May 30, 1951

Box 673

Loma Linda, California

May 30, 1951

Dearest Mother and Daddy,

I've been so busy trying to get my thank-you notes written that it looks as if I have neglected my own mother and daddy. And I still have a lot more of them to write -- 36 more for the gifts received in Phoenix, then I have to start on those for the gifts received here.

Yes, they had a surprise shower for us last Sunday night. Benton was working, but when he came home for supper, the crowd gathered. They had made arrangements with his patient and his patient's family so that he could stay beyond his half hour supper time. We got a lovely floor lamp, a tablecloth, a couple of tidbit trays, a couple of potted plants in these fancy pots, a fancy marmalade dish and cover and spoon, a set of "his and hers" towels, and a fancy flat vase with a little fawn in the middle of it. That I have filled with flowers now -- carnations and roses that I picked yesterday. They had a nice little program and wished us happiness. It surely was nice of them. People around here surely think Benton is a pretty nice fellow, but they don't know the half of it. He is really wonderful. I was afraid that perhaps people might resent me, but they don't seem to. Everyone has been very lovely.

Last Friday we went to see Dr. Nickel. He had said that he would like to see me. He was very nice, as usual. He said that the reason I waddle is that my quadriceps are weak, and he gave me some simple exercises to strengthen them. That will help my joints too, he said. He said that they wanted to do a bone graft when they put the plate in, but they didn't think I could stand it then. He said that I could come in to see him any time when he is here and ask him any questions that might pop up. He surely was nice -- acted glad to see me.

Sabbath we went to the college church, then Benton had to go to work in the afternoon. Toward evening Bob and Irene McEachren, who used to live in Benton's apartment, and whom I knew at CJC [the college in Alberta, Canada, where Mom had taught and where she first met my sister and my dad's family], came over. They are in LA now where he is a junior medical student. They seemed to be very happy for us.

Then Sunday night was quite an occasion. Mrs. Simon, the assistant dean of girls, told me that the news of our marriage made her happier than that of any other. Everyone was so nice.

Monday morning we did a huge washing. Benton showed me how to work the machine -- it is an Easy with a spin drier. My, but it works lovely! I'm already sold on it -- wishy you could have one, Mother. Benton hung up all the clothes, and did a lot of the rest of the work, too.

Monday evening a call came from a new hospital near Beaumont for Benton to take care of an accident case. He thought that he would be off his case at the San in a day or two, so said he would take it. Then he discovered that his patient here at the San was going to surgery again. That means he is working double shift, and I don't like it at all! However, we hope it won't be for long. He says the work isn't hard -- could have done all the work on both shifts in about two hours yesterday. He gets a little sleep on duty, so that makes it not quite so bad. But it seems as if I never get to see him at all any more, and don't like that a bit!

The last few days I have been trying to get a cold -- why, I don't know, as I have been getting plenty of rest. However, I've been taking antihistamine, and it hasn't been too bad. We don't get to bed until 11:30 now, then Benton gets up at 5. I wake up then, and we have worship before he goes, then I go to sleep again. This morning I slept until nearly 11! I sort of baby myself -- just stop when I get tired.

Yesterday, I thought it would be a good idea to get outside, so spent about a half hour out picking flowers. Today I watered quite a bit in the flower beds and sat outside and wrote a couple of thank-you notes.

Keyes [Mrs. Keyes was the other woman who was injured in The Accident] were here today -- she was on her way to see her doctor. He has fixed her up pretty well. They said that Lloyd [Mom's sister's widower] was planning to come down June 15 for a few days to try to sell his house. They also said that the lawyer had said that our case might not come up until next Spring!

I really felt guilty today when your second letter came since I had written. Your other letter with the kids' [Norma and Lawrence, Mom's niece and nephew] schedule in it came Sabbath. I would have loved to be at Inglewood to see the kids, but Benton was working. Then too, it was pretty late -- we wouldn't have got home until after one o'clock Monday morning.

Mother, I'm so sorry you have been sick again. Maybe now that things have calmed down, you will have a chance to start feeling better again. I wish that there were something that I could do. At least you have that syringe, and that is a comfort.

Last Friday I made my first cake -- made it with a Betty Crocker cake mix, but think I must have beat it too much, as it had a few holes in it. Anyway, it tasted good. I used the Mixmaster, and didn't know exactly how it worked. I'll know better next time. I think I may get up courage enough to try a regular cake with a recipe -- have to get in practice so that I can make one for our son's [Omar] birthday July 4!

While Keyes were here, we got to talking about Lloyd and the present set-up. They, too, think he should remarry -- and MK[edited for privacy] was the one they had picked out! Harold thinks he may kid Lloyd a little when he is down and tell him he should get on the ball and ask MK. We thought he might take it from Harold better than from anyone else. And you know how slow Lloyd can move when it comes to such things. Karyl told Charlie Keyes that she didn't like the set-up too well, or something of that idea. Poor little kids [Mom's dead sister's kids] -- it has been pretty hard on them too. Probably Cherie minds it the least of all of them because she was too little to remember much.

This country surely isn't so hot as Phoenix. Tonight it is really chilly, though it was warm and sunny today.

Our pictures came back, and they are really pretty good -- those, that is, that we took. We haven't seen them on a [slide] projector yet. When Benton gets off his p.m. shift, we'll go visit the Sieberts and get a look a them. They are the people who lent us the camera, and they have a projector. They are a nice young couple -- younger than I -- and have a darling little youngster not quite 2 yet, but taking everything -- a smart little tyke. She is a physical therapist, so if I get in a jam for that kind of professional advice and muscle training, she would know just what to do.

Well, it looks as if that is about all the news. Do try to take care of yourselves, and don't worry about anything. We love you and pray for you every day.

Lots of love from both of us to both of you,

(signed) Lois Ruth and Benton