Somewhere in a previous writing, I mentioned the fact that I was the youngest in a family that once consisted of eight children. Today is Monday March 4, 2002. Yesterday, when I was writing Reflections Page V, I was shown documentation, by my wife Joan, which I never before in my life laid eyes upon. I am 57 years of age today, I was 57 years old yesterday, and on the 16th of this month I will be 58 years old.
The following letter is my typewritten copy of a handwritten letter that my sister Bettie wrote to my Maternal Grandmother:
Franklin, La.
Dec. 5, 1944
Dear Dady
How's my cute 'lil grandma (or should I say "Brandmuzzer?") feeling these nice damp days? If the weather over that way is the same as it is over here, you can't complain about it's being dull. A couple of days of rain, then a couple of days of sunshine, then rain again. Some fun.
Oubry Caffery called me tonight and asked to the show tomorrow. He says he's been working nights - from 12 to 8 - and doesn't get out very much anymore. Gee, wonder who's gonna turn up next! Johnny still hasn't written to me - he must have gotten mad again, bless his heart.
Mom says to tell you that she got your letter and will write you just as soon as she possibly can. She also says that if she can ever find any Kleenex she'll send you some. You can't get it here either, unless you happen to be right at the store when a rare shipment of it comes in. I have about half of Uncle Sam's Navy working on it for me, tho. (Some of the sailors in Morgan City are trying to get me some, too.) Keep your fingers crossed, and maybe we'll find some somewhere.
Mom will tell you all the family news - if there is any - so I'll say "good-night for now."
Write me when you get a chance.
Loads of Love,
Bettie
Joan showed me this letter written by my sister, Bettie yesterday. She obtained it from my sister, Kathie, shortly before my mother' death in 1993, I never asked my mother anything about Bettie's life. She always had a picture of Bettie on her dresser as long as I can remember.
I was born on March 16, 1944; the letter is dated December 5, 1944. She was killed in an auto accident with Oubry Caffery on December 9, 1944. Joan was able to get closer to my mother than I ever was, and consequently she was able to acquire information from her that I never felt comfortable about obtaining.
Interestingly, Oubry Caffery is the brother of Pat Caffery of New Iberia, Louisiana, and Pat was a Congressman when I first went to work as a pharmacist. I think he only served one term and then decided to not run again. He found out that he was more of a family man than he was a politician. In a way it is too bad, because he is probably one of the finest men that I ever had the pleasure of knowing! How many politicians can one say that about?
Bettie's death was the first event that led to our family becoming dysfunctional. From my perspective there were certain unspoken boundaries that were off limits to my siblings or me. This letter is evidence that lends credence to my assumption. Joan had it all of these years, but failed to show it to me until yesterday, when of course it piqued my interest.
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