1999

THE SCHLAVER CHRISTMAS CHIMES – 1999

This year I am sending my letter with a big THANK YOU to everyone, for all your prayers and good wishes. Although the doctor found some cancer cells during a biopsy in early November, my surgery on November 18 turned up negative! So I will not have to undergo radiation. I am much relieved — and most grateful to everyone for your prayers. Dear Mother Teresa is watching over me! I hope she watches over David on his coming trip to India in January and February, where he will be giving more retreats for her Sisters.

I made my two annual visits to the Coplans in Richmond again, and an extra treat was a plane ride with pilot Chris Coplan, his friend Pam Lanier, and my sister Ruth. We flew over the Virginia countryside for an hour.

We have also gathered a few times in Davenport, Iowa, for mini-family reunions. Now we are praying for my sister Helen who is hospitalized there with serious health problems.

Marcia and I made a trip to Sparta, Wisconsin, to attend the funeral of Clarence’s last brother, Lester, in June. His wife Hazel is in a nursing home in Sparta. We saw many relatives on Clarence’s side of the family.

Marcia is busy with part-time work in the drama department at Saint Mary’s College and is editor of the Penny Saver in South Bend. She had to close her little “SewCozy” shop for lack of customers. I continue to knit dish cloths for her and all my friends. With her two jobs, I do not get to South Bend often, but she does pop in on me regularly in Mt. Prospect.

Ruth and Ralph stopped here on their way home from family visits in September. Paul and David were also here and everyone helped me get my yard ready for winter. I rode back to Richmond with them for two weeks. This year my roses were beautiful and I had lots of tomatoes, but few peppers.

All the cousins keep in touch with e-mail now, and they keep the elders informed of all the family affairs. David visits regularly from Phoenix and Paul from Boston. David keeps me supplied with books to read: Tom Brokaw’s and Dan Rather’s reflections, Doris Kearns Goodwin’s memories, and even Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone! I still have a good supply for the winter, along with tomato sauce made by Paul.

Again, many thanks for all your cards and prayers. Even with my aches and pains, I am ready to cross that bridge into the 21st Century and a new millennium!

To everyone: a Blessed Christmas and a healthy New Year!

Elizabeth C. Schlaver
400 S. Ioka Avenue
Mt. Prospect IL 60056-3746