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Show 252 written on both sides of a scrap of paper and around the margins. Except for references to her advancing age (the first and only ones, thus placing this communication well down the time line from the others), it is so typical of what she always wrote to her grown-and-gone children that we quote it in its entirety: My darling, my beloved daughter Nellie: How I wish I could be near you with all my old time strength of body and mind. To do all that mortal strength and sacred nearness to our Father that I could encircle you in righteousness and with a healing heavenly power annihilate every weakness every ache and pain and in place give your precious lovely body perfect ease, your mortal soul the most perfect mortal comfort and heavenly happiness. If it were possible for an antiquated worn out broken body to bless and cheer and drive away every sad thought and uncomfortable feeling to the four winds. Whether this ardent mothering by Ellis throughout her life, this never letting go of her children, was really regarded by them as a virtue may never be known. The focus of her professional effort is clear: it is more economic than humanitarian. But as it is primarily for her children (at whatever age), her service must, in the final analysis, be seen as selfless. |