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Transcription of Letter
From
J.R. Derbyshire
62, Friars Avenue
Delapre
Northampton
England
To
Mr John Derbyshire
126, Stevens Avenue
Valhalla
New York 10595
U.S.A.
March 17th '78
My darling son,
received your card & letter today, thank you dear for cheque. First of all, I thought I might buy
myself a gold gate bracelet which I would love, but my more sensible self put it in
the Building Society,
as interest here pays the heavy heating bills for winter which has been very long & cold. I shall take Jean out to lunch on my birthday, ugh!! 66, soon be an
old woman.!! Apart from colds & niggles of ageing, we are very well & as I told you 28 lbs fatter —
disgusting. This means letting
seams out now, or buying new clothes.
We read & saw on T.V your storms & snow.
Last week was
really beautiful Spring weather but yesterday morning it had snowed like the clappers & everywhere inches of snow.
By lunch time it had all gone
& today cold & drear again. I want to get in the garden but too cold & lazy yet.
We, of course, worry about you & long
to see
you, Dad's quite convinced he'll never see you again. I am sorry about
Mary, I will write to her today.
What is Jay doing in California? I do hope she has recovered by now. Dear, I'm curious, does
Kathy
work? who looks after the children? Is she divorced? Are you in love with her & do you live with her? Just nosey
love, I don't want things to get
too complicated for you, to hurt or be hurt if it doesn't work out, I just want you to be happy. If the children get
fond of you, as I'm sure they
are, they going to be upset. I know a little girl of 5 can be enchanting, distracting, & expensive!! Is it a ready
made family? Does their Dady
see them or help support them? I wish I could see you all again. Perhaps in a couple of years I could come again, that
would be something to look
forward to.
Judy wants us to go to lunch on Easter Sunday.[1] Tess is afraid you'll come while she's away. July
16th — she goes for 4 weeks. She
really loves you. The baby is gorgeous, I'm going to have him two days,
Easter week, to let Judy get
some swotting in, she takes her finals for a Dip. Ed. soon. She wants you to meet Phil & see Marcus, do keep in
touch with her love, she's your
only touch with home when Dad & I pass on. Noel also wants to see you. Robert marries in July, he's a lovely
fellow. I've bought the children
Easter eggs. I expect Tess will be here tomorrow, she's very anxious to know, where is going to sleep when Uncle John
comes. Give Jeanine a hug &
kiss from me & regards to Kathy. I wish I had met her. Do you see anything of
Tom & Ginny.
Remember me to all. Dad will be writing soon. I'm reading all our ancient Monarchy up, we've had some odd bodies eh!! I
love history & read a
great deal historical & travelling books. I laughed on T.V, the goats on the steps of the Capitol, to think I had
stood there with my beloved
son!! Take care my darling
As always with love
Mother
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