Breadth of Understanding…

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Family, Personal Stories

Dear Family and Friends,

Ever since my father-in-law’s passing on October 31st, my husband has been sorting through his dad’s belongings. A job only he can do to know what should be kept. His dad was very organized, not only with important documents, but also with precious keepsakes. One item that my hubby found was a recipe card written by his mom, Mable, in the mid 50s to her son, Wil, who she called Billy. A card that offered sage advice for living a good life.

In case the card is hard to read:

First thing in A.M. drink 1 pint which is two cups of hot water every morning. It is more necessary than washing your face.
Later drink a glass of fruit juice.
Eat something ‘alive’ not cooked each day. Celery or apples, or oranges, or grapes. Eat them while they are on the market and in good shape. “Life makes life”, eat them fresh and alive, all the fruits that you can. “Cooked or canned are dead and cannot make you a live body.”
Cut the sandwiches out if at all possible. A couple of bananas and a pound of grapes with an apple or orange will hold you for a long time.
Drink more and more water! The body needs it just as much if not more than too much food.
Don’t forget your twisting exercises and the ‘Stand at Attention’ exercise to strengthen your muscles. You don’t want to be a hnch back at 40, so stand straight and tall. Get on the bars and swing every chance you get.
How is golf? Better get going before Phil (his brother) writes for his clubs! “Make hay while the sun shines!”
Please carry this card where you will read it once at least – once a day – until you do what it says to do!
Happy Days to you, MEMS (her loving acronym).

Mable at 85 with her sons (my FIL on the right).


Wil carried this advice from his mother each day, and he knew that she didn’t write the card to preach. But she was a woman born in 1889, and her intellect was beyond her years. She was intelligent, independent, believed in Astrology, an independent health care worker who believed in taking care of our bodies and minds. She advocated for eating right and nurturing mental health. She may have been delicate and petite, but she was strong in character and mind. She lived to be 90!

We found special letters Mable wrote to Billy, along with this special card. And we know there will be more to come. Treasures to keep those wonderful memories company. My hubby was lucky to know all of his grandparents, except for his dad’s dad who passed away when his dad was very young. I only knew my dad’s mom, and even then, I was young when she passed, so my memories are vague. We’re grateful that our daughter and son had the chance to spend time with their grandparents, except again, with my hubby’s mom who passed away before they were born.

Conversations with our parents who have lived, experienced, and endured so much brought knowledge and a breadth of understanding.

I’ll end with her profound words again, “Life makes life – cooked or canned are dead and cannot make you a live body.”

As we enter into the holiday season where treats are abundant, remember Mable’s words. Wil used to also say, “Everything in moderation and always keep moving.”
She lived to be 90, and He lived to be 100, so there must be truth to these words!

Happy December!
~Lauren ❤️

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

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87 thoughts on “Breadth of Understanding…”

  3. True Lauren, wise words to keep with you. And very nice to share them with us too.
    It’s quite hard sometimes to go through all these memories but so nice at the same time.
    Sending you love and wishing you a nice weekend.

    1. Thanks for your beautiful words, Marie. You’re right, going through the belongings isn’t easy, but when keepsakes like this one is found, it’s truly rewarding and so good to learn new things. Lots of love to you too and have a good weekend. Hugs ❤️

  6. Oh wow Lauren, this is a priceless artifact. This is advice for life and survival. It’s so special when you find things like that. It is a treasure and a gift that is priceless. Thanks a million for sharing this advice with us! 😊🙏🏽🤗

  8. Oh I so loved this nugget of a find Lauren…. So true were her wise words.. Eating Live food and plenty of water and exercise…
    I could do with a little more exercise now winter is upon us and the garden more or less put to bed.. LOL..

    Loved that you shared this and yes to cherish our grandparents and the history.. While I came from a large family.. We lose so much if we do not ask or look into our own heritage and history…. So many stories are lost..

