The Autobiography of Ruth Tagg Caley

also prayed that when it was time for baby to come that John would be near to take me to thehospital. I thought all the time it might be a girl, as I was good at guessing. On the 28 thNovember the neighbors came and visited me, John was at work. They asked how I felt and saidthis is your day to go to the hospital isn't it? They were quite concerned. They asked me if I hadany signs yet. They stayed until two o'clock in the afternoon. I only had a slight twitchingmovement all day. Never any stronger or weaker. They said you better call your doctor. I saidwhat for, not time yet. They thought I was not too concerned. I cooked the evening meal in caseand had my bath. Nothing more happened.I knew I had to wait as I had prayed John would be home. We lived six miles or morefrom Provo and how could I get there without transportation. John got home from work at fourthirty. I told him maybe we ought to tell the doctor how I felt, but still no pain. Well, we wentover to the hospital and I sat and looked at funny papers while they got my room ready. Theysaid maybe I ought to stay even if I had no pain. They called the doctor and I talked to him. Hesaid it will be a long time yet, and he had another case to take care of. If I needed him, thehospital would call him. So he got as far as the front door, and they called him back. My babywas into the world in a rush.I never had any pain before, or after. I never saw anything like it. The Lord had heard myprayers and gave me strength in my time of need. It was Sunday and I had a lovely healthy babygirl. I remember the story that used to come over radio "Our Gal Sunday." Well when I lookedat my baby that went through my mind. “Sunday” I smiled to myself. I shall never forget the dayshe came. John had her name already chosen, "Esther." I thought about the doctor who said he'dfind her a home if I didn't want her. I can't imagine anyone ever giving her baby away. But theydo.The four kept me pretty busy. I can't remember ever having one night to sleep allthrough. I always slept with one eye open and one foot on the floor, and a flash light under mypillow.John and I never planned on things ahead too much like vacations. I said I hateddisappointments. We used up all our time and income on trying to keep up with everyday living.Even at that we didn't have any luxuries. When Esther was nineteen mounts old, however, Idecided we should take our children up to see their grandmother. (My mother) She was agingand I wanted to see her too. We went by car and the children were car sick. But we were gladwe went as that was the only vacation we ever had together, John and I in twenty seven years ofour married life. We often came from Orem to Salt Lake with fruit or took short trips near home.When our oldest girl Winifred was ten years old she came home with the school nursewith a rash on the back of her neck. The nurse said keep her home until next Monday. By thenshe will be able to come back if it isn't serious. By Monday she was o.k. and the nurse let her goback. But John who was seven or eight years old now, said he didn't feel good. I put him to bedand in two days he was o.k. again after a slight sore throat. Three weeks went by and WinifredRuth Tagg Caley pg 37