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).

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.