Dear Cyndy,

It's good that you are back home. I hope that you're comfortable
and as happy as the circumstances permit. Nine days ago I received
an e-mail from Ned telling about your broken hip and giving me the
phone number of the rehabilitation center where you were recovering.
I didn't telephone, because I remembered your aversion to telephone
conversations and concluded that neither anything I could say nor 
the call itself would be of any help. At the same time, Margaret's
physical and mental situation was and is so desperate, that I would
be remiss not to refer to it but remiss also to describe it. 
Realistically each of us, especially at our ages, is beset with
insoluble problems which are seldom made better and sometimes 
made worse by being recited.

Viewed realistically, Margaret is dying; and the issue for each of
her various family members is how he or she should comport him- or
herself during a period of agony whose duration is unpredictable.
For me, as always, literature, writing about it, telling the story,
is the therapeutic answer. Each day, I've been sending an e-mail account
of what's going on to my three siblings-in-law; and if you would like
to be kept informed, please let me know and I'll keep you supplied
with copies of what I write.

Once more, my very best wishes for your recovery and what's even more
important for your happiness. Please give my best to Ned.

Affectionately,
Jochen