Personal Entry : 9 March, 2000
This is Papa Martin's first note to all the family covering all points north, south, east and west of Chicago. Blythe and Jeffrey will graciously put it on the Internet for all the family to read. In the same vain as Walter Winchell's column in the 1930s. I hope these notes of my progress and family's activities will be interesting for all.
I have just spent some time in the hospital and got out yesterday and have alot I would like to share to keep all of you informed of my progress as time goes by. Thank god for all the family support from Dorothy, Ilene and Wayne, Rene and Barry, Lauri, Tracy, Jeff, and Blythe. They all gave their time so generously. The newspaper clippings from Lois and Phil filled a void and were very timely during my recovery. And also from Bess, god bless her. What would I have done without brother Eddie's daily visits? What a lift they gave each day. The visits from Andy and Teddy will also never be forgotten. So uplifting were the phone calls from Fran, Eugenie, Judy, David, Donald, Joanne, and Alan - they helped this Indian friend during these long and low hospital days. I could go on and on for the wonderful support I received from Ilene, Barry and Dorothy which I will never forget, and thank god for their daily presence - it saved my life.
I am now in Alden North Shore to recooperate and get my health back.
Personal Entry : 16 March, 2000
Well today I am here at Alden six days and beginning to feel a little better. Judy Smith called today and we had a good conversation. She sounds good and made me feel good with the phone call.
The days are passing with my walking and stretching exercises, and slowly but surely I am getting stronger. I cannot walk yet but I am getting stronger each day. It is a struggle, but I am going to beat this someday.
I really wish I can get out of here walking on my own, but time will tell and I suppose that someday I will. Keep in touch because that is what keeps me alive.
Memories of Grandmother
My grandmother, may she rest in peace wanted me to get out of the hot city for a couple of weeks. What else do I remember,coming back to this TV show, about all these familiar places, being shown on TV, the Jewish people, in order to live in those days, I remember a man with a beard and a hat, (always with a beard and a hat) had dinner with us and slept over. This was my grandmother, always trying to find a place around NY so he could make a living here. After sleeping over one night or maybe two, he would disappear. I remember in those days we would all eat in the kitchen; there were only 2 or 3 chairs. we would eat when Mama or Grandma would cook and this man, who couldn't speak a word of English, maybe he was Russian. This man would eat with us two at a time. These are the vague memories I have.brought back by this TV program. Another thought just came to my mind, I remember grandma taking me up to Grossinger's, in order to solicit funds for the Henry Street Settlment. There were magnificent flowers. I coundn't believe a place like that existed. While she talked with Mrs. Grossinger, or something like that, I am not sure of the name.
Learning About Computers
Dorothy has been extremely helpful since my illness started, spring of 1998. My handwriting has been getting worse and worse. It is very hard for me to read it myself. Quite often Dorothy and I have been talking about how I can get to use the computer. One day when walking down the street I passed the Disney Magnet School. I walked in the door and spoke to the Principal, Dr. Chase. I waited about forty minutes and he was very gracious. I told him I was 86 years old and my handwriting was getting very bad and was there anything he could do to help. He got up from his chair, said that this was a wonderful idea (learning to use a computer). He took me around to the third floor and introduced me to the computer person, in charge of the computer school. There were 50 or 60 computers. He said to come back tomorrow and he would see what he could do. So, I did that. I didn't come back until the following week. At that time, he introduced me to a 12 year old girl and I sat down and she showed me how to work the computer. Next I had an eleven year old girl show me how to work the computer. I have some samples of the work I did that day. I am very proud of myself. All I did was write my name and one line.
Television Show Sparks Memories
Last night, Dorothy called me to say there was a television show starting on a highly religious group in the late 1800's, who settled in America. I couldn't believe the memories this show brought back from my childhood. I must have been 5 years old, my grandmother, Bessie Watton, at the Henry Street settlement, which is where Jews went when they got off the boat. This is where they were told that this is America and where they would live. This place is on Delancy Street. My grandmother was a strong woman. I vaguely remember her taking me there, maybe I was 5 years old and the place was mobbed with people. It seemed like everybody had a beard., and a hat (at least the men). My grandmother set me up to go to a camp for 2 weeks. I must have 6 or 7 years old and I hated it. I didn't know anyone. There were just Jewish kids sent there for 2 weeks to get out of New York City in the summertime. It was beastly hot, waiting for my food. I can't remember where it was but I vaguely remember being there.