Name/Title
AU Smith, John Alan - 1987-04-13 letter to Richard Lambert HarrisEntry/Object ID
1989.1.85Context
John A. Smith
4-13-87
Dear Dick:
Greetings! We have just had a phone call from Sara Kate Kelser Steck who gave us your address. Her cousin Marguerite, in a late Christmas note, had said your had been sort of sick and she asked whether we had written to you and the address was No. We sent out no Xmas cards this last year because we were worried about Ella B. All of a sudden, out of the blue, she came down with a cancer and they were trying to decide where it came from and what ought to be done so she has had two surgeries and she has started on the 2nd round of Chemotherapy, the 2nd round having been decided on because there was such GOOD response to the first round and they theorize that with a 2nd round, they may be able to rid her body of cancer all together — which is what she wants and what we all want. But what about Richard? How are you by now? We trust things are a lot better and that you will be able to rejoice with the coming again of Spring! Virginia and I are about to head to Dayton and Lebanon. A friend of ours from near here is to be honored at the Seminary and to called a Distinguished Alumnus (he graduated there in 1945 but he was out 10 years to earn some money. He should have graduated in 1935! While we are there we will be staying with Ed and Bonita and we will of course be recalling the good old days when we would stand under your street light and gab then move over to my street light and gab then the one on West Home, either at 35 W. Home or 132 W. Home — Burtners or Grabills and gab some more. What memories and what precious days those were. And Little Ellen and Ollie and the house I appreciated so much at the end of Vine street — 16 E. Park, as I remember it, where Dick Harris lived. We have had a recent letter from Margaret Moore Glover- This Winter she decided to sell the house that Harold Glover had mostly built — it was too large for Margaret
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and she had to get rid of so many things that belonged to Harold and Margaret and it has been quite traumatic. She of course she misses Kathryn, and Roger and doesn't have them to lean on and so she sounded sort of sad. Also some problems with her health - she didn't say just what - cataracts perhaps. Any way when we are in Dayton, we will try to at least contact her by phone. Plus the special banquet honoring the Distinguished Alumnus, there are some special lectures, by a John Howard Yoder, on PEACE and we expect to hear them so we won't have all that much time to run around an look for old friends. And of course when we are at the Seminary we will recall when you lived there and your dear Daddy and Mother and the Y down town where you worked - all of that good stuff! At Lebanon, we will be staying with Virginia's Sister in Law, Mrs. Louis (Florence Howard) Norris. You may know she lost her Louis just a year ago. There also we will see Chick Lambert's widow who has been such a close friend of Florence - she lost her Chuck three or four years ago and Louie preached his Funeral Oration. They lived next to one another on S. State as you well remember. Dear Uncle Ottie! Edna Smith Zech's son Charles is the Director of the big Cincinnati "Y" where Chuck Lambert reigned for so many years - in fact, we understand it was Chuck Lambert who recommended our nephew Chuck Zech! The world is small! We had a good letter from Glenn several months ago and and he is still working and wondering whether he will ever move back to Ohio. He writes such a good letter. Virginia and I and your old buddy Fred Norris and Wife Pauline and her sister, Sara Kate Kelser are just back from L. Angeles where we visited Bernie Norris Howard (same family!) She told that 3 years ago when in Westerville, she ate breakfast at the college with your brother Dan! How we could do with a good long visit. We will be in Westerville in June and wonder if we can see you then? Meantime, our VERY VERY VERY BEST to a cherished and incomparable friend! Deepest affection. Cordially, John&Virgina
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