Letters From New York
18 May 1966
Charter Road
Dear Mum (& Vince),
Received your very welcome letter on Saturday last and we were very pleased to hear of your pleasure at the Mothers Day gift. Whilst it wasn't as good as being there with you, it was the best we could do in the circumstances, and there seems to be very few women who can resist a bunch of flowers.
Hard to believe that it's barely five weeks since we left you all - indeed it does seem very much longer despite that we've been very busily engaged in settling ourselves - since the time does seem to have gone quite quickly. I'm disappointed that my first letter may have sown the seeds of doubt in your mind as that was the furthest of thought from my mind. As you can imagine we were a little disappointed at the hotel accommodation we were finally given in New York, but it did seem to be the result of legitimate, uncontrollable circumstances and I guess the whole atmosphere - with so little facility for the children - represented the first deflation of a dream which, up till then, was like something out of fairyland.
Already we're avidly awaiting and devouring letters from home and it seems quite strange to have news and doings reported to us rather than experiencing them ourselves. The night at Margaret's must have been very enjoyable and we're sympathetic for her injury - hope that it is on the improve by this. You seem to be playing up a bit without my stern, guiding hand. What with going to these "doubtful" movies and getting your hair done I suppose it won't be any time before you'll be presenting us with a stepfather!
I'm scrawling this before going to work in the hope that it will reach you by the weekend. I had delayed replying to your letter since Joan had written recently and I am half-expecting a return letter from Margaret. As you can well imagine, we seem to have done little else but write letters since our arrival! Speaking of letters you would be well advised to purchase these air letter folders (at 9c ea.) since to send even a one page normal letter would cost you 20c each time and possibly more if you happen to go into three or more pages.
Joan has seen the specialist with Jennifer and the finding was marvellous. He was almost prepared to pass her as cured but, since the heart is still showing large in the cardiogram, he has preferred to keep her on the medicine for about 12 months. Joan was most impressed with him and his manner and he has referred us to a family doctor with whom she is also pleased. Jenny has grown about 2 inches and has put on about three pounds which, whilst not up to the usual Dwyer progress is nevertheless, in the circumstances, quite encouraging. The nurse & doctors were generally quite surprised at her size for such a youngster. Michael has developed a bad head cold over the past few days - his nose has been running like a tap - and this morning he was showing signs of croup - have I spelt it correctly? The other three are blooming and revelling in their new surroundings. Jenny has developed a rash but it doesn't seem to be causing her any discomfort.
The Australian family which has been so good to us contains four girls strangely all about the same ages as our top four and they've teamed up into quite a battalion. They're all performing quite well at school and loving every minute of it, especially the French and new arts and crafts which they're being shown. Within a week of our settling into the Village Anthony, Phillip and Catherine had mastered the riding of the neighbours' kiddies two wheel bikes so, with little else to amuse them till our own effects arrive, I invested in BRAND NEW bikes for each of them (plus a tricycle for Michael) for $120 - a real steal, and they're happy as Larry. Indeed, as Joan's probably told you, I've been buying marvellously, outfitting the lounge room (with second hand items) for $260 including a four seater convertible lounge/double bed; a recliner lounge chair; a plush single lounge chair; 12' x 9' woollen rug; 3 occasional tables & numerous lamps (the Americans don't use ceiling lighting - everything is done by lamps all over the room). Included in the price was an eleven drawer chest of drawers (a magnificent piece of furniture) with large mirror and a smaller, taller, 4 drawer unit. Later, I obtained another 12' x 9' carpet (nylon this time) for $20. Indeed, what with built in closets in every room we may now be a little embarrassed by the amount of furniture we'll be bringing over from Australia.
Anthony, Phillip & Catherine on new bikes.
Joan, as I may have said before, is bearing up very well. Of course she's homesick - I believe I have been from time to time, but the people we've met here (some of them having experienced the same problems) have been wonderful. We seem to have fallen in with three very nice Australian families & believe it or not we have seen some Americans. We've already been shown quite a bit of the surrounding countryside and Joan has been let loose on three or four shopping sprees. She's finding it difficult to get used to the seemingly high prices of foodstuffs but, in a saner light, things and values seem to be relative. We're happy to see so many familiar brand names over here.
I seem to be settling in quite well in the U.N. and have been given every assistance (above & beyond the call of official requirements). Its certainly a very cosmopolitan atmosphere with more than a dozen nationalities represented in my own Branch. I had a first taste of American hospitality last night when I was invited to one of the plush hotels (the Statler Hilton) as international guest of honour at a Purchasing Officers dinner. It was a most interesting experience and appears to have prospects of opening great possibilities for me.
We had a letter from Tot with a short note from Noreen & I shall probably reply within the next few days. You should tell Vince he should relieve the load on you by writing once in a while! Pleased to hear you've had Stephen down - hope things are on the improve in that quarter (I'm still praying that something will turn up). I started out with not much to say (so I thought) but things get away. Feel I've got oodles more to tell you, but will leave it till next time. We do miss you a lot.
Love from everyone.
Your loving son,
Bill