Name/Title
AU Nelson, Margaret 'Peg' Karen [Keiser] - 2003-01-XX letter to Paul J. Harris Jr.Entry/Object ID
2013.2.26Context
January 2003
The holidays are past, and now I (Peg) can catch up on writing to family and friends, finishing gifts, and trying out new recipes I found in November and December.
This year has been full of moves and transitions.
Faridah graduated from high school in June, declared her independence, and moved about a half mile down the street. She is supporting herself and going to the local community college, with plans to become a paralegal. We see her for a movie or a visit about once a month. She’s happy with her life, and we’re happy that she’s doing so well.
We gave Dave and Erin some help with their move from the Boston area, in May, to Williamstown, MA, where they bought an old carriage barn from Peg’s mom. Parts of the barn have been converted to an apartment-- where they live—and a shop area—where they hope to make a quilt shop and studio for Erin. In the process, Peg helped her mom begin moving many boxes of books and antiques that were stored in the barn. The best part of all this was the fun of seeing Dave and Erin often.
In the summer, Mel and Beth, and Dave and Erin helped us empty the Pocono cabin that had been in the family for 65 years. Thanks to an old agreement, when Norm and Mel’s parents passed on, so did the ownership of the cabin. In November, we joined Mel and Beth again to sort through more boxes of family history and memories left by their parents. This time it was in preparation for Mel and Beth’s move to a new home in western North Carolina.
In the process of all these moves we have been shuttling pieces of furniture, etc., and boxes of family history through our house, emptying some areas and filling others.
A little boasting here: Peg’s hand-woven clothing won blue ribbons and a reserve champion ribbon at the county fair and the NY State Sheep and Wool Festival. She also progressed to the final round of a competition sponsored by Harrisville Designs (a yarn company), and her jacket was on
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exhibit at an international fiber arts conference in Vancouver, BC. The sale of several pieces has provided donations to two relief agencies.
Norm has temporarily given up running for shoveling snow at home. The track he enjoys running on is inaccessible—covered with at least 18 inches of snow. For now, he is satisfied with following his indoor exercise program. Norm continues in his enthusiasm for working with “nice kids” who have gotten into trouble with the law. He has also enjoyed being part of a group that has participated in special programs for men in a nearby state prison.
A quotation we keep in plain sight on our refrigerator door (did we include this last year‘?), by Martin Luther King, Jr. is:
“The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it... Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder the hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate... Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
How we wish and hope that our world leaders could and would learn this lesson!
We also hope that you have a healthy and fulfilling year.
{Peggy & Norm}
Hi Paul,
It was great to receive your Christmas card. Are you still piloting? Would you catch us up on your family?
Carol Hatch sent me -via e-mail- a copy of your genealogy work. Many, many thanks for the tremendous amount of work you did!
Please do call, write, or email. I'd like to stay in touch.
{Peg}
7 S. Randolph Ave. Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601
(845) 454-2205
[End of Letter]
