February 16, 1987

Feb 16, 1987

Dear Mom,

Thank you for the card!  I've got it by my clock.  I just sent off a thank you note to Nana.  I think she'll like it.

Nana, my matriarchal grandmother, didn't become a pleasant woman until her senility (more on that some other time).  We never called her "Nahnah" as most would pronounce the name, but instead we always called her "Nanny."  I believe my sister started this when she was little.

Since I probably won't be up there until after March, I thought I'd send this book to you now.  I hope it got to you in one piece.

Not intended to add more confusion, but Mom's birthday was celebrated in March 25 even though her birth certificate states the day before.  I believe the book I sent here was A Gift from the Sea, which she fondly referenced often.

I don't know if I told you, but two of my projects are going to be exhibited in a campus gallery.  That will be in a couple of weeks.  I didn't think I had it in me.

Time to bury myself in books.  Say "hi" to Dad & Kitty.

Love,
Tom

Sad to think in less than a year Kitty would die from asphyxiation in the house fire. In fact, this letter has smoke damage on the back.  Since Mom saved everything, it was part of what survived.