Letter transcription:
MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
4-19-43
Dear Daddy – Monday morn and no letters – but got five Fri & Sat – and one I had been looking for – about the yard. (Mar 25 & 26 – Apr 4-5-6) We spaded up more flower beds, but the space between the garage & tree was a run way for the children and that kept the grass from growing so I decided to do something about it. I wanted to work out in the yard today but so far it is cloudy & cool. When it is warm I put D. in his buggy and I can go outside and work but don’t like to leave him inside alone. I’ll be glad when Mother gets back so I can dash out when I want to. We took a long walk yesterday – it was so nice out – We made several calls, stopped at Plummers but Mrs. P. was in bed with a touch of flu – coming home to this chilly weather gave them both colds – so we didn’t stay long there. We called on Jimmy Ed – I wish you could do something for him – his skin is like sand paper and the back of his head is a mass of dry scales – his red hair (and he had so much) is all gone in the back. Lucile said they were thinking about going to someone else with him but Dr. M. thinks when he gets old enough to take foods other than milk he will get better. Dr. M. changed him to lactic acid sometime ago but it doesn’t seem to do much good. Mrs. Zell, Lucile & I went to an Easter Cantata at the Methodist last nite. J. & M. stayed with D., but he sleeps so they weren’t bothered with him. I must send Wilma a graduation gift. She is going into nurses training at the union.
Love Mother
Yegerlehner home, E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, circa 1943
©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/04/25/monday-morning-gladys-3/
Genealogy Lady 
“the space between the garage & tree was a run way for the children….” I think I remember that “runway.”
By the time I knew Jimmy Ed, I think he had pretty much outgrown the rash problem, because I don’t recall that at all.
Since I too saw mother’s life go downhill and end in such a pitiful way, it is nice to read these letters written in the prime of her life.
Sometimes when I read Gladys’ letters I feel like I’m reading about my own life because our families are so similar. I often leave my baby with my two older boys but he is usually sleeping and they just need to be there doing their own thing. I also prefer to do things like yardwork when someone else can be responsible for him. I love to feel that connection to people whose lives in many ways are different, it’s a good reminder that despite how much the world has changed, human nature and family experiences are very much the same.
I couldn’t agree more. I love being able to relate to her on this level. I didn’t have children when she died, and she was pretty much gone from the Alzheimer’s for a few years before that. I love being able to picture her as a young woman, at the same stage of life, basically, as I am now.