Personal History Website

Sunday, January 2, 2011

June 20, 1968

Dear Family,

I think that we have received some sort of communication from each of you since my last decker.
Although when I wrote, Mother was still in the Hospital.

It seemed as though the anesthetist who was to assist the Doctor in operating on Mother on
Monday the 17th of June, was called away on an emergency. The Doctor refused to operate with
another, so he postponed the operation for a week, which would have made it to-day. Then mother
cried on his shoulder about twenty additional x-rays, with weights on her leg, studying these, he and his
conference concluded that the activity of the “vile spot” would not preclude delaying the operation until
1 July, so , Saturday evening a small voice on the telephone said; “Come get me Daddy”.

It was a very nice Father’s Day present- the best I could have asked for! Then I received calls
from most of you. The Stobbes, Wilsons and McKays gathered around two telephones, singing happy
Fathers Day, was quite a thrill. Marta said they had to expel the little ones because they all wanted to
talk to Grandpa.

I was quite surprised to receive a Father’s Day Letter from David. His ship is conducting trials
north of Seattle. He is crying for the flesh pots of Long Beach, so he must be loaded. He gets the cast off
his hand tomorrow.

The “Buckaroo” McKays are always a little late, but we did get a letter from Fran yesterday. Bill
is working in the timber. The twins had a Birthday, their sixth. Fran concluded with a mysterious note
about something happening in October. 21?

The Stobbes arrive tomorrow. They should feel right at home in this weather. It was 109
yesterday and they say there is no relief in sight. It broke some kind of a record. We are going some
where in the mountains with them. It will be a chore keeping Grandma quiet, but it would be just as bad
if we stayed at home. At least she lets me cook in the field.

I will stop now as I have to go to Nogales this P.M. I would sooner take a whipping becaiso while
it is only 10:00 A.M. and is 100 degrees,

Again, I thank of all of you for cards, calls and letters. Marta, yours made me blush! I hope you
will always feel that way.

Vaya Con Dios,

Dad

Tucson June 12, 1968

Dear Family,

Today was to have been the day they operated on Mother. I ordered her a bouquet of roses
with a happy Anniversary tag, to be delivered about the time she came out of surgery. She got the
flowers, but she was not operated on. Something made her very ill yesterday, she did not know what,
but attributed it to some of the stuff they injected into her arm for allergy tests. Her heart was acting up
also, which was the reason the Dr. did not want to operate on her to-day. In as much as much as they
had postponed the operation one day, we propositioned the Dr. to postpone it until the Stobbes left, but
he quickly put thumbs down. He said the operation should be performed as soon as possible.

June 13th

I am writing on my anniversary-Father’s Day present and so far I have not learned all the quirks.
Bear with me and some day you will get a nice copy.

I have saved the Anniversary cards you sent and will take them to her today. The nurse told me
last night that Mother is not scheduled for surgery today. Mother called me last night and told me that
she was feeling much better, had eaten for the first time in two days.

I enclosed this effort in my card to Mother;

MY DARLING

We have done many things on this our day

As we journeyed down the years

Although most were done with laughter

A few were done with tears

From Mexico’s Secret fastness

To Hawaii’s pearly strand

We have done the things we loved to do

As we have done them hand in hand

We have always splurged on this our day

Although sometimes in the red

I never thought at this late date

You would spend our day in bed.

June 14, 1968

I am a bit discouraged. The skin pop that caused Mother’s upset was the one for TB, now the Doctor
thinks she might possibly have TB of the bone. I talked to him last night. He is not positive of his
diagnosis, but has delayed operating on her until Monday at the earliest. I have to go to Nogales
Saturday. I have asked the Relief Society to visit her then. I wish some of you would call her Sunday.
Just ask the Operator to get her in room 5 at the Davis Monthan Hospital. She is very cheerful about
the whole thing, but I know she would like to hear from you.

Vaya Con Dios,

Dad