjusting as a new wrinkle shows up. Corresponding slow-down. 

I'm am trying to tackle my unfinished miscellaneous pile of family sheets (Snows this year on the new forms. 

I am very slow & hope I can get some help. I've turned in my resignation to the Snow and Eyring families so I hope for a release of responsibility soon. 

Have you received the Henry Eyring packet yet? We have several families not searched yet - at least I cannot find a record of them - Brian Leese is responsible for the rest of the French lines - maybe years coming through. 

I understand Mark is not coming back to B.Y.U.  Let me know if he needs help. I miss you all very much - and hope something will bring you back home soon. We miss you so much. I am having to empty my store room and accommodate the contents down here. This is a great inconvenience but it has to be done. since the management is putting a new roof on the whole building. I am moving things very slowly. Jennie Campbell has to move entirely to another building. Such is life. 

I love you all very much & hope your Xmas was all it should be in happiness & joy in being together as a family - with a New Year filled to the brim with new experience and love of life and faith in fellow beings. -

You will no doubt hear about Kathy eventually. She had a check- up with another doctor - he found she had "epilepsy" and gave her treatment to be given daily to prevent "seizures". She cannot stand "noise" so she lives up here on 8th Ave in one room - quit her telephone job - How her folks will manage I don't know. Marsh faces an end to his present flying contract but is planning another one that looks promising. 

Their three oldest children are not active in the ward (Marsh himself, no priesthood activity) doesn't take long to slide down hill. Wish there were someone who could warn them before it is too late. How many Satan has deceived into his trap "just this way"

Until I hear from you please keep well and God bless you all. 

Mom

Thot you would like this picture of your father. Bea wanted to do something special with hers & I thot you would like one. 

Monday March 8- 1971

Dearest Ones: 

Wickie & Lu -This is a hurried note to ask a favor of you - I would love to write about other things but I am close to a crisis in my life. I want to get started on the water color I'd like to do for Marilu & her sweetheart. She wants me to do an east coast picture for memories sake - the water front or her favorite visiting spot you all know & love. I need all the time I can get so it will be what she likes - "a forever" picture. Give me any tips you may feel I need. 

I've been working only occasionally at my painting. I mean because of my hands. I've had the meanest attack of all since November last. They refused to heal & my right hand has taken the worst beating of the many years in my life. They seem to be healing now but will never be the same. To know that my grafted hand is now susceptible to the eczema plague is more than upsetting & I am "playing for time"  from here on. The genealogy I have left to do is miscellaneous & I can pick it up in between other things. My jangled nerves will be straightened out in time but I am older now (this is my 80th year) I can't expect too much. Am trying to tie up loose ends. I gave up all my four ancestor lines & have been concentrating on the Winsor Lines (or technically) the Terrys , Beebes, Beardshall & Maternal lines. These lines for at least the Terrys have been blocked for years. They have had a genealogist now for them the last 2 yrs. I am doing some work on these on my own. 

Two New girls are helping finish up the Snow miscellaneous group. 

I cannot tell you how stabilizing the genealogical work has been for me. I have to find substitutes for loneliness - Pat's hand are full and tied. I'm busy when I'm on my feet. 

Love to you all. Keep well. - Mom

Sunday March 14

Dearest Lu & Wickie: Your letters on Mar 2 Wickie & Lu the 11th were enuf to bring me up to date with your "status quo" - how you two get together I'll never know. You do pretty well to convince yourselves you are really married & operating as usual. 

I hope you did not go back to work too soon, Wickie. I'm afraid this business of mixing work with home life isn't mixing too well. -please try to find an answer that will give you more time at home. Even that can be hectic. Who am I to be passing out wise criticism? I am no paragon of wisdom. 

I would like to comment on each of your letters & the problems they present at this end. We are the ones to work out our own of course. Marilu's wedding date of June 10 - falls on a Thursday - this is cataclysmic for Ken because his exams are going "full blast". He wants so much for it to be a "family get together" too so it is up to him to arrange his work otherwise if possible. I have not heard from the others. Ray has been very ill with pneumonia - & now Bea is in Arizona with him. recuperating where the sun is supposed to be shining. All of this was on the QT since I was not told a think about it. Didn't hear from the girls in Logan either. I expect to hear of Colleen's engagement any day too. 

I am waiting for the picture (eastern seashore) to do a water color for Marilu. Hope it is not too much to ask. -her wish you know. 

As for myself, I am trying to walk without a cane but somebody picked up my cane at the church 2 wks ago & the one remaining is too light to be of any use to me. So I guess I am on my own again. I seem to be reasonably safe on my feet but never quite sure. 

Thanks Lu for the letter from Daytona Beach. It came at a time when I was recovering from a "blue day" Did me a "world of good". Thank you for "taking the time" My hands are almost smooth now & an entire new surface on both hands - quite red but real nice & smooth. I am so grateful for answers to my prayers & those of my friends & my family. Please keep well and happy. "would Mark need a lift when he gets started in school again? Tell him I am proud of his status at B.Y.U. I am $100 a month short now since Polly has finished paying for their debt - She is painting regularly by now both water color & oil. 

Lovingly, Mom

March 28, 1971

Dearest Lu and Wickie, 

I'm writing this for Mom because she has been down again and she is anxious about the picture you were going to send so that she may make a painting for Marilu of the East Coast. She has to have a few seeks to make the picture and wants to have plenty of time. She has nothing of your part of the country at all. She knows you are busy, But hopes you will be able to send one soon. 

