If you need any

money say so and

I will send it to

you.

M.B.

Chicago, Ills, May 7, 1943

My dear Oliver –

I received your beautiful “Mothers Day” card and surely enjoyed the inspiring tribute you wrote me. It means a whole lot to me as I know my years are long past the allotted 70 years. There are so many things I want to do and I cannot accomplish much. My arms get so tired and also my hands to the very fingertips. My limbs are much better. I get lonesome and now I am changing many things to divert my attention. I bought new curtains for front room, kitchen and in the dining room some from Mrs. Iverson. Today I got a light grey coat lined in pale blue and spring hat with blue flowers for Mothers Day. Got my shoes last week and am all fixed out. Xenia gave me a beautiful long black purse. I finished paying Yoekkes bill and got the $20 receipt. Received the ten you sent me in the last letter. Do not send any more money as the government sends 37$ or twice out of your pay. I cut this clipping from the “Christian Boy” which was returned here, I heard on the radio that the mails addressed for overseas went to N. York. N.Y. and were censored and no papers were allowed. There is no room for carriage. I have not heard from Leonard since March. Am afraid he may never return according to reports on the radio concerning fronts in Africa. Last Sunday in SS there were 10 present. The O’Sheas was not there. Shirley Wall left also and got to the Norwegian SS in block north of our house. The little Gustafson girl, Phyllis and another little girl, two Weaver boys, Paul W. Robt Johnson, Magnus, Ches, and myself were there. In the evening, Mrs. Iverson, Catherina, Mr. and Mrs. Williams and myself were there. The couple knew you from Moody’s and also Chester was there. Science teacher in Schurz – A Mothers Day card just came from Lottie Johnson Root. She wrote she would never forget what I did for her after her mother died. This is surely wonderful. So few have ever returned any such gratefulness, I think how much I did for Grey, and she came Easter for money. The Home sent me that I paid to keep her policies in force. She said they got $600 for her entrance fee and that the insurance was hers. I told her I paid 85.80 but she thought I should give her that.

I think the Kopps wanted it as she stayed there a great deal, but they never paid her insurance. Xenia has finished moving back to the farm. She is having Alice Jane and Clarence’s Helen to help her when vacation begins. I found the door partially opened in the garage. It was pushed or slid back about five inches. Chester had put a small padlock on it but it had been forced open. Catherina twice chased boys off the roof on Sunday night. I am going to put on a new roof of asphalt on the house as big pieces of tar paper have blown off—mostly on south side near front. I got a check for $100 from a bond I thought would never pay up. I saw in the paper that all those old bonds are to be looked after by the government and some restitution was to be made on them to those of us who lost them. Hope so. Thanks for the compliment above Mrs. Roosevelt. After all I only have done what I could, and I am proud of what the Lord has blest, my trust in Him. Yes, you were only 6 years old when Papa went home to glory, a dear little baby boy. It only seems like a dream but God helped me in my distress and answered my prayers. You early found the Lord as your Savior and repaid me by your love, help, & faithfulness, especially when the home was so badly disrupted by Catherina & the Peter Bilhorns. I am so glad you can be of some service in upholding the gospel. The Chaplain’s advice is good — “All things work together for good, to them that love the Lord.” I saw Billie Ronney and he promised to come to S. School Sunday. Bill Courtney was with him. I have not seen Chester all week. Maybe they went to Hillsdale . Xenia was hoping to come over a little while on Sunday. Trust you do not get the measles as it often leads to Scarlet fever. I am sorry I did not find time to make some cookies but will probably next week – It is very cold here and I have to keep the fires still going – my tulips are not in bloom yet. I am so glad you are praying and thinking about our dear little Church. I can’t do much else either until the weather warms up. Must close – Your loving mother.

M.B.