Gallbladders & Crimes Against Poetry

Dear W,
I'm terribly sorry to have taken so long to answer your lovely letters. Ordinarily, I wouldn't mention the reason, but the coincidence is too unbelievable. I was late in getting my small gifts to you, because - guess - I was having my gallbladder out! Your mother, you mentioned had to have a heart doctor at hand. Because of my asthma/emphysema, I had to have a lung specialist by my side all during the long operation. I had no warning; mine was an emergency. And, surprising to everyone, the whole six weeks is a lovely blank in my mind. I remember nothing. I am just as happy at this, for I've heard a few things about some of the things I said and did that are very embarrassing to me.

When I mailed your package, I knew I had three weeks (at least) to write you before it arrived in Hillsboro. But, with one thing and another, I didn't. And I certainly thought I'd get a note off to you before the poetry books got into your hands, but, as you know, again I didn't. I wanted to tell you not even to bother with Emily Dickinson for some years. And I think every young girl should go through a "Sara Teasdale" period. I can remember how I just loved her all through my teens and maybe a little longer. Then, fortunately or unfortunately, one grows - matures and goes on to other poets. But always there is the remembrance of the joys of Sara Teasdale.

You wrote one sentence that almost made me physically sick. (It did make me ill emotionally, spiritually, psychologically). With all due regard to your teacher, I think it is positively criminal to "take a poem apart line by line". Does one have to take a flower apart leaf by leaf to appreciate it? Would it smell any better? It doesn't matter if one doesn't understand what every word or every line means. Read it for the cadence, the mood, the rhythm. Let it wing your soul heavenwards - as true poetry will and if you ever (in college) get a professor who takes Shakespeare apart like that, get up and walk out - casting him a loathsome glare.

Dear W, when you get a chance write and tell me about your mother - and if you were allowed to date.

Love, E.R.G.

PS
Long before I went to the hospital I sent for your magazine for your birthday. Did you get it plus the card?

Odds and Ends - Thisa and Thata

Dear W,
When I went to get a record for you, I was just overwhelmed at the number and assortment of just the people you like. So, will you please get one you simply ache for - and play it until your family goes crazy?

Thank you so much for that darling picture of the elephant getting a manicure. It will be one of my prize dentries in my collection. And the one of the albino bluebird. In the article (if there were one) did it say if the rest of the babies seemed to know if he were different? I know I've read that with animals, a deformed one was shunned - as was the "runt" of the litter sometimes (cruel as humans!)

You know, every letter you send, I keep hoping for a snap shot of you with your short Princess Di hair cut. It must be so much easier to take care of.

I appoint you a committee of one to find out if Lowell, Massachusetts was named after Amy. Write to the Mayor (always go to the top person): tell him your age, and what you've just discovered about Amy's poetry and her illustrius family. And you wondered.... (I rather hope it wasn't. For as I remember Lowell, it was a cruddy industrial town). Speaking of Lowells, there used to be a satiric little quartrain (ask your parents or your grandmother)
1) _____ speak only to _______
2)______ speak only to _______
3)_____ speak only to Cabots
4) And the Cabots speak only to God.

I'm sure the Lowells were in there, and maybe the Russells. Tell me, if you find out.

I know I couldnt take (start, I mean) two languages at once. Get a year of French, then see if you want to add Spanish the second year. Will you let me get a little sentimental? I just can't tell you how much it has meant to me to have you for a "pen pal" for almost two and a half years - since May 1982. Many of the things I'd taken for granted, suddenly became fresh and exciting because of you. I love your eagerness, your enthusiasm. Your questioning. How I wish I could have had your whole family here for a prolonged visit...

Now, it's almost Christmas - and your fifteenth (15th? are you sure?) birthday the following month. What would you like from Hawaii? (Remember questions get frank answers!) And will you still want "The World" or maybe another magazine?

As I read over some of your early letters, you wanted to be a Park Ranger. Do you still want that? Get to some foreign countries first. See everything youc an.

Tell me about school and your new subjects.

Love always,
E.R.G.

Of Lilacs and Languages

Dear W,
I swear, as I opened your letter, the lovely aroma of lilacs permeated my room. You were so dear and thoughtful to remember - and sent the little blossoms. I immediately went to my poetry books to see what the poets had to say about lilacs. I especially like Amy Lowell:

"Heart leaves of lilac
all over New England,
Roots of lilac under all the soil
of New England
Lilac in me because I am
New England..."

Do you know Amy Lowell? She was a Cambridge gal (my hometown). She was a fine poet, but an eccentric lady. For instance, she smoked cigars (and in public!) before women were smoking cigarettes. She lived in the last quarter of the 18th century and the first quarter of the 20th. And her brother was President of Harvard University.

