To My Dear Children and Their Spouses

  This is an edited copy of an email I sent to the gang earlier today:

When I come home from a visit to all of you, I miss you a lot!  We were able to be grandparents for several events but we miss so much more.  I wish we could just come over for a swim on Waverly Road or fix a meal for everyone--or do something with the younger ones one on one.  But....we are 700 miles away.

About a week ago I asked your dad what it would take for him to be willing to move to the east coast.  He said he was getting tired of house problems.  That night he changed the smoke alarm battery and ten minutes or less later the security alarm went off.  However, we never had a security alarm in the 25 years we lived here!  The noise was awful as you well know.  It was coming from an old unit from the former owners.  I suggested flipping the master switch which we found with flashlights because some lights were also off--and there was blessed quiet.  We flipped the breaker again and the lights came back on.  

Then last Friday night when it was 91 degrees our A/C went out again.  The repair man came on Saturday and saw that the breaker was off.  We had NOT turned it off.  It wasn't just tripped-it was off.  And last night we had another power outage for about 20 minutes in about 1/3 of the house--for no reason at all that we could tell.

This morning an electrician came and took care of several issues and we are optimistic.  The security alarm has been totally disabled and some corroded wires are repaired. 

I told your dad that it was a sign when that awful alarm went off a week ago! 

The thought of packing up this house and moving is scary.  We love our church and are so much a part of the church family.  However, many of our friends have moved on to be near their own children. We like our doctors although they are aging as well.  One has already retired.  Your dad loves his offices at home and at ND.  He does have a few students left but there is always Skype. Two of them should be done this year.  He loves his golf course.  He does not like the east coast congestion and the traffic you all tolerate.  We know east coast living is expensive.

I would not want to buy again.  I would want to rent and be able to call maintenance.  I would love to live where we could walk to get groceries and use a library. 

Princeton?  Bryn Mawr?  Ardmore?  Somewhere between the two of you who are more permanently established.? Not Brooklyn I guess although I love New York.  

Well, I am venting I guess!  Excuse the long email.  Maybe I should make it a blog posting!  Love to all!

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I got prompt responses from Laura and Susan which made me feel very good.  I am trying to go through boxes and closets and continue to get rid of stuff.  I found cards and letters today from people whose names I cannot even remember.  I found other letters that brought back many memories.  It's been a very nostalgic day. 

Jim said what if we sold our house and rented something here in South Bend.  I don't want to do that.    Our homes for 50 years have been based on Jim's career.  I think it's time for me to make a choice--but I don't want to do it without Jim!  

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