Florence Buchanan, Long Island to william Buchanan, Belfast
In Flight AA American Airlines Wychwood c/o Evangeline Rabe Great Neck,Long Island Dear William: This letter no doubt will be a suprise to you in that it has been an absence of some 33 years since my sister corresponded with you. It is rather difficult after so many years to write one who is so close in relationship but far away and only hope that you are in good health. I know you will be glad to know that we have wonderful memories of our father for he was gifted with a wonderful brain and unusual memory and as the years went along, we always compared him to other folks and realized how fortunate we were in having a father who we were so proud of. The boys and girls in our set when at High School and College - would wait for Pa to come home from business and have him solve their mathematical, geographical and historical problems and without faltering, would be able to give the answer. Eva takes after him in that respect. My dear mother followed Pa just five years after him. She had an ulser [ulcer?] in her stomach and after several years in and out of hospitals and to specialists, they could not find out what really was wrong - finally at the 11th hour they discovered what it was but the ulser [ulcer?] broke and she did not survive the operation. They operated immediately and it was very sad for the doctors said the operation performed was a miracle and if they could only have found out before the ulser [ulcer?] broke - her chances for a long life would have been assured. Well we too had an unusual mother - she was beautiful and a dynamic personality. Everyone loved her who came in contact with her and I miss her so much. Ten years before my father passed away, the doctor told him that he would have to undergo an operation for kidney stones but the chances were remote as to survival. Finally they had a consultation of three doctors, two were against operating and one was in favour of it. Finally three doctors gave him the choice of living for 10 years without the operation or operating and taking the chance of surviving. Well Pa said to them "I will take the chance and live as long as I can." It was just 10 years when he passed away almost to the month. He was a brave and fearless man but somehow lacked the courage to go through with it. I still go to business and have been in the present position and same firm for 25 years and was appointed Supervisor in the capacity of training stenographers to become Secretaries and it has been interesting work. Evangeline Has been very happily married to a very fine chap for the past 30 years and it was through him that some two weeks ago he happened to be going through a steel letter box and found your letter attached to the bottom of some correspondence that you had sent to my sister. Incidentally she has enjoyed good health up to 5 years ago when she developed arthritis in her legs and hands and at times, it has benn difficult for her to even write. Now William we will look forward to hearing from you and Pray that both you and family are well and happy. Sincerely Florence Buchanan Transcribed by Jim BuchananClose