AUTHOR NOTE: I don’t know how I happened to get a hold of this next letter, but I’m grateful that it landed up among those I got from my father, even though it was written to my mother on the occasion of my nephew Joshua Holo’s birth. The two daughters referred to are Selma and I. The grandbabies are my sister’s children: Josh and Robbie. Sandy is their father.

July 23, 1971

Dearest Ghita -

You are a happy mortal to have your time thus employed between our two beautiful daughters and two handsome grandbabies. I hope you do the honour of your family as the curtain goes up for the conventionalities. We are all in good health ~ Michael has finished with the painting early today, and we had a nice Sabbath dinner. Except that we missed having you here. Later Linda went over to Libby for some conversation. Chucky is busy with television.

I got some complicated matters to take care of at the South Side building which cannot be laid off. Altho’ I would consider it an honour and privilege to be at the “birth,” it will be most unhealthy to leave the three young children and buzz off for New York City. I am sure that you will be able to represent me and do me and them the honours.

Lord Chesterfield has once remarked and recommended to a patient ~ to have no doctor but a horse, and no apothecary but an ass ~ as for your pains and weaknesses, let your limbs move in freedom for themselves. Use your legs as much as you can, and you should do so too, for disuse makes them worse.

Mayor Daley is continuing to put one foot after another into his mouth, and is becoming ambidextrous.

I am looking forward with much pleasure to getting the latest copies of the New York Times so I can see if you are being taken care of properly.

Give Shelly a good squeeze for me, and also Selma. God bless you and congratulations again to Sandy!

Love, Dad, Linda, Mike, Chucky

September 29, 1971