June 5, 1968

Dear Family,

Mother goes into the Hospital on Sunday, the ninth and will be operated on, on the 12th. Recent
X-rays of her knee have shown a spot on the bone that the Doctors cannot identify. At first they thought
it came from the injections of cortisone they had given her, but it is on the opposite side of her knee and
is the only spot that is painful, becoming progressively worse. The pain killer gives her very short relief
now. Before deciding to operate, the Doctors at D.M. consulted a civilian specialist.

I am writing this while she is in Relief Society as she gave me strict orders not to say anything to
you. She is fighting very hard to postpone the operation till after the Stobbe’s visit, even though the Dr.
told her she would be able to go fishing, if we all take care of her – this she hates. We have an
appointment with the Dr. this afternoon when she will make her last effort for postponement. I don’t
think she will get it. I am going against her wishes in telling you this, because I would like all of you to
remember her in your prayers when she goes under the knife a week from to-day.

Bill, I have come to the conclusion that you and Fran cannot tell the twins apart. You sent us a
picture of the other twin, but kept both of the first pictures that were alike. Send one of them back and
indicate on the back which of them it is – if you dare.

Everything depends on the outcome of Mother’s operation, as to when we can go your way, but
I do hope we can get there before your garden is all gone.

We finally got a letter from David with some corrections. He fell off the mast! His home Station
will be long Beach not Venice however letters will still reach him through the FPO San Francisco Zip
96601 to USS Somers.

The Stobbes should be airborne to day and can read this letter today at Marta’s”.

No letters from the rest of you. Tell my Granddaughters that the Granddaughter decker just went out
of circulation---no subscriptions!

Vaya Con Dios,

Dad