….to practice tolerance and live together as good neighbours 

in peace. -Preamble to U.N Charter

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314 N. Fremont St.  River Falls, Wis. 54022  Dec. ‘76

Dear Ones All:

My Christmas thoughts this year are colored by experiences of a week in New York City and at the United Nations.  In October I went on a group tour planned by the Wis. Conference of the United Methodist Church.  There were 29 of us and very appropriately for this year the ages ranged from 17 to 76 (I wasn’t either one of these!).  It was a trip packed with meaning, fun and comradeship reminiscent of the expeditions I took during that storied year I spent abroad a few years back.

Together we studied, listened, talked, explored and above all became more deeply aware of the complexity of the world’s problems.  I, for one, became more grateful for the many blessings we have in this country which we tend to accept too casually.  I was most impressed by the dedication and determined hope of the various consultants and representatives we met and the tireless efforts they put forth against tremendous obstacles.  HOPE is the big word that nourishes all endeavors for a better world.  On my card are sketches of some sculptures at the U.N. which depict this.

Just in case you are wondering how I was able to take time off for the trip, you may have guessed already, I decided last June that I wanted to do some other things and retired from teaching.  Now I’m finding that doing all those things I want to do whenever I want to do them makes for a very full and exhausting schedule.  In addition to becoming more active in some organizations, I have joined two additional interest groups, “Music Madams” and “Matinee Madness”.  Make whatever you want of that!  I also took a woodworking class and taught one in oil painting.  My dining room has become the clay studio with materials and tools always ready.  Come and try your hand.  A small group comes in regularly.  OAK (One of A Kind)

Family news:  The West continues to draw my dear ones away.  Last winter Willia moved to Portland to be near Donna.  Of course this makes one more reason for me to go out there.  So far I am content with visits, although I don’t like having to get reacquainted every time I see my grandchildren.  Merry, Doug and families are firmly converted to that part of the country as is brother Bob and most of his family.  Bruce is now living at home.  He’s very happily employed by a service agency with offices on the University campus.  Three college girls are also living here this year which makes Bruce the man-of-the-house, a role he alternately enjoys and tolerates.

Since I no longer have to schedule my activities around the school calendar, I have decided to stay home this winter - to get caught up on all those things I want to do and will make a trip to visit the West Coast contingent in the spring when I can see the wildflowers blooming on the mountains, another thing I’ve been wanting to do.

As the season of hope, peace and goodwill draws near I find much to be thankful for, especially the love of family and friends like all of you.  And so I send you greetings along with prayers that the Hope of the World will live in your hearts and mine.                                                              As ever, Betty Harris ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We travel together, passengers on a fragile spaceship, committed to its security and peace - preserved only by the care, the work and the love we give our fragile craft.

                                                   -  Adlai Stevenson