Now about foreign languages. I'm so happy you asked me, for as you know, I've promised not to "butt in" my opinion unasked. Please, please, dear W, take any and all languages you are offered. Rejoice you are offered French in highschool. That will leave you Spanish (and Italian) to take in college where time will be scarce. Spanish is a cinch, and, after you learn that, a few months will give you Italian - very much like Spanish. If I had my way, French would be introduced into all schools in Grade 2 (that's two). I took all three languages, and while I like Spanish the best, there's no question that French is the elite language - especially in diplomatic circles, in restaurants, with designer clothes, etc. While I was in Italy and, later, Mexico, if I couldn't think of the word I wanted (or needed) in Italian or Spanish, I could in French. Same when I was in France. I usually spoke a combination of all three languages (it had been years, remember).

Well, you have your Michael Jackson (thank heaven it wasn't Boy George). And I have my Jesse. (His picture is in this mess of stuff). Also articles of Menudo and a final hurrah of Men At Work. Tell me, do you prefer records or cassettes? How did your oboe solo "Memory" go? I'd love to see "Cats". In fact, I'd love ten days in New York in September to see all the new plays and musicals.

Thank you again for the lilacs.

Love,
E

Pageants, Fish and Frank Answers

Dear W,
You really are a honey. No whining and no self pity when you didn't win in the pageant - just the facts that you "had a wonderful time" and "met a lot of new friends". I join your parents and grandparents in being proud of you. I could take a page out of your book! Let me tell you of my frustration. In you long letter (and I love your long letters) you mentioned the date and the place of your pageant. I got in touch with a florist I know and told him what I had in mind to send you: a lei of tiny white fragrant flowers (ilima) with a red bow (where the lei is joined) to be delivered to the Hilton in Merrimack. "California"? he asked. "No". I said. "New Hampshire". "New Hampshire"! he bellowed. "That's in New England!" I agreed that he was right. "Six thousand miles from here" he moaned. Well, to make a long story short, he said the lei would never survive such a trip - especially in the dead of winter. I suggested hardier flowers, but he convinced me it just couldn't be done. So I had to give in. At least, I thought, I can send her a telegram. So I phoned the telegraph office. No, the gal told me, no more telegrams to (or from) the mainland. However, she said helpfully, if I'd read it to her, she'd phone you and read it to you. I pointed out I could do that myself! But I knew you'd be into a hundred things so I had to compromise and send you good vibes winging over those 6000 miles. (If I had been the judge, you would have gotten my vote!) Do you have an extra newspaper with the write-up?

About penpals, if your whole class would like foreign ones, I can send you many more columns of names.

Now. About the tropical fish you asked about. When you come right out and ask, I feel I can be honest. And I hope you will be, too, when I ask. I have never understood why people want to own fish. I like to go to an aquarium once in awhile, and over here the fish come in many colors and shapes and are interesting - to a degree. But they're a lot of work (I'm told). You can't pet them, or take them out, or talk to them. I've had friends who had them and seemed very happy. So I shall wait to see what you have to say!

Speaking of frank answers. I have one for you: The necklace (with bracelet) I sent you. Was it exactly what you had in mind? It came from the shop your grandmotehr said she had gotten hers. Tell me.

Murphy graduated, but not with honors, I'm afraid. But (as with you) we pointed out it was a fine experience and that he had met new friends. He agreed and (as with you again) he's cheerful and happy and a joy to live with.

Thank you so much for those lovely letters yous end with the articles and cute pictures. I think anyone could guess that you and I care a lot for animals. (I like the ones you draw). You sure had a long cold winter. Are you getting a few signs of spring and flowers and warm weather? Say hi to your family for me.

Much love and Aloha,
E.R.G.

Of Coral Necklaces and Pumpkin Pie

Dear W,
That was a fun letter you wrote me. I got some real laughs with the jokes and cartoons you included.

I am still working on "Diamond Head". I want to be sure everything I tell you is correct, so I check everything - and that takes time.

But with Christmas coming so soon, I'd better concentrate on that first. I've already written to your grandmother to help us with the coral necklace. First - the color. It's just as easy for me to get the exact color you want. I know there are white, pink and orchid. Maybe there are others. Check with your grandmother. Second - length. Choker or medium length? I suggested to your grandmother that if you two do such things, you could exchange your necklaces depending on the colors you are wearing.

It was dear of you to ask what I'd like for Christmas. It may be hard, at your age, to believe there's nothing I want or need. But I can tell you this: every time I get a note from you it's like Christmas for me. I love to get pictures of you and news of your sports, hobbies, and activities.

I'm so glad you mentioned getting the postcards from Australia. I had forgotten I had asked my friend there to send you a couple. Were you surprised to get the cards? She's a lovely gal who used to live in part of our huge mansion on Diamond Head. I am enclosing an aerogramme which is what I use to write my friends in any foreign land. It's the cheapest way to send mail there - but you may not enclose anything. Otherwise, it would go by ship and take forever. Here's one for you with the right postage on it. You can always get more at the Post Office. Ask for "aerogrammes".

