Rafferty Letters 1957–1960

Transcription

Saturday, Nov. 23

Dear Norb & Gladys,

I'm up here with Marion and I'm writing this for her because she's too upset to do it. She received the things for Georgeann and we have already sent your letter and a note to Betty explaining that Marion has been in the hospital and she will be a little late in sending the presents. We'll see that she gets them.

There's some pretty shattering news. Marion had an operation and all seemed to be well. She came home yesterday and it almost floored us. She must start X-Ray treatments beginning Monday for 25 consecutive days and then must stay at the hospital for Radium treatment and I guess you know what that means. It's pretty heart-breaking to see her. She keeps thinking of Mom and the horrible death she had and we can't console her although the doctor says she stands a pretty good chance because it was detected in time. Just pray that he is right. I'm really inclined to believe so because she went at

the first sign instead of waiting around a year or so as I do. It's difficult to convince her that she stands a good chance. She is worried about her Christmas shopping but I told her that everyone will understand. I've been here for a week and I am going home shortly to get things in working order and then I shall come back. Wish I lived a little closer though.

She certainly gets the bumps doesn't she. I don't think I could take it all. I understand the treatments are very expensive but there were two choices — surgery or this and the doctor claims he has had very good results with this. Just pray that he is right.

The rest of the family is fine and so is my own. Will do whatever I can for her. At least there will be someone to look after her. If I can only reassure her. Perhaps if you wrote a note and tried to do just that. If you could convince her there is a good chance it would be worth most any amount.

I'll write more as soon as I get a chance. Say some prayers for her.

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Dec. 7/57

Dear Gladys and Norb,

Gee, I received the most beautiful plant a few minutes ago that I have ever seen in my whole life and getting it from you & Norb just about made me cry. It's so pretty and I'm going to call the florist back & ask them what its name is & how to take care of it. Gee thanks a million to the both of you, its just wonderful!!

Anne & Pop came up Monday & took Cathy back. Anne is going to take care of her for me so I can rest. I'm heavy now & am on my feet too much causing me to lose my blood too fast. The x-ray treatments are okay but the after effects make me weak & nauseated and dizzy. I feel like I'm made of rubber but I don't care what the effects are as long as they cure me.

The doctors said my chances are good & my priest says I've got 3 good men rooting for me — Dr. Ogden, Dr. Williams and the Lord. So you see, folks I can't miss — can I?

My neighbors are very good to me. They clean my house & wash my clothes &

they take turns driving me to Rutland for my treatments whenever Tom can't get home by 4:00. Gee, sure got a good husband here. Tom does every conceivable thing to keep me & make me relax, and he kids me about the new model she'll be after all this is over. I guess we both are getting over the shock of this thing fine. It knocked us for a loop at first but, we've tackled other blows before & I know will come out okay with this one too.

I'm still waiting for a letter from Betty with a few suggestions & sizes etc. for Georgeann's presents & when I get it I'll take care of the shopping for you. I always like to buy them & I should get the letter any time now. I sent your letter along the same day I received it here.

Patricia has been wonderful & she is my right hand. I'd be lost without her. She made honors again this marking period.

Billy is getting big & he does the dishes for me. It takes him a good hr. but he's proud of his job.

Gee, I've got a wonderful family and —

with everyone so concerned about me, I know I'll be cured & all pepped up again. You could never buy happiness and love and I just felt like a millionaire to have so many good people plus my family who are concerned about me.

How do you both feel? Everybody has colds here in Proctor & the weather outside is freezing. If we get some snow it'd probably warm up a little.

Am getting a little dizzy again & my legs & hands are getting that rubber feeling again so will close now & will write you again & let you know how I'm doing. So, thanks so much for my beautiful plant. It's a beauty kids.

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Dec. 9/57

Dear Norb & Gladys.

