2000
THE SCHLAVER CHRISTMAS CHIMES – 2000
I made it into the Third Millennium and to my 88th birthday December 9th! My legs are a bit unsteady at times, and I keep my trusty cane nearby, but by and large this has been a good year, even with my aches and pains.
The early snows have forced me to stay inside. My grandson Clay plowed me out in early December, and neighbor Bob Ryan keeps my front walk cleared. I’ve put off writing the Christmas Chimes to the last minute, but now David is here helping me get the news out to friends and family. I look forward to visits from Marcia and her family on Christmas Eve.
Paul (Boston), Ben (LA) and Julian (NY) came in June to help with the yard work and get everything in shape. David has been home several times from Phoenix, and Marcia comes up from South Bend when she gets time off from her job as editor of the Penny Saver. It is always good to see them, whenever they can come. The days and nights alone can sometimes get pretty long.
My sister Helen Ray died on July 20. We all gathered in Davenport, Iowa, for her funeral at which David presided. Her son-in-law Alan Counihan from Ireland gave a moving testimony to her. We buried Helen in a little country cemetery north of Davenport, next to her husband Jack who died in 1980 shortly after Clarence. Our mother Louise Cronau is also buried there.
My old friend Sister Francella died at Saint Mary’s in late September. David and I were able to bid her farewell. I first met her when I went to Bangladesh in 1984 and we have remained friends all these years.
My usual trip to Richmond, Virginia, this fall was highlighted by nephew Chris Coplan’s marriage to Pam Lanier. It was good to see relatives and friends again.
Paul and David came again this fall to help with yard work and get me ready for winter — which has certainly arrived. All my family calls me quite often to check up on me and see that I am doing OK, and Sheila and Bob Ryan are wonderful neighbors. They installed “Lifeline” to give me (but mostly them) some sense of security. I take medicine for osteoporosis and a shaky right hand. Otherwise I seem to be in pretty good shape. I try to be very careful so I do not fall, because then I would have to make other plans about where to live. We did look into St. Paul’s Retirement Center in South Bend this summer, but I decided as long as I was able, I would like to continue to live in Mount Prospect.
I do appreciate all the letters, cards, and calls I have received this past year. Even though I am slow to answer, I am most grateful to you for keeping in touch. May God bless you and your family. Have a blessed Christmas and a healthy New Year!
Elizabeth C. Schlaver
400 S. I-Oka Avenue
Mt. Prospect IL 60056