The Autobiography of Ruth Tagg Caley

For five long months Winifred was ill. The white cells out did the red so the doctor said.They took her into the Utah Valley Hospital for a while then asked us to bring her up to Salt LakeL. D. S. Hospital. One day when I went up to see her she said, “Mother, tomorrow when youcome up here, could you bring my clothes please. I'm not staying here any longer. I'm goinghome.” I told her to be patient as the doctors were trying to help her. For five long months, I hadbeen praying for her that the Lord would give her a good night sleep. He heard my prayers as shepassed away the next day at 3 p.m. in the afternoon October 1941. It was on Halloween.I was so stunned. I must have been blind to the fact that the end was so near. Was Ilosing my faith, I asked myself. Why didn't she improve. I had prayed for her to get well. ButGod knows best, and knows what’s good for us. He does not always answer our prayers the waywe think he should. He had blinded my eyes to the fact that she had to go and with blinded eyes Ihad not worried so much. I had always had hopes and told her that tomorrow would be a betterday and let us rest now.We prepared her for burial. Winifred Bentley said her lady boss Mrs. Hawley and herselfwould like to select and pay for the burial clothes as Win said it was for her little name sake. Welaid her to rest in a pretty pink nylon dress and she had her hair fixed so pretty. The funeralservices took place in the Larkin Funeral home and she was laid to rest in Wasatch Lawn. Afterthe funeral was over John R. said, "Mother, I'm the oldest now, I'll have to grow up fast to helpyou." I couldn't talk or think straight. I had hard lumps come around my heart.Only those who have lost a precious one knows the agony I was going through. Theworld does not stand still to any one, or anything and life goes on. Work had to be done, and thefamily to look after, chores to do. I had to see to it that the cow and chickens had to be takencare of when John had to be at work on afternoon shift. Each evening as I walked to the barn Icould feel some one walking just behind me. I would stop and turn around but couldn't see anyone. I said to myself "just imagination." But it was not, as I actually heard foot steps back of mecoming and going each evening. One night, long after everyone was asleep, I heard a child sayMother ---, Mother ---. I got up took Esther out of bed made her comfortable and gave her adrink, put her back to bed once againOnce again I heard Mother, Mother. I checked her again, she was asleep. I went over toeach of the others and did likewise, and went back to bed once again. I heard Mother, Mother. Igot up checked and rechecked each one again. Went back to bed as they were all asleep now.Again I heard Mother, Mother. I wondered what's the matter now, and which one? It's a puzzle.As I put my feet to the floor and was about to stand up I saw Winifred in front of me. She wascrying and unhappy. I talked to her. I asked her if she was lonesome for the children. Of courseshe didn't answer me, but soon vanished. Another time in the night she came to me very clearly.She came in the front gate and up to the door. I said, "I heard you coming, wait a minute until Iwash Esther's little face then you can visit with her.” I went for a wash cloth and when I returnedWinifred was gone. I know, she was the one that walked behind me to do the chores. You seesome of those chicks were hers.Ruth Tagg Caley pg 40