On October 15, 1988 Mom must have sat for several hours writing about her and Dad's families and how they had come to be where they were at the time. His health had been gradually deteriorating but they were still able to enjoy each others company and just being together at home. Here is a small part of what she wrote -
"Now we are older but not OLD!. Life seems to get better and better. Its nice to live with one you love so many years. We help each other in so many ways. In our older years we learn to have more tolerance and generosity toward each other. The thing I miss most is my MIND, so we help each other have a little bit of heaven here on earth. We must work at keeping our lives from corroding and our attitude seems to polish our outlook for good. Our portrait isn't ever finished. We work on it from day to day just to spread our influence around. Personal development is a constant thing to keep us busy.
We never retire from the Lord's work. Adversity is a great polishing agent. We have hardships, but they are part of life. By experience, I have learned from being totally infirm, depending on someone else. The accident on May 6, 1985, threw me at the total mercy of our loved ones around me. I learned so much - how to use a wheelchair and walker to get around. So, to our family, I say never give up when things get tough, just bone-up on your weaknesses and carry on, do what you can.
It isn't how old we are but how we are older. We hope we can leave our lovely, Christian family to develop as examples to their own children and be happy in Christ as we have been over the years. You are our life now and make us overflow with love for you all. Simple things are so rewarding - we live, love, absorb, observe, listen, understand, act, say something, learn, forgive, teach and always are adding something new to our lives. Knowing, growing, going and glowing. We are not a gift but an achievement living and caring for each other. Maintain a spiritual mind."
Recovering from her accident was a long, painful process because her foot and ankle were crushed and had to be re-built by the surgeon. During her long recuperation she and Dad quilted every day. He put up a large quilting frame in the living room and they spent many days together, although I feel pretty certain he did very little actual sewing. They seem to have enjoyed that time though and made some memories that sustained Mom during the long years following his death in 1991.
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