Two things: 1) You forgot to tell me what date in December is your birthday. 2) Shall I renew your subscription to World or do you read the one in school and I'll send you something else?

Is your weather starting to get cooler? Are your leaves still beautiful in all their glorious colors? My sister in Massachusetts enclosed a few in her last letter to me. They reminded me of pumpkin pie - another autumn favorite!

Love,
E.R.G.

Elephants, Animals & Penpals

Dear W,
When Christmas morning finally arrived, yours was the first present I opened. Such a nice little elephant to join my collection on my bookcase. Thank you very much. I wish you could see them all! In glass, fabric, wood, china, soapstone, etc.

Well! Finally! Your package left our Post Office on 24 January. I'm really terribly sorry it's so late. I want to mention a few items: some of the things won't be wrapped, for they aren't "presents", but were given to me and I want to pass them on to you. I'm sure your family will groan when they see the number of clippings, articles, and newspaper pictures. So look them over (fun to do on a rainy or snowy afternoon), and toss them out. I just couldn't bear to. The trouble is that you and I just love animals and suffer along with the ones who are mistreated. I'm sure your grandmother would enjoy seeing the material that concerns Hawaii.

Speaking of animals, I have taken a dislike to Garfield. Maybe I'm a dog person. In this order are my favorites 1) Snoopy, 2) Howard Huge, 3) Odie (the pup with Garfield). A while ago, our two newspapers every day for a whole month published pictures of dogs and cats supplied by the Humane Society and begging people to adopt them. I thought the month would never end. I suffered terribly; they just haunted me. I wanted to take every single one! I'd love to own a huge ranch so I could adopt every unwanted and hurt animal I could find.

I got a great idea for you - if your father and mother agree. Every Sunday in our paper there is a column of mostly teenagers from all over the world who want "pen pals". I am enclosing a few which I marked as suggestions. Because you are so mature you could answer some who are a few years older than requested. And if you are taking a foreign language in school, you might correspond with another teenager in that country. The letters you write are so interesting and you are into so many activities. I'm sure you'd have an exciting correspondence with someone nearer your age. (But don't give ME up!) And here are a few aerogrammes that can go to any foreign country. But don't forget you can't enclose anything - a clipping, an article, a picture. Later you can send those in a regular letter, and take to the Post Office to find out how much it will cost.

Tell me about your Christmas and your birthday. One more thing. I did write to the National Geographic back in early December when I sent a cheque and asked that you be sent a birthday card on 19 January to tell you of the renewal of The World. Was this done? And on time?

Well, dear, a belated but loving wish for a wonderful 1984 for you - filled with adventures, and exciting things in school, and of course, continued good marks in all those subjects.

You have been a joy in my life.

Love, E.R.G.

P.S.
Just think. When you visit Hawaii some day, you will probably be the best prepared in your knowledge of all the Islands than any other tourist who ever came.

Of Psychometrists and Candy Bar Contests

Dear W,
I'm so sorry I didn't get to meet your grandmother in person; but we talked a few times at length. She sure sounds like a jolly person - vital, eager, curious, enthusiastic - much as I imagine you are. She had a wonderful tour company! She had seen or was going to see anything I was going to suggest. And, indeed, some even I had forgotten. I was amazed. She never sounded tired, but I don't think she got much sleep. She's a gal after my own heart: go-go-go, sleep and relax when you get home. See everything you can. She even got to Maui, so she might enjoy seeing your folder of that Island. I'd love to be a fly on the wall, and hear her tell you of different places and things. Be sure and say hi to her for me.

Thank you for being so sympathetic about my stamp collection. Of course, it was mostly my fault for not realizing this tropical atmosphere can wreak havoc where you least expect it. Soon I shall write to you about Diamond Head where I lived in the lovely old broken-down mansion. No, I didn't mean a Wendy's stand was put up there when the house was torn down (that would never have been allowed). It was the owner of Wendy's - a multi-millionaire, I imagine. He would have to be to put up the gorgeous house made to his specifications.

No, I wasn't a teacher at the University of Hawaii. My official title was psychometrist (sigh-com-ee-trist) which means I measured psychological variables such as intelligence, aptitudes, and emotional disturbances. In plain words, I tested normal and abnormal children in public schools on all the Islands (except Niihau). As I never would test after 12:00 o'clock noon (when they might be tired and not do their best), it meant I had long afternoons and evenings for sightseeing. I was allowd to stay in the best hotels (fine food and exceptional Hawaiian shows of dancing, singing, fire throwing, etc), and had to rent a car - so I could go-go-go, too.

I lived in Washington, D.C. for about a year, and saw all the things you mentioned. I was so sorry the new little panda died. How are you coming on the candy bar contest?

Love,
E.R.G.