I can't believe this is the first email I'm writing you. I can't believe that I haven't spoken to you for 16 years now. It seems unbelievable tnot to have spoken to your own father for 16 years. Even though it's been so long I still have those moments where I think,"Oh, I'll have to tell Dad that joke!" and then I remember. Maybe it's because I don't think of you as really being gone, but you're just someplace else. Like I know that you know that I'm getting a Masters degree now, and I know you're proud of me. I think of you with Großmama and Großpapa and your brothers and sisters and I know you're all aware of me and that you know what's going on with me.

I wish I could talk to you about this paper I'm working on. I'm about half-way done with it and i'm stuck right at the fall of the Roman empire and just before the Dark Ages. I can't seem to write the transition. Could you give me a hand, Dad. I'll bet you've got a pithy quote or two up your sleeve or some deep insight that will get me over the hump here.

I should tell you that I'm taking an archiving class this summer and I'll get to poke around in the archives of a big local library. You'd love it. I might take that old, old 1622 book you left me and see what the archivist has to say about it. I emailed a few appraisers about it just to know how much to insure it for, but they couldn't have been less interested. You'd think that 400 year-old books were growing on trees.

Well, I really have to get back to this paper. Send me an idea or two, would you Dad? I know you've got just the right turn of phrase to get me into the Dark Ages. I love you and I miss you so much Dad. Give everyone a hug for me.

Dein dichliebende Tochter...

Tuenkat

Dear Gram:

Guess what? Today Pope Benedict is visiting the White House. They held a wonderful ceremony on the lawn of the White House with visitors from all walks of life as guests. You would have loved it! But, you are with God in heaven having a party every day! I miss you so much!!!

I'm doing my part to keep the family together. Bob helps out whenever he can. He is so good to the family. We are blessed to have him.

Aud and the kids are fine. Aud continues to struggle but she is way better than she was 2 years ago. I am here for her as her sounding board like you were. I don't do the job you did but I try my best. Somehow we are surviving. Nik is being taken care of too. She doesn't require much except her meals every day. I promise I will continue preparing all her meals and take care of all her needs. Bob helps me so much. He will be there too.

W&L just returned from a trip to visit the newest, state-of-the-art, accelerator in Switzerland. They were so excited and had a wonderful trip. B&B are doing fine also.

I miss you so much. There is no one on earth to take your place. I hope you found all your friends and relatives in heaven and are enjoying it to the max! Lord knows you deserve it!

I love you,
Wendy

P.S. Max misses your lap and especially YOU!

Hi Dickie,
I just heard you passed, you went without telling me....buggers. I was thinking about you so much this last Sunday.
Where were you??
I sending this to you, hope you get it...you are in heaven, right?? I don't have an email address for limbo, purgatory, or hell, I'm sure you're not there though.
I hope you didn't have any pain, and if you did you took massive drugs.
Hope Russ is doing okay, I'll drop him a note.
I'm sad you are gone, we always had such fun together.
Allyson sends her greetings too.
Keep in touch, however you can.
xoxo Lass

Hi Nonie,

Just wanted to say that I LOVE you so much!!
Thank you for everything yesterday... we all had a wonderful day... and thanks for the beautiful weather too.

Love you & think about you all of the time!!

Love always, little sausing