January 2007:
DEAR BOB, I'M JUST GETTING AROUND TO EMAILS...THINK I'M A LITTLE BEHIND?
2006 STARTED OUT TO BE A WONDERFUL YEAR...NED AND I BEGAN BY TAKING A MISSION TRIP WITH MEMBERS OF OUR CHURCH TO NICARAGUIA IN JANUARY...WE TRAVELLED A LOT THRU SPRING AND SUMMER,SPENDING AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE AT THE CHESPEAKE.WE WERE SAILING ALONG VERY NICELY ENJOYING OUR SIX, SOON TO BE SEVEN GRANDCHILDREN WHEN NED WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A RARE CANCER (BILE DUCT) ON SEPTEMBER 1....HE NOW HAS A MASS IN HIS LIVER.
WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME GETTING TREATMENT, AND CERTAINLY SOME DAYS ARE WORSE THAN OTHERS. NED CONTINUES TO WORK AND WE CONTINUE TO SPEND TIME AT THE BAY...WE LIVE IN THE PRESENT AND NED DOES THIS WITH AMAZING GRACE. WE HAVE PLANS TO GO TO SANIBEL AND NAPLES FOR TEN DAYS IN FEBRUARY AND OUR YOUNGEST SON IS GETTING MARRIED THIS SUMMER.
OUR PHONE NUMBER IN PA IS 610-447-8884 AND AT THE BAY IT IS 410-348-2264...WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU...PLEASE GIVE DONNA OUR BEST.
LOVE, W
I received a short note from Wendy. It is excerpted below:
Subj: Re: Meeing House draft.
Date: 3/6/2003 1:39:29 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Wendellann
To: RTilden
...I HAVE NO REAL NEWS, I'M EXHIBITING IN THE PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW THIS WEEK AND HAVE SPENT HOURS AND HOURS IN THERE. WE'RE EXPECTING OUR THIRD GRANDSON NEXT MONTH...NED AND I FEEL BLESSED WITH OUR LIVES AND FAMILY...
FONDLY, WENDY
Wendy
Subj: Re: Hello
Date: 5/5/2002 9:31:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Wendellann
To: RTilden
HI BOB, THANKS FOR CHECKING ON ME...HAPPILY WE ARE ALL FINE...WE HAD ANOTHER WEDDING IN AUGUST (THREE DOWN)...WE HAVE ANOTHER WEDDING IN OCTOBER (THAT WILL BE 4 OUT OF 5) AND WE HAVE TWO 31/2 YEAR OLD GRANDSONS.WE ARE PUTTING TWO ADDITIONS ON OUR HOUSE ION MARYLAND'S EASTERN SHORE.....SO WE ARE CONSTANTLY RUNNING BACK AND FORTH. I DO VOLUNTEER WORK IN RIDING THERAPY DOWN THERE AS WELL....BUT MY GARDEN CLUB IS HERE...IT'S JUST LIKE LIVING TWO LIVES... NED WAS VERY ILL LAST AUGUST AND JUST MADE THAT AUG WEDDING.THANKFULLY IS HAS BEEN WELL SINCE THEN AND IS VERY ACTIVE WITH WORK, CHURCH AND HE'S COACHING YOUTH LAX FOR ABOUT THE 15TH SEASON...HE'S GOIING TO SHOW ME HOW TO EMAIL YOU A PICTURE OF THE WHOLE FAMILY....MOST OF US LIVE VERY CLOSE BUT WE HAVE COTTON IN GEORGIA FOR A WHILE LONGER, AND MEREDITH AND HER FAMILY IN WASHINGTON STATE....WE ARE ALL TOGHTHER ABOUT ONCE A YEAR.
Above, the family. Below, Wendy is clowning with her two 3 1/2 year old grandsons When I saw the picture, I couldn't help remembering the yearbook picture of her playing bridge. It made me suspect that Wendy is still Wendy!
Date: 10/20/00 9:32:55 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Wendellann
To: Rtilden
Dear Bob,
I'm sorry we won't be there for the reunion...we have had out of town company planned for months...I was really busy last week and couldn't E-mail but now that you have my address please let me know what's happening.
Ned and I have two grandsons both 2 and of course adorable...we have another son getting married next year...that leaves two to go. We spend a lot of time at our home on the eastern shore of Maryland...anyone ever there?
You probably won't get this E-mail before tonight...I'm mad that I didn't write before...have a great time and write back.