Forgive me for my seeming procrastinating. Taint so. There are days are such that I cannot do much. I thank you so very much, you will never know, how I have loved your letters. I am so thrilled about your Hebrew. I heard Dann Thomas sing (chant) Kohl Nidhr. It was beautiful.
Please buy the $7.00 record for me to give to Gladys. We did that last year and she loved it. I will send you a check the first of next week including tax and postage. I am so thrilled about your teaching, and so is your mother. She came in to show me a doll she had brought for Becky from Disney Land.
It seems too bad to start out with asking you to forgive me, but I must. First I want to thank you two darlings for the dear little spinning wheele. I just adore it, and please accept my belated thanks. I just love it.
At the time of my birthday, Aug. 4th, we had a heat wave to end all heat waves. Back in the old days in Mattoon we used to have much higher temperatures, but I guess this was the first time I have been 75 years old, and I did “suffer with the heat” this year. Then, I have had company, you know the woman I told you about who is a real democrat, my husband’s cousin. Then I had another, my own cousin, who is one of the few relatives I have left, and she became ill while here, and I had to employ a man and wife to take her home. She lives in Pekin, Ill. and is a friend of Everet Dirkson. I have been having a little more than I am able to cope with.
I want you to know how much I did appreciate your two letters David, more than I can say. You and Bonnie are very dear to me, and I hope you will forgive me for not writing to you.
David, you have always been a bright spot in my life, and I miss you this summer. I am so thankful you have your dear Bonnie.
I find it hard to sit in a straight chair to write letters. I had Harold take me to Dr. Curtis this afternoon to have my glasses adjusted.
I feel the same as you do David, about Goldwater, but it hurts me to have you cast your first vote for a dem., but I can’t blame you. This time I am thankful that I have lost my right to vote. Please forgive my poor typing, my hands are very crippled. I am so confused about the political situation; I don’t know what is right.
I would love to hear from you when you have time, and please I want you and Bonnie to know how much it means to me to hear from you.
Please, please, forgive your delinquent Grandma. I loved your letter, and have read it many times and while I cannot comment on all you have told me, I appreciate every word of it. I am so very happy that you are on the Dean’s list and your Mom and Dad will be there next May.
I had a nice letter from Bonnie about the book, but David, I am so thrilled about the work you are doing. I hope you will let me know about the Boston School of Theology.
I did not go to the hospital, but I have not been at all well, and the simple mechanics of living have taken all I could do. I can prepare what little food I eat, and keep myself reasonably well groomed, and of course I have to have help to clean my apartment and I do not get out except to get over to Mildred to get my hair done.
I have been in a sort of lethargy, and don’t seem to have strength enough to write letters or do so many things I used to do. When your Dad gets home we will check on me.
I had Doris take me down to see Dr. Stahl about my hip, and he said there was nothing he could find that would be causing unusual pain, which I had been having, except of course, advancing arthritis.
I am so proud of you and the work you are doing, and am very happy about your moving into Dr. King’s residence. It must be a very nice thing for both of you. I should think they would be very happy to have you a part of their household. I am sure the home cooking is a pleasant change for you. I suppose Bonnie is back in Bloomington by now.
I have had some very interesting cards from your mother. The last one was enroute to Jerusalem. I wonder if they were not in Athens at the time of King Paul’s funeral. The pictures they will bring home will be something to see. She said they had been able to buy more film.
Please forgive my seeming delay, it was not from the heart, I will be so anxious to hear about Boston School.
Dearest love to you and Bonnie
Grandma
March 18, 1964, p. 2
(over) David, You will probably get this on Sat. March 21st, which will be my 50th wedding anniversary. I was married on Sat. afternoon, March 21, 1914. I hope you and Bonnie may spend your 50th together.
Dave Dear – Thank you for sending the album. Talked to your mother yesterday. She tells me you [are] just slightly busy. We are having real jingle bells weather which means I am housebound. I do hope all goes well with you and Bonnie on your journey.
