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Transcription of Letter
From
62, Friars Avenue
Delapre
Northampton
England
(J.R. Derbyshire)
To
John Derbyshire
14, Legion Drive
Valhalla
New York 10595
U.S.A.
March 16th
My darling son,
Thank you for birthday card, yes, I did have one from
Louise, I think its a very nice thought
& have written to her & really look forward to having her come with you. We are quite thrilled at the prospect
& I am planning to
paint the kitchen & have already started putting the garden in order, though it is very wet & cold most days
yet. Don't take too much
notice of Dad's views he's an old softie underneath, though he'd rather die than admit it, & still thinks there's
no one good enough for
you.!! As long as you are well & happy, that's all I care about. You are your own man. I understand about the
bills love but what did you
eat & drink for God's sake.!! I've just had a gas bill but less than I expected. Prices continue to rise, we can no
longer buy coffee which
is around £1.50 for 4 ozs. Tea, too is getting terribly expensive.
I can live without bread,
sugar & potatoes We have one main meal a day, but forgotten what a joint looks like.!! We have enough & a
great deal better off than
many. We shall certainly kill the "fatted calf" when you come & will have a family party & we must
show Louise a bit of the
country, we must take her to the Cotswolds. I'm longing to know when & how long you are coming for.
I hope to have a few days with
Mary & Fred at
Snettisham early May, they have a lovely mobile home there. The
Spring flowers are out in the
garden, you know how much I love them, though I find it very hard work now to keep the garden in order. Last years
drought killed a lot of my plants
off. It is mid-day & Dad & I having a cuppa, roll & cheese, we have our main meal about 4-5 pm. You shall
have the best steak &
kidney pie ever, even if its mid summer.
You don't say what you are doing about your living accommodation when Jay goes. What about your
lovely shelves, shall you take them with you? I'm glad you get on well with Jonathan, does he see his father? I'm
sorry for today's children John,
everybody expects so much of them, but do so little Their childhood seems so short & the world such a greedy,
violent state. I know you
will help him all you can. I'm glad Tess is an avid reader, as both you
& Judy were & still
are, Dad & I too. There's so much to know. I read a lot of travel books, explorers, history, other countries
etc., its the only thing I'd like
money for — to travel, but a pipe dream now. Can't believe I've reached the great age of 65!! The body
feels it but not in my heart &
mind. I often look back on our lovely time together, this time last year I was busy preparing for it. The baby is
lovely, I'm going over today
while Judy goes to her class. She's doing an Open University course, goes back to school next week & Phil takes
over. I hope it works out. Tess
is lovely & adores the baby. Be happy, my love. Write soon.
Jean sends her love, so do the
Aldridges, he's our next mayor.!! Love you
Love to Jay,
Mary, Tom, etc.,
X X X
Mother.