[minor typos corrected]
Dear Family and Friends,
First let me apologize for being such a poor correspondent! Second let
me say I never knew there were so many wonderful people in the world and
certainly a lot of them have affected my life in the last two years!
Thanks to the help of family, neighbors and friends, I am happily
settled in a very nice and comfortable retirement apartment. I have a
bedroom (12ft by 12ft), bathroom, hall and living room (12 by 21) with
a small kitchen area with refrigerator and sink. We are served three
meals a day in a very attractive dining room. I eat breakfast in here
because I have my own microwave and toaster and prefer to eat breakfast
alone. Thanks to Bill and Jeannie and Ros and Roberta, the move was
made without any assistance from me. When I came here everything (my
own furniture) was in its place and I felt at home immediately.
My house is sold and Molly has a wonderful home. Cheryl who cleaned for
me for 15 years and whom Molly loved, took her. She is now living in a
house with 3 children, a dog and a cat and seems to have become a puppy
again.
We had a wonderful Family Reunion here in mid June.There were 47 people,
4 generations. I was the only surviving member of my generation,
sadly. It was great because cousins who hadn't known each other became
good friends.
Christmas is almost here and Bill and Jeannie are on their way here to
spend it with me. Our lobby (which is an Atrium) is beautifully
decorated and looks like home with its electric train and village.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a wonderful
New Year! I look forward to a very happy 2004 and am so thankful for
all my friends and family!
Lots of love, May
Dear family,
I am Konrad Magnus jr (54), son of Theodora (Dora) (84), the daughter of
Kathrina Holland Van Wagenen (older sister of Garrett and Theodora - Aunt
Teddy, who was my God Mother). I have met quite a few of you in earlier
travels to the US and hope to able to join you all sooner or later at a
family reunion. (I will be in California mid August, 3 hrs north of San
Francisco).
I told my aunt Mei Mei (my mother's younger sister) the news of the death of
May, and that there was an interest to hear from anyone who might share
stories related to her life. Mei Mei then immediately sat down and hand
wrote the following, which I pass on to you all:
I hope we reach you in time to be taking some little part in your gathering
around the memorial ceremony for cousin May, who died recently. I am glad to
have connection with you again, and to have been kept updated with the
family so well. Thanks a lot.
One summer, - it may have been 1938 - , we were many young people gathered
under grandma Kate V.W.'s roof. I was 15, Dora 18 and May was probably
between us in age. May and I became good friends, and we exchanged letters
now and then as adults. It was a lively and cheerful summer. Aunt Teddy's
stepsons Allen and Jack were there; and we were joined by youth from around
Alstead Center: Squibbs, Stevenses, Louise at the farm, and the 2 italian
nephews of the Van Bibbers, so handsome. Lorenzo was killed in World War 2.
We were all taken swimming to Warren Pond and to the Gorge. There was a
picnic to Pratt's Ledge with a westerly view over the White (or Green)
Mountains. We had a bonfire supper on Sunset Rock, where the Hutch was to be
built, but where later sunsets disappeared forever in thick "jungle". We
were always a bunch of youngsters and adults together, the way I remember
it, my brother Chris at 13 being the youngest.
I have a delightful drawing by Dora of summer memories at Warren Pond, made
while she was at Wellesley. Each person drawn minimally but perfectly
characteristic. (Jackie Ward saunters on the bottom, carrying a rock to keep
him down.)
If any of you ever go to Alstead, don't try visiting Warren Pond. You may be
threatened with a shotgun, as brother Chris was as a Dartmouth student when
jumping the fence for a nostalgic re-visit!
John and I are doing reasonably well for our ages 80 and 81 and live in 2nd
floor of a number of partly connected 2-story brown wood buildings up near
Holmenkollen (famous ski jump arena) and the forest. We are very satisfied
here.
Dora has recently been moved to a nursing home, but with her multiplying
family mostly quite near, is much visited. We spent Christmas Eve on that
ward. She nods or shakes Yes or No, and says few but sensible words.
We send you all warm greetings!
Mei Mei (and John)"
...
Click Here for a picture of Konrad
Click Here for a picture of Konrad's
siblings in 1948 (he wasn't born yet - I think he was born in 1951 by his age in the letter above). On the back of the picture, the following is written:
"Hans Christian, Sten Erik, and Merete (Little Sister) Magnus, October 1948."