Letters From New York

Sunday 5 February 196[7]

Dear Mum,

Just one day ahead of schedule this week but my movements and responsibilities tomorrow night are a little uncertain and I couldn’t leave the letter till Tuesday for fear it would reach you later than usual. Actually, we’re most surprised that our Monday efforts seem to reach you late so consistently as all your letters arrive by the Friday of each week with an occasional one of Thursday! Seems the delay must be in the clearing system out there. Sorry the costs of letter writing are so high. I must remember to put a couple of biros in for you next time we send a parcel.

Our eleventh anniversary yesterday, and the first of two tapes expected from Fivedock arrived to give us quite a thrill. Everyone who spoke came over pretty well and were quite readily identifiable. It was very good to have the sounds of all your voices in our home once more. The kiddies were delighted at the little “asides” put in especially for them and Catherine (waxing somewhat homesick) even had a little weep during one of Peter’s sections. It was good to get so much news of home (seems one can never get it all said in letters) despite all the emotion and the odd feeling of talking without being face to face with the listener. We’re very sorry to hear that the weather’s been so oppressive there as we’re, generally, enjoying quite nice conditions over here – and most unseasonable too! Bad luck, too, about your T.V. set – I guess it must really be getting on Vincent’s goat; no doubt deciding to play up just when the most wanted segments are due to be telecast.

Hope you’re firmly seated as you read this since letter writing doesn’t give one an insight into the right time to make a startling announcement. If all the signs and portents are correct it seems that we’ve started a family again – and Joan assures me there’s little possibility of being wrong! She’s to visit a local hospital, run by nuns, next Friday morning for the normal run of tests but, this being her sixth time, they should only be routine and she believes the blessed(?) event is due about September 22nd. Can imagine your feelings as you read this – we’ve also broken the news in Joan’s letter to the Rogers’ today – but I’m afraid it’s just a by-product of two people so much in love and bound by Church laws which we cannot conceive of breaking. Naturally, the prospect has thrown us into something of a turmoil vis-a-vis our position here and we’re going to have to settle down to some serious re-appraisal , with all of which, of course, we’ll keep you in close touch. I’ve no doubt that, as I must have been in the past, I’ll be a disappointment to wiser heads but let it simply rest in the fact that our “planned” family materialised a little ahead of plan.

So much for (to most of you) the disconcerting news. Our anniversary night out last night was quite wonderful and memorable as we took in the Broadway musical “Hello Dolly” starring the one and only Ginger Rogers. She admits to being 55 years of age (could be older) but could still give some of the current young crop a run for their money. She was simply delightful and the way she performed almost left one breathless. We sat up in the “Gods” at a theatre called the St. James but had a very good view of proceedings. Another film star “Gower Champion” was the choreographer and the dancing was really marvellous, but Ginger really stole the show. In fact, we were lucky to see her as she’s leaving it – for greener pastures? – on 18th Feb. As usual, we arrived home quite late (I drove the car in – big deal, eh?) and then sat up with our “baby-sitters” – the Bartels – till 1.45AM watching a movie & celebrating the occasion. No doubt but we’re all nuts – but we’re having fun and the two households are good for each other. Surprisingly the Bartels are restless – Jill in particular – and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see them making a concerted move to go home later this year.

Joan has had word from Neil to say that he expects to be home in May (about the same time Catherine is due to make her First Holy Communion) and I’m not sure whether, in last Monday’s letter, I was able to tell you that Anthony – after some shoving by Mum – has been accepted into the Confirmation class (due to be made in March or April). As you can see, then, we have some big things ahead, and 1967 will be nothing if not interesting. A pretty good weekend has just gone – weatherwise – and became very bold venturing out with the family yesterday onto the freeway to take Joan to a wonderfully modern shopping centre about 15 miles out on the Island. Have been pretty busy at work and the pressure seems to be building up a little more there. Trust the news won’t add any further to your dolors. We’re doing fine and will sort ourselves out.
Love and Best wishes,
Bill

It was wonderful to hear you on the tape Mum, we would have picked your voice anywhere. The children were all thrilled to hear you too. We will be on the lookout for the parcel you have sent. I suppose it will take 4 to 6 weeks to arrive though. “Hello Dolly” was fantastic, we had a marvellous night & I’m sure we will never forget our night out for our eleventh anniversary. Jenny has a nasty head cold but if it doesn’t spread to her chest she will be alright.
God Bless, all our love Mum,
Joan

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