Faith, Hope, and the Holidays

Prefer to hear the letter read? Play “Letters to Louie” with Sally Jensen and Abbey Algiers

Dear Louie,

A long time ago, I wrote to you.

A longer time ago you replied. Now I write, soon you will reply, if the spirit moves.

Nothing new here in southeastern Wisconsin.  Without news, what is there to discuss: death, taxes, left, right, conservative or liberal? 

 Much about nothing; viel über nichts!!

No, Louie, except for a letter from Charles R., I have little to write of. Bob wrote asking for your address. That is not news; he does it each year and after no response. Good, bad, or indifferent there - they are. I hear nothing else for another year. I take it they still live on the square in Madison, on the 13th floor overlooking the capital building.

I was in Madison the past week for a basketball game against Marquette - a lackluster game made better by the writing of the staff the following day.

Basketball is a lousy sport, and this was just so.

Here in the Garden City of Hartford, Wisconsin, nothing has happened, and the odds are nothing will happen. The activity for the next week will be to prepare for the Christmas delivery of gifts to the poorer members of society by us, the aging, decrepit, elderly guys who salve their conscience by aiding the less fortunate. Sounds like Scrooge - and it might be somewhat like Scrooge. It seems we do get crotchety as we age. But a group of us old geezers and younger ones do get together, prepare lists, beg for cooperation and attempt to aid our fellow friends during Christmas time.

We are somewhat successful and hopefully do aid our fellow man.

I have often thought how lonely it must be to have no one at this time of the year.

For many years, as a youth, we had little or nothing, but we always had a family that was together. Even if being together meant sharing what little we had. At least we had someone to share it with.  I had a good family as a kid, nothing as far as net worth, but always faith in the future, and by gosh, it worked out well—nothing to complain of at this time. And as of high school, when I learned to know students from as far as Rubicon and Neosho, it was amazing how similar all peoples were. Later, as the horizons encompassed the drafted from north, south, east, and west, a commonality seemed to exist.

From that common existence, we grew, matured, and enjoyed so many years.

Now, on the downslope, one wonders how long, where, when, and how.

I don't know your routine, but I might imagine your thoughts on what would have been and what might have been now if your Patty had survived.

I might share in your memories at this time, and I might pray for your tolerance of emptiness at the end of the day's light. 

I do wish you to have faith and hope during this season.

For your information, I might say our friend continues to do well. He remains free of tumor and is alert, organized of thought, and easily upset when challenged. He remains a valued member of our talking morning time-wasting club of five geezers. He’s doing well, has an oxygen tank by the side, and walks slowly but is bright and alert. 

Dorothy just called, therefore I must go up the steps, get a few ice cubes and some brandy, and watch a movie.

Ah, the challenges of aging.

Hang in there, Louie.

Keep the faith,

Jim