21 Sept 88
Dearest Momsette,
The recollections & reminiscences started to get heavy. I decided that the weight was enough. I moved on. I tried to enter Dalton Hall, as some 2nd-floor rooms (the Libr.) were lighted, hoping to see anyone–Dick [Gonzalez] or Earl [Thomas] maybe. But both doors were locked. I left BMC [Bryn Mawr College, where FG got his M.A. in Psychology from 1967-1970]. At Shipleys’s, I remembered that rainy Spring day. You, Fevi, Bob & baby Vey joined me to my Lab. Vey slept on the floor. Bob played. And you watched me do surgery and implant on rats [white mice]. Fevi was with Bob, now & then, or went around–exploring maybe. On our way back, we were rained out, drenched. Fevi & you pushed Vey in her cart [stroller], running & panting, while [Vey] passively kept on sliding from her seat. Boboy bounced in rapid tiny strides. His face popped out of the hood of his coat. Then, I remembered that [other] night. I was coming home. Fevi had gone forever. I was in grief, angry, with tears. In anger, I pulled a plant or two at Shipley’s. Was it to hurt something or myself? I couldn’t know. Who can understand grief, fury, and pain all together? Oh happy & sad memories in one place at different times.
I went around Bryn Mawr. Bryn Trust is there, clean & secure. The Post Office. The Family bank. The town looked wider and avenues & roads broader. Bryn Mawr Hospital, Bryn Mai’s massive & grand hospital. Bryn should see Bryn Mawr & the hospital one of these days, just to see her right beginnings. Decent, rich, and with a tradition. From Bryn Mawr Hospital, I turned around the center town and headed to Haverford. It was noon. The skies were clear and sunny. Tanda’s [Mr Hoyler, who owned the Used Cars near our Haverford apartment at 16 N Buck Lane, which he also owned] automobile store still carries Volks. But [their] prices are now a whooping $16,000 per Volks. Gone were the 1960’s when a new Volks sold for $2,000. And the large and strong American cars carry higher tag prices. I was alone walking–observing & reminiscing. Your ACME store and your WAWA corner store are still there. Gone is the repair shop, though. And gone too is the old and big house which we had occupied. Our first home or abode here. But my rich and happy memories are still there, alive and stirring. Recall them for me!
I proceeded to Haverford train station, waited for more than an hour back to Philly. I filled my time up reading. Not only was I tired and hungry. I was spent and drained. No, not yet could I face Strafford. I must brace up myself some more for it. There is point to confront the past in one stroke.
At the Center City, I walked back and forth from the 30th Station. I got off there, instead of Suburban Station or Penn Center, in order to mail [my] letter [to you]–that piece of [my] diary at the main P.O.. It was Sunday, and I had to get a stamp, that’s why. The Center City is now greener. The streets are wider. And new buildings, made for the 21st century, give the city her new elegance and modernity. The look of a computer age, the new age of reason, if a city can have her look. It took some 1.5 hours. Then, I walked back to the 30th Station to get my train for home. I was hungry and exhausted. I must have a good supper, bath, and rest. Yes, I must do some laundry & a few marketing chores.
I close. Now, it’s you and the children who must tell me things. I have been over talkative, as if I alone have a boundless bag of talks. But I must fill the silence or void. Talk, even if you’ll spend on stamps in so talking. All of you, when you can, when you can spare stamps, fill up my void. How are you, Uc? Avi, tell me about your stars, written or posted on your works. Xen, my young poetess and thinker. Ferri, my daughter w/ Rizal’s greatness and posture running through her veins. Guido, my Buchokoy on whom I’ll never give up hope, because behind his banter lurks some seriousness of purpose. And Bob and Vey, of whom I bear my hidden pride. Then, Bryn, my “favorite”, who is my Jack of all trades and master of everything, esp. Math. Momsette, my only love, when love takes its meaning. All, speak; don’t hold your peace. DEN