    Sending Love and Blessings dear Lauren xx ❤

    1. Thanks for your wonderful comment, Sue. And yes, the history learned from grandparents is so special and profound. I wish I had known mine. We eat lots of fresh food and drinking water is easy, but I could get more exercise too. I’ve slacked off because of my foot issue and I can feel the difference. I just can’t power walk like I used to. But I did better last month on the bike and hope to continue. We just feel better when we get more exercise. Sending lots of love your way and enjoy your weekend. 🩷❄️

    1. I didn’t know her, but from what I heard, she really was quite a woman, Liz. This card is special and we’ve also found handwritten letters that she wrote to my FIL and his brother. Very special and I’m so glad you enjoyed this. 💕

  14. It’s easy to see the love she had for her son in these little pearls o’ wisdom, and it’s really cool that your father-in-law held onto this index card until the end of his days. Now it’s blessing you and your husband. These connections throughout the generations can be so strong and pure sometimes, and it’s a wonderful way to keep these memories of loved ones alive. Thanks for sharing this with us, Lauren.

    PS — I wonder if Phil ever got his golf clubs back? 😀

    1. We’re finding more of these special keepsakes which makes going through his belongings a little easier. Handwritten letters too. Imagine no computers. 🙂 I don’t know if Phil got his golf clubs back, but I’m sure he did. 🙂 He was a wonderful man too. Uncle Phil and Aunt Rachel – they passed years ago. Wil was the last of the last, we’ve said, because he surpassed just about everyone in his life regarding his brother and friends. Thanks for your kind comment, Mike, and I’m glad you enjoyed this nugget of our family history. I hope your weekend is peaceful. ❤️

  15. What splendid advice to carry with oneself in life, especially the advice on reading the card over and over until one knows it by heart. That is a splendid way to make something stick. 🥰

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed this bit of our family history, Layla. It amazed us that Mable wrote this in the 50s to her son and he kept it all these years. We’ve found more treasures which is so special. Have a good weekend! 🩷

  17. Thanks, Lauren, for sharing Mable’s recipe for living a long, healthy life! <3.
    I loved the part that drinking 2 cups of warm water in the morning is more important than washing your face. 🙂

    1. When I read that part, Carol, I thought, well, that’s not something that I’d probably do. I drink a lot of water during the day and wash my face though. 🙂 Thanks for reading and I’m glad you enjoyed this bit of family history. 💞

      1. When my father died and we were cleaning out the house ready for sale I came across a case full of letters I’d written home over thirty years in Asia each week. It was so interesting to go through those letters and read of travels and events experienced over that time I’d forgotten so I was able to more accurately record these events into my history.

  24. Oh how I love this treasure. What a wise woman, life makes life, precious and true. Thanks for sharing this sweet note with all of us Lauren. I’m completely humbled. Hugs, C

  25. My Dad lived to 95.
    He would drink a bottle of red wine with
    dinner, and devour a box of chocolates
    for dessert. If only he had listened to the
    wisdom of his mother. I’m sure she must
    have told him to cut out the cigarettes 🚬

    1. He lived a long life for drinking a bottle each night and devouring a box of chocolates! My mom lived to 90 and Dad to 97, and they enjoyed their 2-martini cocktail hour each night for decades, and they smoked for a long time until she had a heart attack at 75 with bypass surgery following, so the doc told her to stop. So they did, and she lived another 15 years. Dad lived another 5. My dad always said that it was the olive in the martini that gave them a long life. He had a sense of humor. 🙂

      1. Love is a key ingredient ❤️
        as happiness prolongs life 🥂
        and laughing is good for your health.
        Having good genes 🧬 doesn’t hurt,
        either. So it sounds like you’ll be
        alright in the longevity department 😎👍

      2. I agree with all you said, and I hope so. 🙂 My father-in-law passed on Halloween and he reached 100! And he still had his mind. So he surpassed them all, and now they are all gone. 😦 But together again! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, David.

  27. That is some sound advice!
    As a veggie my whole life, I’ve got the “live” food thing down.
    Water and posture are why I need this note.
    Thanks Mems! …. and Lauren! xoxo💖

  30. “Life makes life – cooked or canned are dead and cannot make you a live body.”

    Even for me, this advice stood out. Thanks for sharing something so close to your heart and to your family. 😊

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