David, My Dear: I am getting this ready to give to the postman on his rounds in the morning, the only way I have of mailing letters now. I am so glad to be able to tell you that the hotel is sold. Harold Funk bought it, and is taking Dick Ryan in as a partner to run it for him. I think they plan some changes. They will take over on Oct. 1st. I have been filling in at the office now and then. Probably this Sat. for the last time. It seems queer not to be in business after almost 50 years, but good.
September 20, 1963, p. 2
[page 2] I hope you are not completely swooned after all your activities and will be able to settle down to a more routine way now, although I realize how little time you will have.
Your mother stopped in a few minutes a few days ago. I will be anxious to hear all about you but don’t worry about writing when you don’t have time. I understand.
I will be thinking of you on your 21st birthday, and wish I could bake you a cake. It is a history making day for you. Give my love to Bonnie
I hope things are going well with you during your last lap of school year, and that you are enjoying it. Your mother was in several days ago and brought me a copy of LIFE which published your letter. Hurray for you, how true and well put. Hurray for you, how true and well put. I’m proud of you. I do not get LIFE and therefore did not read the letter on which you commented, but I had read about her and her activities in other publications. Her children are to be pity and I hope they are able to think for themselves when they grow up.
Your mother also told me about your trip to Indianapolis with Bonnie, and I had good report on Bonnie also. When she comes home with you I shall look forward to meeting her.
The deal which was hanging in the balance regarding sale of the hotel has not come through and things seem at a standstill. Also Pronger has been very slow in getting the apartment ready, but I am going into it as soon as it is finished, whether the hotel is sold by then or not.
We are having summer today, and I hope it remains so there will be no more big fuel bills. There will be one for April, certainly, it was so cold most of the time.
By for now
Love
Grandma
Editorial letter in Life Magazine (May 3, 1963, p. 21)
Please know how I appreciate the two good letters I have had from you since I have written, and I started to write you yesterday, and then thought I would wait until this morning and see if a letter came from you, as they usually arrive on Tuesday morning.
First I want to explain why I have not written. I have really been going through a turning point in my life. I have been in a state of very deep depression for the past several weeks, and simply have not been able to carry on the normal activities. I have decided to make a serious effort to sell the hotel as soon as possible. Harold agrees with me in this and is going to help me carry it out. This has been my home for the past nineteen years and at my age it will be hard to pull up the roots in view of my handicap, but I feel that I must do it.
I have now placed my affairs in God’s hands, and I know that His law of love and justice will take care of me, since I have done all that I can do to help myself. I know you share my belief in a personal God who cares for us.
When I watched the appearance of Nixon on TV I hoped all the time that you also were watching. I was delighted, and you know, I believe if he had displayed that side of his personality during the campaign he would now be president. However, I can well understand how it is impossible to be one’s own self when trying to please so many difference factions. I thought he was charming. I am anxious to know if you and Bonnie got to see Sen. Goldwater and what your reaction was.
It must have been thrilling to talk with Bishop Raines. You have the opportunity now to meet and know so many worthwhile people, which is an education in itself and helps to build your own personality and character, and I am sure they all feel it is very worthwhile to know a young man like you.
I am glad to hear you did well in your test on history of the reformation. And I must say that the only real laugh I have had in some time was to imagine YOU as a Catholic priest doing the twist with an angel. Really, I flipped.
March 19, 1963, p. 2
[page 2] While your mother had the children here she was in for a few minutes with Becky one afternoon, and a few days later she brought Kirk in to see me. David, he is the sweetest baby, just beautiful and so good. I told your mother I was so happy for her because he is such a wonderful baby. She said he did not even require a feeding during the night, but slept right through.
I will close now and I will write you next week or sooner if I have any news. Your letters always give me a lift and I thank you for taking the time to write me when you are so very busy.
Genealogy Lady 