I have been here with Mom since yesterday, this being the weekend I was able to do it. She has been in a great deal of pain, this time with her right leg, not being able to put any weight on it at all. About a month ago it started giving her a bad time and has gotten worse each day. Frank Ashdown, Theresa's son who is a resident at L.D.S. Hospital, took Mom up to Dr.. Ward at the University Medical Center. he is the head there and went over her thoroughly. He suggested a physical therapy program which Mom could receive at L.D.S. Hospital. The program consisted of exercises to strengthen abdominal muscles to ease pressure of the pinched nerves causing the pain. According to X-ray pictures Mom has a lot of calcification in the spine due to Arthritis, also. We at this point don't quite know what to do. I think she should stay off her leg for a while and see what happens. 

Meanwhile Brothers Brossard and Ellsworth came in today and administered to her and the pain left her right away, although she still can't walk on her leg. Sister Ellsworth helped me fins a lady to come in for an hour or two each day to fix mom a good meal and do any necessary things for her.

I am going to be swamped the next few weeks. Kathy has decided to be married next Friday to the young man she has gone with for a year. She wants no frills or great expense, so we will have an open house maybe a couple of weeks later. So I have lots of sewing and cleaning to do. I will be glad when everything settles down again. I will explain all the details when we see you in June. 

I was happy to receive your letter and hope we can plan a pretty good reunion for those that can come. That will be Ken's busiest week, so don't know if he can make it or not. 

Hope everything goes smoothly for you. Remember Mom in your special prayers. I just know she will best this. She is anxious to get back to her work. 

Lots of love, Mom & Pat

23 April, 1971

Dearest R.R. my children & g.children - all of you -

I am writing from 4028 Boot hill Drive -(the Bennetts')  I have been here since my annual check up Apr. 16 with Dr. Ershler. Pat & Marsh have co-operated completely since it was necessary for me to be under supervision because of a new development - a heart that show definite changes. I'm not safe living alone. Pat has been so loving and co-operative and I can go on"keeping busy" with my typewriter & genealogy. 

I have left the apartment with at least half the furnishings in rooms, all my dishes, pots & pans 1 bed - the couch - most of my pictures. I am paid up to first of May (rent), so I will either have to hold it another month or I'll have no place for my children to come home to. It would give me time to bring the rest of my things over here. I need to dispose of my drapes. 

I've tried to find somebody who could live with me and share expenses - got nowhere. It has not been successful with others up to now. 

My heart has stopped fibrillating, and I continue to be on medication to prevent it. Pat has given you the picture I'm sure and I hope you will not worry. I am wishing you Bea &Polly could come later than early may so we could attend Marilu's wedding. Whatever you decide will be right of course. 

At this time, I am living from day to day and plans could change for me. Your faith and prayers i sorely need - Please remember Marshall in your prayers. He is tight as a drum-Nerves-waiting for the executioner as to their decision regarding the "flying" set-up. How one needs a friend to find a job!

Tonight it rains! I think I am an answer to prayer since my monthly rent will pay part of a month's expense in food. 

We'll let you know developments as they come. I am sure some way will open up to give us some answers. 

I love you all so very much. Pray for the right answers - I know they are waiting for us! 

Lovingly your Mom

Let's keep the R.R. moving so it will reach Bea in time to change plans - you can maybe reach her Polly or Pat perhaps will send her a special. 

Sunday, Sep 1971

Dear Lu & Wickie: Yours of the 19th of Sep reached me last Friday indicated no R.R. & I begin to wonder if it was lost in transit. Certainly it is a long time since we had the family letter packet. Time is something I am not able to cope with any more. My memory is very poor so if I fail to respond to important items it is for that reason. We all enjoyed your letter Wickie - it seems ages since hearing from Lu. 

I spent about 5 wks. in July & Aug. with Polly & a short time "going and coming" with Muriel & Mary. While on the seaboard with the Myers we did a lot of painting of the sea surf & water action. I was not able to walk out to various locations because of the warning of my doctor. I really did not need any - the least exertion gave me advance notice. My heart condition is serious and I have to avoid seizures constantly. 

I passed my 80th birthday without incident and aside from minor incidents I should be good for at least another year (God Willing). Pat is so faithful in carrying out my medical formula as needed and mindful of my every need. She has her day full of responsibility but still finds time for her mother. The Lord will reward her accordingly. 

I have tentatively planned to go to Bea's in October or November but as on now - there are no definite plans. Ray & Bea & family spent a couple of days here - coming & going to Logan to take the girls back to school. I had half planned to go to Ray's & Bea's in Oct. or Nov. but I hesitate because they are "in & out" so much. Ken's house is full so he has no room for his mother any more - no complaints.- just statement of facts. 

As one grows older the "family" seems dearer & more important than ever. That is the way it is with me now. If you know a way of checking on the "whereabouts " of R.R. let me know. 

It takes very little to tire me out - please keep well - I love you all - Until I hear from you -keep well

Lovingly, Mom

Oct 14 1971

Dearest family: Time slips by in a hurry and we have let the days pile up before we can settle down to letters. This is hard on the R.R. At least distance is shortened when pat & I are together. 

We've had beautiful autumn weather & Autumn leaves to bring into the house - I spent the day yesterday up to the hospital to see my friend Sis. Marge Butler who has been confined for some time there after the terrible accident. She & her daughter sustained recently. I slept there over night or (same room with Marjorie). Had an adjustment done for myself. Dilation and curetment - as a result I am below bar today. I know you will forgive me for the short letter. But R.R. take a long time to reach us at the best. Sometimes we can pack a lot of news on a page - I have little to give but my love - there's plenty to go around Yours always, Mom