Thanks so much for your wonderful letter Norb, it did me the world of good once I have confidence in my doctors. Jim says the something you did & the only thing I have to fear is fear itself. Life must go on & I can't be an old pickle puss & spoil everybody's Christmas, so am just going along each day & taking things as they come.

I wrote to Betty the same day I received your check with a few suggestions of my own plus asking her for a few. She was very late in answering but said her mother was in the hospital with a knee operation & she was working at the office, house & running to the hospital, in fact Georgeann's birthday was celebrated this Monday because Annie only came home then. She also wanted your address because she has a picture of Georgeann that she wanted to send you, so I told a lie & said I couldn't give it to her because you work for some engineering Company in Colorado & that you travel the different states & therefore don't have any permanent address, but to send the picture to my house & I'll see that you get it when we meet over the holidays. She must have believed me because she's going to send it here & I'll forward it to you okay!

So am going to buy Georgeann a wrist watch for you Norb. She doesn't need too much

in the line of clothes (not $40.00 worth) and she's wearing records so am going to combine the birthday & Christmas money & get her a watch & some records with the balance. The watch was Betty's suggestion because she's been wearing one & I think a gift like that from her Dad will really make her happy on Christmas day.

We've had a terrible snow storm & all day it rained & now it's icy, so as soon as it lets up I'll go to Rutland & get the watch & records. I will send you the receipt. Gee, Norb, that's a nifty present to receive & she'll be proud when she gets it.

Are you going to Jim's wedding? Gee I almost fell over when I opened his letter & read it. I only hope he'll be happy now. He's such a good man & he had tough luck with his other 2 marriages. They say the 3rd one never fails & I sure hope he finds peace & contentment with Peg.

I hear from Anne every day & Cathy is really getting attention. We miss her here but I couldn't take care of her at home & I know Anne & Ray will love her to pieces. She's a happy baby and so comical at times.

I'll close now folks. Oh by the way my plant is as pretty as ever, in fact it looks like it grew twice since I received it. Write soon & I'll take care of Georgeann's present right away. Do you like the idea of the watch?

Transcription

Feb. 7/58

Dear Gladys & Norb.

Enclosed is a letter for you Norb, so it looks like Georgeann will continue her correspondence with you over dear Gladys.

We've been snowed in here for 3 wks now. The main roads are cleared very quick but the back ones have to depend on the spring thaw, so it seems. I've been feeling fine & when I went to the doctors assuming I was to get my first smear test last wk, he surprised me by saying that he won't retest for another couple of months, so I'm going on the assumption that I can't be too bad off at that.

Tom has been complaining of pains in his chest & the base of his head, so after a wk of agony he went to Dr. Snyder for a check up. They took xrays & his heart & lungs are good but he's got a bad case of pleurisy and a severe nervous condition plus high blood pressure, so he's got 3 kinds of pills & some medicine to take every day. He has been home all wk & we keep the heating pad on him constantly which helps a great deal.

I had a letter from Anne today. She's fine and Maureen got her drivers license so probably she'll get out to Minnesota before we will at the rate of luck we've been having. Thank goodness our children are healthy. There is so much sickness & sadness where children are concerned that we're millionaires in that dept.

The T.V. came that Tom won in the Contest last yr. & it's a honey. It's the 1955 Miss America Console & it has the spook base. He put a lot of hard work into that so we'll enjoy and appreciate it very much. Will Pop our other one. He's due up in a wk or two. & then he can take it back with him.

Cathy, Billy & Pat are fine & no one including Tom & I get more use out of a game than we do out of Cootie. Billy is pretty lucky & beats us the majority of the time.

Do you remember Ford Benedetto Norb? He dropped dead while working in the store (Clinton Auto) this past Monday. He was only 45. Gee I'm getting some more insurance on Tom very soon. At the percentage rate of a man's life span today, we haven't got much of a chance without some insurance to care for us.

I'll close now folks. Write when you find time. A letter from you both is always a welcome sight at this house. Take care now.