1914. From Mother to Daughter
July 27, 1914. From Mother to daughter
In the summer of 1914, as Europe edged toward war, a mother writes to her daughter with reassuring words after a worrying illness. What follows is a candid account of fever, family care, and the simple concern of whether she’d be allowed to climb mountains again.
Dear Grace,
Don’t be alarmed, yes, I have been sick, but I am getting better now. I won’t hear to it, that it was Riverside that caused it. I came home feeling so well, Friday evening I wrote a miserable letter to you, because I was so sleepy – that was all.
The first one I tore up. Sat morning I woke up feeling miserable, I went downstairs and tried to show it off. Got the breakfast, and gathered Waldron’s vegetables. Then I seemed to give up, and sort of collapsed. Had some chills and finally a painin my left side. They got me to bed and I was willing to stay there. I just slept ad slept.
Finally, I discovered Dr. Mosher standing by me. My temperature was 102. He went away and came back later, and I was 101. And father and that doctor say it was due to my mountain – climb. Doctor syas I am not to go up anymore “light houses”, he calls them. O dear I suppose they will never let me go again.
Well nevermind I did enjoy my trip and visit so much, and I assure you I felt well after my climb, and after I got home. Sun I was in bed and on the couch all day, sleeping most of the time. This morn I woke up feeling better but I don’t want to go downstairs yet, not to Atlantic City until later.
Mr. Bailey telephoned today for us to go for an automobile ride. Mrs. Van Zant and Alice are both on hand, and do very well. Alice was here the most of Sun too. I am not worrying, I have had ice cream and today my dinner tasted good. I made up my mind, if I really needed a nurse, I would have one. Father is a good nurse, and Alice and I’ll soon be around.
My sitting room looks good to me. I am glad Mary Van Eck is baptized. I thought only God mothers were in the Catholic church. In our church the father holds the child and the mother stands by his side.
Love to all. I am too tired to write more.
Mother