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During this period of time, the drive to
Paderborn, the Easter period of 1945, my thoughts were on Steve
Conway back home. Steve was Lale's dad and a very good friend
of mine. I used to do a lot of floral work for him when I worked
for Niessner Florists. Steve was in the hospital for several
months during this period and apparently on the road to recovery.
Suddenly, Steve took a turn for the worse and died on March 30th.
Here is a letter I wrote on April 8, 1945,
not knowing that Steve had died:
Hello Steve,
Guess by the time you get this you will be
well on the way to recovery (I hope so) but hope these tardy
lines of "get well", will do some good. Sure was sorry
to hear of you being bedfast, Steve, and been wanting to drop
a line for some time. Seems funny of your being in bed, as the
last time I saw you, you were the picture of health. It just
shows us how quick things can happen.
Though I never write you Steve, as I relay
my message through Lale, just want to let you know I'm pulling
for you. I've also found some time to send a few good words to
the Almighty for your benefit and as I've said before the Good
Lord won't let us down. He's got His watch on you, I'm sure.
I was relieved to hear your operation was
a success and everything is turning out OK. Lale tells me you
don't want to eat. Boy, sounds funny to a guy over here. Maybe
a few C and K rations would give you a little appetite. How about
it?
Don't know if you could call it a rest or
not, for I know it gets mighty miserable lying in bed, but I
hope you get some good out of it. It will keep your mind off
the office and give you a little relaxation.
No doubt Mrs. Conway is kept quite busy now
too, so that makes it so much the more why you want to get back
on your feet again. Then she can have a rest. Lale, too, seems
to have changed her job for the time being, that is, from teaching
to nursing, or guess I should say both.
So how about it Steve? Let's see you get well
soon and back on your feet. As things are going over here, it
won't be too long until we all get back in the U.S.A. When I
get back, I want to see you right at it and maybe I can keep
that 'ol Blue run down truck of Herm's carting those flowers
around for you again. OK?
So best of luck and health to you, Steve,
and sure hope you are on the road to recovery and about to get
back on the job again. Take it easy and as I say "IÕm
rooting for you". Be Good and "May God Bless You",
and the rest of ya all.
As ever,
Bill
NOTE IN MY DIARY OF APRIL 12th: Got word
of Steve Conway dying. Gosh, what a great guy to go before his
time is really up.
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