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Transcription of Letter
From
Mrs J.R. Derbyshire
62, Friars Avenue
Delapre
Northampton
England NNP 9PX
To
John Derbyshire
Siping Teacher's College
Siping City
Jilin Province
People's Republic of China
Sunday April 17th 1983
My dear son,
actually its now Wednesday. I had let Noel know how poorly Dad was, so they came for the day on
Sunday. Dad had a further examination at NGH last Thursday & I saw the
surgeon afterwards. He told me no cancerous growths, but pockets of infection & inflammation in his large bowel,
the other troubles just
senility, hardening arteries etc. His giddiness hallucinations due to "cerebral disturbances" some
days he's not too bad & then
he has a "turn" sees people, you at the door, hears voices & so on. He can no longer go to town
& can't cope with money any
more, but we're coping. Day time OK, but I'm scared of him falling down stairs when he gets up in the night, its
usually to let you or Noel
in!! or he thinks there's someone at the door. at least he's still mobile!!
I hope by now you will have received your proxy voting
card etc. I.C.T. form. Ray Langwith is here taking old tiles off the
bathroom, to tile it all will
be roughly £250-£300 depending on the tiles
& how much replastering, but don't worry, I'll pay him & you can give me a contribution when you come home. My
bank account getting low, but
I hope to have some fencing across the bottom of the garden before next Autumn, Dad will not be able to cut the hedges.
It was a lovely day last
Saturday, Judy brought Mrs Moore over & we sat outside,
but its poured with rain
since. I bought a fish net for cleaning the pond out
& one or two water plants, then we'll try some little fishes. The garden is quite lovely, full of daffs &
other spring flowers, trees coming
out, but we do need some warm sunshine. Its quite cold & drear today. The fella has just been to read the
electricity metre, I paid the insurance
for the house — contents etc — & Tele. We have to have the TV looked at BBC fine, but other
stations blurred.
Computer Staff rang had a job for you & want you to contact
them when you return. No news of your book, is this a good sign.? I do hope so. All the family fine
& all who know you send their love & good wishes. Will leave this open till tomorrow in case theres a letter
in the morning.
Thursday Just off for my Thursday trek! Lots of love. Roll on
July.!!
As ever,
Mother
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