As each year winds down, I look back over the journal that I have kept to
remind myself of the myriad things that have occurred during the year, many of
which I’d never expected and most of
which I’ve already begun to forget. One of the most surprising things that
turned up in 2012 was a letter written from my brother Steve to Mom in August of 1967, just
a few months before his death. Though we
now know what Steve did not about his future – something that imbues the letter
with an even richer meaning – I think it
is a really appropriate letter for reflection on a day given to thoughts about
renewal and new beginnings. On a more
personal level, I think it gives Steve a chance to let him tell those in our
family who never really knew him a little something about himself in his own
words. I wonder how many 19 year-olds
today in comparable situations would show the same kind of independence, work
ethic and character that this letter hints at.
(I’ve kept all the original spelling.)
August 25, 1967
Mom,
Just thought I would write a couple of
lines to let you know what I have been doing.
Right now George and I are in San Fransico, it was so hot at the river
that we decided to come up here and see what was going on. Both of use are okay but we have had a little
trouble with the car, we think that it has a burnt valve but we are really not
sure. We went to a garage the other day
and they said that it would cost between 65.00 and 80.00 dollars to have it
fixed. Neither of use have any money and
we are going to work up here until we can get up enough money to get the car
fixed and return home. I got a job
yesterday working at a place called World Carpets Inc, but it is only for three
days. George is still looking for a job
but hasn’t had much luck. After this job
is finished we are going to go to this place and get a job picking
peaches. We figure we will have enough
money to get the car fixed by Thursday or Friday so we will probably be
returning home late Friday nite or early Saturday morning. I am really looking forward to getting home,
because it is frezzing up here and we have been sleeping in the car and it’s
pretty cramped and I’m starving. Well at
least I think that I have learned one thing out of this trip, and that is that
I don’t want to go on being a bum the rest of my life, after seeing all the bums
and panhandlers down here it really makes you stop and think. I sure would hate
to think of me being like that in 10 years or so. So I have decided when I get back home I am
going to get a job and save money, then go back to school the second semester,
because I doubt if I could get in this semester I think it’s too late. When I get back in school I am really going
to try. This may sound like a lot of
hogwash to you, but I really mean it this time.
This place has really made me see how important it is to get an
education and make something of yourself.
Well enough that subject for a while.
Well like I said I will probable be home
Friday or Saturday depending on how soon we get the car fixed. How is
everything down there OK. I hope. Well I
have to get going now I am at work on my lunch hour and I have to get
back. I just wanted to let you know I am
ok. Say hi to Pat & Mary and
everybody down there and I will see you on Saturday (I hope).
Steve
2 comments:
Wow, this is so valuable to have. It really gives you insight into his life at the time. Did he end up going to back to school like he planned, or did the accident occur before then. It really is amazing to see what he was going through and feeling during that time. So many things that we can easily take for granted, like having a place to sleep and food at our disposal. Thank you for sharing this. Is this something that grandma had saved, or have you had this?
Maya, it was among the pictures and other things that we looked at Uncle Pat's the day of Mom's funeral and that I took it because I was the one who knew Steve best.
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