October 11, 1981
Little Rock, Ark.

Dearest Ron, Ann, Susanna & Jessie, Rick, Jean, Ricky & Barbara Jean and Roy,

We just finished a really good turkey dinner - turkey, dressing and the works - Johnny had said he would like turkey sandwiches foe a change so we decided to cook the whole turkey and have a Thanksgiving dinner early. Bob and Claire came over and after dinner Claire and I went over to visit with Terry Woods who has been home this week-end and Daddy and Bob did the dishes. Terry is finished with all her college (after six years) and now she is working for "Kelly Girl" as a secretary - she is kinda' sad and her whole life is centered around her dog - she's going to have puppies in a couple weeks.

We are having pretty fall weather although it isn't very cold. They asked me to take a maternity leave for a teacher in fourth grade at Rightsell - that's where Johnny went for intermediate school - I'm enjoying it but it has taken a lot of preparation time at night because I don't have any free periods at school to prepare - it's a good class - I have twenty-four students and four of them are white - in fact, the whole school is black - there are only three white teachers and the principal is a young black man. It's in an old building and I'm on the third floor and many afternoons I'm the last one to leave and it is kinda' scary. The school situation as a whole is scary - Friday night Central played McClellan at Quigley stadium and a couple of students, the girl is 15 and the boy 16 went to their car and were attacked by two young black boys who shot the girl and she is a critical condition with a bullet in her neck close to her spine. They robbed them first and the kids gave them all their money and the girl gave them all her jewelry - Johnny knows the boy and it has made a believer out of him. They stopped having the football games at night for awhile and I'll bet they do that again - I hope so. Johnny has made him a great big stick to keep in the car isn't that terrible????

Johnny passed his Eagle Scout Board of Review finally - they had it on Tuesday night and they kept him in the room for so long I was sure he wasn't going to pass but he did. He'll have his Court of Honor in November sometime. We have done that for our Family Home Evenings for the last five years - we can't believe it's finally done. His Onkyo stereo system came on Thursday and it is really neat - he loves it and says they are going to let him do the church dances so that will be good experience for him. He went to Seminary Super Saturday yesterday - they climbed Pinnacle and cleaned the park up a bit and then had a dance at the church. He is on the go constantly - went to "Young Life" last week and really enjoyed that and to the Hall, Parkview game another night and then the Fair - he is really happy with school and everything and that makes us happy too.

Daddy gave a talk in church this morning and it was just excellent - he talked about the Apostle Paul and everyone in the ward was just spellbound. His talent is surely being wasted, I think. Jim Griffin came over to see him on Thursday night and looked at his ear and said it was doing great - Daddy was relieved to learn that it still has a lot of packing in it because it hasn't been able to hear anything since the operation. He is going to take it out this next week and we're all looking forward to that!!!! Daddy has gone to Plainview to go fishing with Wayne several times but they have gone back down to Alabama now. Daddy has spent a lot of time fixing up the Lincoln - took those old rust spots off the hood and repainted that and also the canvas top and it looks like a new car.

Roy - I saw Mrs. Thweat last week and she said Tal is working in Benton at the State Hospital - I think I have that right!!!! Anyway he is working for the hospital in someway - is he in social work? He isn't married yet. We talked to Robert for a few minutes outside his home and he seems happier than I have ever seen him - says he may go to Spain (I think?) and take a semester of schooling there. The Dearborn Construction Co. has been doing some remodeling on Gillette - I'm sure that's your friend's company. We would really like to take off and come see you - Pete said her trip was really spectacular - now with my teaching commitment we won't be able to for a little while. We're really looking forward to Christmas.

Annie - it was wonderful to talk to you - we're so happy you had a good time in California but wish you could have felt better. We'll be anxious to hear what your doctor has to say about you. Susanna is so much like her mother - thinks so much faster than she can possibly talk - monsters and Susanna just don't mix but we loved to hear about the Incredible Hulk!!!!

Jeannie - how are you getting along without Rick? I talk myself out of calling you at least a dozen times a day - I worry about you and hope so much that you will take good care of yourself and see your doctor regularly. I have the hardest time calling little Michael, Michael - I keep calling him Ricky - for one thing he looks a lot like Ricky and it just seems to come naturally. Ann says that little Barji is really walking good and both Jessie and Susanna keep telling her about things they did when they were with you.

Roy - you just called - what a special treat!!! You sound so good - oh how we would love to have you come home in a couple weeks - let us know what you can work out and if we possibly could we would drive you back. The teachers have a couple days off the first part of November for a teacher's convention but I think it is probably later than you would need to get back - I could get someone teach for me though. Your "Place" sounds so homey with a braided rug that is so colorful and I'm so glad you have access to washing and drying machines - sounds like you're really "settled in". it was interesting to have Jim come over the other night because Bob and Claire were here and Bob asked him a lot of questions about interning and specializing and all - have you decided or narrowed the field down as to what you plan to specialize in? Jim said he had made up his mind by the end of his Junior year.

I can't think of anymore news - our Ward has changed so much and I hardly ever see anyone to talk to anyway - we feel more at home at the ward in Lehi than we do here!!!!

We surely do love each one of you and hope so much that you're all doing great and that you're happy - PLEASE BE CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO!!!!!!!
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