May 24, 1951

Box 653 [They didn't yet have mail delivery at the house!]

Loma Linda, Calif.

May 24, 1951

Dearest Mother and Daddy,

Here it is a whole week since we left. In lots of ways it seems longer than that, and in other ways the time has surely flown.

It was so wonderful to talk to you last Sunday. We were going to call before that, but something would come up that it would make it too late before we got to it, and we didn't want to get you so excited that you couldn't go to sleep. We were so glad to know for sure that you were better, Mother, and we have been praying that God would give you both the strength you need to get the children [her brother Paul's children, Norma and Lawrence, who had been staying with their grandparents -- Paul and his wife, Retha, were in the Far East, in Japan at that time, I think] ready to leave. It hardly seems possible that they will really be going next Sunday or Monday. Which airport will they take off from in L.A.?

We are getting along just wonderfully. Benton has worked only a day and a half, so we are still having our honeymoon, only now he thinks I am a pretty good cook -- better than he expected, he says. I really haven't done anything very fancy yet, but I do get around better all of the time. You'd laugh to see me sitting on the stool by the stove mashing the potatoes or trying to get something flavored right. He helps me a lot. He is about as near perfect as they come. He surely is a wonderful husband. It seems as if we are happier every day.

I had forgotten that I knew so many people here in Loma Linda. Just about everyone had heard about us, and they all seem very happy about it. The neighbors around are just as nice as Benton said they were. We got here about 9:30 Thursday night; and while we were still unpacking, the three ladies from across the street came over to congratulate us and wish us happiness. They are really lovely. One of them teaches the 6th grade, another is the librarian at the Academy, and the other is Fern Millard's mother. They are very lovely. Next to them across the street are a couple who were pioneer missionaries in Manchuria -- the Petersens. They came over to wish us happiness and brought us two lovely towels and wash cloths. Down the street from them are two Miss Scotts -- sisters of Howard Lee's wife -- the Howard Lee's were teaching at CJC when I was. He is Frederick Lee's brother. One of them came yesterday and brought us a can of peaches and three cans or glasses of jelly, and the other brought a nice bouquet of Canterbury bells.

The people that live in our apartments are nice too. Upstairs is one of Benton's classmates and her husband, and downstairs is a young couple with a cute baby 6 months old. She is Dr. Ward's nurse, and he is taking pre-med at La Sierra. He worked as an orderly at the San [the Loma Linda Sanitarium and Hospital, as it was then known] when I was in the hospital and came in a time or two to help turn me. They are nice too.

Friday we went to the Loma Linda Market to get something to eat and met everyone and his brother. Elder Pease was there and asked about you folks. Then we went to see Monty's wife for a couple of minutes and then to see Mary and Dick Runnels and their cherub. That night Mary and Mrs. Zerne, the supervisor on surgical floor, came to see us, and Mary invited us to her house for Sabbath dinner.

We went to the Hill church Sabbath so that I wouldn't have to climb a lot of steps and saw quite a few people there that we knew. When we got the mail after church, there was a card from Cecelia saying that May 6 she had had her appendix out and wishing that we could come to see her. We went that afternoon and stayed for an organ program -- Alexander Schreiner from Salt Lake City Tabernacle played. That was a big day for both of us, but we survived and resolved not to do it too often. Sunday night we went to the capping at the Hill church -- 20 got their caps. It was really inspirational, but guess I'll have to be satisfied to be married to a nurse instead of being one myself.

The other night Mr. and Mrs. Spear came to see us. He is a nurse -- the one who used to special a man across the hall from me when I was in 111. They are nice people. Monday night we went up to the hospital to see Mrs. MacQuarrie. She is the one who wanted me to be her guest in the hospital for one day and gave me a check for $15.00. She is back in to have her colostomy closed -- was supposed to have surgery Wednesday morning. She was pleased to see us -- said she suspected something. She had it all figured out that Benton came at first in sympathy, and then with other intentions. She put it so sweetly. She was happy for both of us. We took her some roses.

Yesterday Mrs. Ward and Lavaun came and left us a card with a $10 bill in it. Wasn't that sweet of them? They wanted to know about you folks. They are moving into a place about 5 miles the other side of Redlands -- I think it is Dr. Carlisle's place. They will have a swimming pool, and invited us out sometime.

Everyone has been wonderful to us, but we don't get much work done. I have about a dozen thank-you notes written out of the 70 that must be taken care of. Gradually I'm getting them finished. I don't do much else except get meals, and Benton gets what little breakfast we eat. He declares he is happy with fruit and several kinds of dry cereal. Whenever I get tired or sleepy, I just go to sleep -- talk about a life of leisure! Anyway, we are glad we did it -- we both think the other one is better than we expected even; and as far as we feel, it seems that there isn't even very much difference in our ages.

Yesterday we got your letter and the syringe. The postcard came Monday, I think. Benton wants to thank Norma for her letter too. It came day before yesterday, I think. Thanks for sending on Willetta William's card. She didn't give me any address so that I can answer it. Maybe she will write again.

It surely will seem lonesome without the kidlets. Give them our love. We wish we could see them off. Lawrence must be really thrilled with his clarinet. I'd love to hear him play it.

You should see our lovely flowers. Today Benton picked our first gladiola -- a lovely white one. We have all kinds of roses, sweet peas, pansies, snap dragons, peonies, carnations, and just about everything. Last night I climbed the hill to look at the garden and trees. You must come to see us sometime.

Well, I guess I'd better stop and get my husband some dinner. He surely isn't very hard to cook for.

We both send love. Do take care of your sweet selves. We don't want anything to happen to you.

Lovingly,

Lois Ruth and Benton