Christmas Day, 1947, At Grandma Eichman’s house
This is the text of a letter from my Dad's cousin Judi Buus, which Marshall read at the memorial service.
Dear Alice & Peter,
First, I want to say how sorry I am to hear of Tom’s passing. I know that he, and you, have been struggling for some time, but, still, it’s a difficult time to deal with.
I remember when my brother Jim died, some five years ago already, and I was in Colorado for his memorial service. Tom had sent, and I read, a wonderful letter, talking about many of our childhood experiences. One thing specifically that he talked about was getting up on Christmas morning and opening presents, and then calling each other to talk about what we’d gotten, even though we knew that we’d see each other later that day at Grandma & Grandpa Eichman’s. We, especially Mary, Tom & Pat and my family—Jim, myself and Janet had a special “cousin” relationship growing up because we lived just a few blocks apart. We spent much time together. I remember Mary baby sitting for Janet and me on Saturdays when my mom worked in Dad’s store. Pat and I, being very close in age, spent much time together, as did Jim & Tom. We all spent many Sunday afternoons at Grandma & Grandpa‘s, in the summer swimming at Terrace Park and other times just hanging out at their house, the adults playing pinochle or canasta and the kids playing Chinese checkers and other games. I’ve often regretted that my children didn‘t have that kind of a relationship with their cousins—it was a very special thing. Even today, when we get together with cousins, which isn‘t often, it’s very special. I cherish that part, and Tom’s part in it, of my childhood. I remember also with fondness the time we got together with you in Washington when we were visiting Jim & Ruth Ann. I wish we’d been able to do it more often.
I don’t know if you have a copy, but I’m sending one of the Christmas day “cousin” pictures taken at Grandma & Grandpa Eichman‘s in 1947.
Left to right are:
Pat with her Christmas doll, Mary holding cousin Ken, Jim holding Janet, cousin Jack holding his sister Sherry, and Tom with kind of a stranglehold on me. Many cousins (Victoria, Myrna, Marlys, Alisa, Kim, Kathy, Bobbee, Jodee, Dottie & Patrice yet to be born, but it’s an example of the closeness that our family had.
Christmas Day, 1947, At Grandma Eichman’s house