My mother was one of seven children, all of whom were raised on a farm in the early 1900s. Mother was the oldest and had to work very hard in the fields, in addition to playing the part of a second mother to the other children. Her parents had been introduced to Christian Science, and during the first eight years of her life they endeavored to practice it to a degree. Although no one in the family continued the study of Christian Science at that time, my mother never forgot what she had learned of God from her parents.
Mother married when she was young to get away from the burdens of her childhood, and she gave birth to my brother and me in the early years of her marriage. The births were difficult, but she had the prayerful help of a Christian Science practitioner and all went harmoniously. Later in her life Mother was healed of chronic smoking, asthma, and pneumonia, each time through the healing work of a dedicated practitioner. My brother also was healed of acute asthmatic attacks.
When we reached our teens, Mom and Dad divorced, and Mother had to support us on her own. That is when she really began an earnest study of Science. She joined a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, and enrolled us in the Sunday School.
