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Transcription of Letter
From
Mrs. J.R. Derbyshire
62, Friars Avenue
Delapre
Northampton
England
To
Mr John Derbyshire, Bsc.
57, North Perkins Avenue
Elmsford
New York, 10523
U.S.A.
Dec. 15th 74.
My darling Son,
Thank you for your lovely card liberally besprinkled with mother's tears.!! Hope you have a lovely time at
Xmas, good health &
happiness for 1975. We've had snow & bitterly cold winds, but its been lovely today, sunny & fresh. Next week I
am going every day to
St. Edmunds to help Jean
(Isherwood) with Out
Patient parties. She is very good to me. I went to a "Royal College of Nursing" do there last week & was
taken to dinner at the
"Bernie" afterwards. I didn't get home till 11:30 pm & Dad
was furious. I don't know what
he thought I'd been up to!! I can't sit about for ever, he won't go anywhere with me, so I have to rely on my friends
It's only once in a blue moon
anyway. I get bored with Television & often go to bed anytime after 7:30 pm if only to read in bed. Dad won't hear
of a colour TV, we could rent
one on a yearly basis quite easily.
We shall look forward to Xmas Eve darling. Xmas Day we shall be at
Auntie Cis's, but I expect
Dad will come home after lunch he finds Mike's two boys a bit
overpowering, but I shall probably stay
longer. They are coming to us on Boxing Day.
The news is very depressing, we are threatened with food shortages, higher & higher prices, Gas, electricity,
phones postal charges up, strikes
& unemployment, but when I go to town, the shops are full & streets crowded, everyone spending like mad &
the ones that can afford it
hoarding everything. We must all be mad to have got into our present state. I'm philosophical. We have enough for our
needs. No more news yet from
Judy. I almost expect her to come walking in any day! I wish they'd never gone. They were doing all right here. She's
never going to have any
security at this rate. I worry about her health. I expect you think I'm a fool John, but there it is. You & Judy
are my lifeline. There'd be
nothing to live for without you & little Tessa. I'm glad the sweater
suitable. I've just sold a
beautiful shawl I'd crocheted for £15!! & a lady's Arran sweater for £8.!! It all helps though I won't
commit myself for orders, I
like to feel free to do them in my own time. Love you
Mother & X X X Dad X X X