Letters From New York
26 September 1966
Dear Mum,
Monday night has rolled around once again (perhaps we'll be able to count the weeks when we get back in terms of the number of letters we've written) and here I am with the latest news from the younger Dwyers' mansion. Most sensational news of all is that Jennifer (seven months tomorrow) has taken off and is crawling around like a veteran. She's loving every minute of it and has celebrated the event by reciting da-da-da consistently. Quite advanced isn't she - but she's got Joan in a torment trying to keep her clean. She's in the throes of a dilly of a cold - Jenny that is - her nose being quite stuffed up and she's just getting over a mysterious bout of hive-like rash and swelling of the hands and legs. Despite all this she's cheery & chirpy and quite lovable. The rest of us are in the pink of health still and you'd have to see the development in the other kiddies to believe it.
Sorry our last letter was late - can only have been the mails since it went out at the usual time. Hope it's arrived safe and sound by this to ease your worried mind! Your epistle was full of all sorts of good news - and you might convey my congratulations to Glenn for his performances (which were quite wonderful) and to Vince for his team's victory. Won't ask you to pass on my congrats to the Mighty Dragons - no doubt they've sufficient volunteers for that chore and the beer (champagne) should still be flowing. We haven't anything quite as exciting as all that to report, though Phillip has received his exhibits back from Geneva and all three of the youngsters seem to be settling down to the idea of school again after the long break. They start religion classes (Wednesday afternoons and Sunday after Mass) this week and Catherine will make the Communion class. Anthony just missed the Confirmation group.
Heard scant details (on the news the other morning) of the 'plane crash in Queensland and haven't been able to pick up much since, so perhaps you can fill me in. Indeed, news of home has been rather sparse lately and it would seem that the recent Federal Budget didn't create too many stirs. So far, the weekly paper hasn't arrived yet so I'm not able to revel in the news of St. George's mighty effort. We had quite a good film here last night on the Aussie effort in Vietnam and Joan and I watched it avidly hoping for a view of Neil but, of course, it was made before he even arrived there. Whilst on the morbid subject, has Lindsay heard any more news of his call-up?
Have survived another hectic weekend of social engagements. On Saturday evening we were invited over to the Bartels' again to meet the very interesting Australian (from Bathurst) priest who was visiting them and the "party" wound up with us all "raiding" a Columban Fathers monastery (where the priest was staying) at 1.00am to meet the Rector and two visiting Irish priests who were watching T.V. On Sunday, we made up an invasion force with the Kellys (after having them over for lunch) and all twelve of us "raided" the Bronx Zoo for the afternoon. You know how I am about zoos and kids but every one outside of Taronga makes me realise how great it is. This N.Y. one is a shambles and, by comparison, most disappointing. To top it all off we had to pass (thank God, by car) through a very crowded and unsavoury looking part of the city. To finish it off then we "sat" for the Bartels - Joan till 10.00pm; then I took over - last night whilst they went all social again.
Don't feel at all happy with the effort I'm making at this - the old pen feels like the claw of a rooster - but perhaps its because I'm rather scratching around for news. Haven't yet been able to get to see the U.N. General Assembly in action but hope to take Joan in towards the end of the week to look us over. The weather's beginning to get quite cool and the kids are bringing forth the complaints every morning. The nip in the air is quite surprising giving some indication of what is to come. Am becoming quite involved in my French classes - but a rather slow student at this early stage. The workload is beginning to pick up at the U.N. too and I'm becoming quite involved (as all dutiful fathers should) in the children's homework problems. It's almost like being back at school again!
Well, news is scarce so will close. Have left the back for Joan as usual. Fond love & best wishes.
Your son,
Bill
Dear Mum,
Hope you are not going to too much trouble with the parcel you are sending. If you must send things, make them small & light, that way it will not be so expensive to post. We are having it quite cool over here now, so looks like winter is really on the way. All the children & Bill & I are well. They start their religion instructions this week & Cathy will make her Communion in May. Jill has talked me into joining the U.N. wifes group, so looks like I'll be active again.
Best love to you,
Joan