1990

SCHLAVER CHRISTMAS CHIMES

DECEMBER 1990

GREETINGS!

My first Christmas letter arrived, making me realize that 1990 is rapidly coming to a close. It was from David advising that he would be leaving for Bangladesh the middle of December for a visit.

Since last August I have had family living with me, Tom Coplan, my nephew, his wife, Betsey, daughter Nicola from Lebanon, Tennessee, and Ruth, my sister and her husband Ralph from Richmond, Virginia.

October 18th Tom had a bone marrow transplant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has had a rough time with all the radiation, chemotherapy, medications, but now seems to be doing O.K. He was home in Mount Prospect for Thanksgiving, but reports back to Milwaukee a couple of times a week. He is patiently waiting for the day when he will be able to go back to Tennessee—too cold in the Chicago area. His donor for the bone marrow transplant was from England.

Nicola, age eight, has been a joy to have with me. She is in the second grade here at St. Raymond School across the street from my home. During the long months of waiting they have been redecorating my house. I will miss them all when they leave for their homes.

I have had no big vacation trip this year. I spent one week this spring at Steffens while Mark and Marcia went to San Francisco. Matthew, Clay, Shane and Michelle are growing so fast, Shane is as tall as his Dad. Matthew is a junior at Notre Dame.

I went to Parnell, Iowa for Father Al Neff's 50th ordination celebration, so had a chance to visit with Lucy Neff, his sister, who was my roommate on my trip to Bangladesh about six years ago.

Helen, my sister from Davenport, and I drove to St. Louis to attend our niece Christine's wedding. We had an enjoyable time visiting with my brother Edward and his wife Birdie.

Marcia, David and I made a sad trip to Sparta, Wisconsin to attend Janis Schlaver Martin's funeral this fall. We did see many of the Schlaver relatives.

Paul and family did not make a trip to the Midwest this year but keep in touch by phone and letter.

My pastimes continue to be knitting and reading, although I can't keep up with all the books David brings to me.

My best wishes to all for a joyous Christmas and a healthy New Year.

Betty