HELEN LEATHERBEE MARTIN recorded several hundred essays in the years 1954 to 1963. The name of her Spirit Guide and teacher, Kai, was noted on each of the writings. The first book, Gifts from Spirit covers the years 1954 and much of 1955. Book 2, Inner Light, spans late 1955 into early 1957. The Builder Within, Book 3, covers early 1957 to mid-1959. This fourth book contains spirit messages from mid-1959 through completion in 1963. Helen, a Spiritualist, gave full credit to Kai, believing that she was merely the instrument for his teachings.
In 1951, just after my sister Marilyn was married, Helen and Fred were off to Bermuda. It was to be the first of many fun-filled vacations outside the country. The couple travelled extensively in the Caribbean, always returning with glowing accounts of colorful flowers, catchy music, exotic food, walks on beautiful beaches and new friends they had met. Fred bought a movie camera and took dizzying films of each trip.
In the fall of 1967, they flew to Ireland and Scotland with Helen’s sister Doris and husband Ray Jessen, then travelled to England where they separated. In Ireland, they saw many sites, including the medieval Bunratty Castle, near Limerick, visited Killarney, but declined to kiss the Blarney Stone and rode a jaunting cart. The two couples enjoyed each others’ company and had many a laugh together, particularly when Doris was descending a jaunting cart and her coat caught on a hook leaving her feet dangling and her head inside the coat. “I about collapsed laughing and so did Fred.” wrote Helen. While in Ireland, they also saw a play at the famous Abbey Theatre and, one afternoon, while the men played golf, Helen and Doris shopped, something they did whenever possible.
In her diary of their trip, Helen spoke often of the lovely scenery in all three countries. She also spoke glowingly of Edinburgh and Glamis Castles, Loch Lomond and the Trossacks. Then they were off to England by train.
After London, they decided on a tour of the beautiful countryside where they were the only Americans on the bus. The English were friendly and Fred made friends easily. Helen, although more reserved, was always energized by her husband’s gregarious nature and quickly joined in the fun. It was a happy trip that included names familiar to New Englanders -- Plymouth, Barnstable, Brighton and Taunton. Returning once more to London, it would seem, from reading her diary, they saw all the sights, arriving back at their hotel each night footsore and weary, but content.
It was one of Helen’s dreams to cross the Atlantic by ship and so arrangements were made to return to New York on the Cunard Lines’ Queen Elizabeth. As sometimes happens, dreams don’t always turn out as expected. The trip began well enough, although they found the food ordinary and the Queen so large, they lost their way back to their cabin on a regular basis. By the time they’d found their way around, the seas were rough and, first Helen, then Fred were cabin-bound by seasickness. To make matters worse, the rough water kept them at sea another two days. By the time they arrived back in South Yarmouth, MA, home looked wonderful indeed.
We were glad to have them home too. Since early 1964, they had lovingly and uncomplainingly shared their home with my two young sons, Allan and Stephen, and me. They had literally rescued us from an impossible situation, and it wasn’t until Stephen began first grade in 1968, that we moved to a place of our own.
They gave my children a stable start and me the chance to begin again. To do so, particularly in the beginning, my parents gave up much of their their hard-won leisure time. I owe them far more than I could ever repay in one lifetime.
Early in 1970, at the age of 65, Helen was diagnosed with lymphoma, cancer of the lymph glands. After surgery, she continued to feel well and decided against further treatment. It wasn’t long before her doctors put on the pressure and she became less sure of her decision. “What do you think I should do?” she asked Dad and me. We felt it was her choice and told her so. Had I had more life experience, I would have known to say, “Follow your intuition.” Instead she finally buckled under the pressure when a specialist taunted her with, “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of a few little X-rays.”
Those “few little X-rays” were cobalt treatments which burned her mouth so badly that food would never taste good to her again. She began a downward slide that ended only with her death on March 4, 1973. Why was it that my Mother failed to follow the messages from Kai which clearly state that intuition is key? It’s impossible to know, but times have changed drastically in the last thirty-plus years. In the 1970’s, people rarely questioned their doctors.
My mother’s life and the way she lived it continue to influence me. The older I become the more I admire her many virtues -- love, patience, compassion, humor, honesty and strength. She also taught me, through her tragic illness, to question my doctors. My Mother gave me life and, through my memories and her writing, she continues to give me strength and comfort. Helen was inspired by her faith to record Kai’s wisdom. As her daughter, I’ve been inspired to prepare her work in book form and now in three blogs so that those who wish may benefit too.
Fran Martin (Giambarba)
Mashpee, MA 2007
