Schlesinger Library

Dear Dr Van Waters

This is Sat evening & I am rather tired, be it my first day out for over a month. I was more than happy for your companionship.

Is it myself, that has changed or what was the matter today that our Rangers were not & did not stick together as we always did.

Rangers are Rangers - be it here or afar - A warm - Handshake to help me & others - not only in their hrs of need but always - Maybe the weather was the cause - It was very cold I know.

Dr Van Waters have you ever really forgiven me for what happened over the House - It pray on my mind

Jan 21 19 McClain Hosp Waverly Mass

Dear Dr Van Waters

Weary was I last evening upon reaching Wuthering Heights here in Waverly, by my humble heart was happy for I had seen you for a short while.

Sorry's not the word to learn of your not feeling in the best. You are Dr Van Waters * God nor Man, can even break your great supernatural gift of holding up under any strain be it mental, physical or shall we call it works of State.

As I walked down the road last evening in early dark, memories flooded this mind of mine of our great days of the Rangers. Dr, The Rangers have changed or have I. When you were talking about the Rock, near Hilltop, do you recall. The time Dr. E. Woods our beloved Ranger now in Japan was our guest & one of the Rangers sang. The beauty of the view echoedd across the barren woods & fields.

The Sign post brigade - when Helen Whitehead Irene Shillen went up the trees like monkeys and hailed them all, we all did a good days work and oh! the glorious fun & laughter.

Sept 25 1951 Long Island Hospital Boston, Mass

My Dear Dr Van Waters Your Generous gift & beautiful card arrived this A.M & I am more that grateful to you. Just the card alone would have been enough knowing that we are still Rangers makes me very happy.

Dr Abraham Mycross Son who is making a study on Alcoholics Dr have - Staff Dr asked me a few weeks ago if I would care to see him & I readily agreed - when I thought he had forgotten about it, I reminded him & he told me that Dr Mycross comes down from New Hampshire every so often. So yesterday - He come over & had a talk with me - I stated just how I felt & such. He in return told me that I should continue with Hospital work - where I also will be supervised - he wanted to know from my observation here how many Women alcoholics be down here

Here we are surrounded by Water & yet we have beautiful trees - Shrubs Birds - Shine - all on this Island of Human Suffering.

The Rangers are due for beautiful pictures in the woods these days. The leaves turning color that no artist can paint. The trails we used to hike those shrubs, with there berries turning color & the fern found in spots, least expencted the Pine trees standing as stately - Oh! then they wonder why I get lonely. As I told the Dr yesterday in my talk - how I dread being alone. He didn't know the real reason of my living lonely.

I miss you very much. The saying goes, makes the heart grow fonder Those words are very true. How many times I wished that I could of done better while at Framingham by that I mean not been so cranky at times. Made you unhappy as I did only God knows how I have prayed for your forgiveness.

[Writing on right hand side]

Knowing women, Dear Doctor as I do & I told him that women are funny folks. They do not like to discuss a subject such as drink. I also asked him why he didnt go up to Framingham, to do research & study on alcholics & he said & I quote Dr Van Waters is a great woman & I have never been asked to go up there. You see Dear Docotor Van Waters. I am the only woman he has talked with down here. Mostly men. His Father was a great man & I think that he could do a great deal for the Women of Framingham & they in return could help further is education.

Doctor when I start to write you, I swear I will only say a few words, but no I keep rattling on & on.

The picture of the American Redstart is beautiful. You should see the sea gulls down there they are so big as Turkeys, they whail all the time. They have thousands of sparros I feed them after each meal Time is a wonderful creation

Dr Van Waters Mistle Toe {arriw points to the sketch of a tiny plant} |Poison Ivy {arrow points towards the sketch of a shrub} Senior {written vertically down the trunk of a sketched tree} Irish American Shrew {written across the sketch of a shrew} Currant {arrow points towards the sketch of a shrub} Rangers {written vertically down the trunk of a sketched tree} Wandering Jew {arrow points towards the sketch of a plant}