The Fortunes of Traveling to Foreign Lands

I've hiked the hill to see "Big Jesus" in Rio (I know...not politically correct, but that's what it is), been really really hot climbing the temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and been really really cold wading in the North Sea in November (a birthday dip).

I've tasted pie across the state of South Dakota, picked wild strawberries in the Latvia countryside, and rated empanadas across South America (Argentina, hands down).

I've ridden a tuktuk through the streets of Bangkok, sailed the Star Ferry in Hong Kong, and figured out the Tokyo subway system.

I've taken the obligatory photo by the Southern Most Point of Key West, looked up at (and down from) the Eiffel Tower, and walked very very quickly through the Red Light District of Amsterdam.

But something about this simple photo of a father and son makes me pause.

AB

Lincoln, Nebr.
Nov. 24, 1959

Dear Marie –

I am ending you some news-paper articles. Wouldn’t it have been wonderful if Martin and his father could have taken a trip together as the 2 shown here in the picture? Perhaps when your sons grow up they will be fortunate to travel abroad to foreign lands.

I heard from Martin a few weeks ago.

Marie I sincerely hope you wrote to the attorney Sunday afternoon as I reminded you. I hope you wrote that I would like for him to see about arranging for me to go to the hotel in Blair.

I would like to call you up again Sunday afternoon. In case you are not at home will you please tell your family to answer if you have wrote to the attorney about me? Also if you have written to your father about me. That he will or will he come for me when I can leave here? You see I wish to leave here the following day after I am released. That is why I wish to see about where I am going. And as I said I wish to leave here the 1st part of December.

I don’t know if you have heard from Lottie or not recently. I called her up not long ago and the news was that Marilyn – Elin’s daughter was on a trip to Europe and wet with some other girls. Marilyn was on a 2 month’s leave and went on a pass.

I haven’t heard from Elin that is not any letter from her since Mother’s day.

I want to get settled so that I can let those who wish to send me a greeting card at a different address.

Now don’t forget to remind who many answer the telephone to tell me if you have written to the attorney and your father. I would be very much pleased to talk to you next Sunday afternoon if you are at home Marie.

Hope you will enjoy reading the articles I am sending you.

With best wishes and love.

I remain
As ever

Mother.