1920

An unexpected letter came in early August from Alice Weymouth.

"Dear Sherm: This news is not too good, but today's visit with Bud to the speech therapist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center confirms my impression that it's not as bad as it might be. Last Sunday, August 1, Bud suffered a slight (apparently) stroke, which resulted in partial aphasia he can speak but can't remember the names of things or people or use descriptive verbs. Also, his reading and writing ability is greatly impaired. The neurologist seemed quite optimistic about eventual recovery and did not order an immediate brain scan that's set for August 16. He did, however, arrange that speech therapy should begin this week and even before that I noticed some improvement.

"Bud seems to have suffered no paralysis although he's a bit unsteady on his pins. He is also uncharacteristically ill-tempered and brattish from frustration, of course. He has been staring at your picture with Ike in the New YorkTimes Magazine for several days saying, 'I know, but I can't say.' Then yesterday he suddenly said, 'Adams,' and then, 'Sherm,' and today he came with your name written, not too shakily, and made me understand that I should write you (which I was going to do anyway).

"Dear Bud up to now has been bringing forth the newsletters from a chaos of letters, clippings, etc. in his room which he never lets me touch and I have been interpreting his likewise chaotic typing into a readable copy. I can't find that he had made much progress on the September newsletter, but I think I can manage to get one out and then we'll see how much progress he has made before a Novemer one is due. The class notes for the ALUMNI MAGAZINE for September, fortunately, consist of reunion reports, and 1920 did not have a reunion. The material for the October issue is due September 1 and you may have some suggestions. Wouldn't a 'Letter from the President' be a good idea?

"For Bud's sake I'll do what I can to help over this crisis, but if his impairment proves to be of too long standing, the newsletter and secretary slots mayhave to be filled with new talent. Meanwhile, I'll try to figure out his filing system ( or lack of it) and if I find anything critical I'll let you know.

"Please take care of yourself. I have always thought that you and Bud, wiry Yankees of the old breed, would be the final survivors of the class. If we can get him through this, maybe you'll both make it. Sincerely, Alice W."

A letter from the source is better than anything I could otherwise report. I visited Bud and Alice on August 10 and subsequently received the following letter, written later the same day.

"Dear Sherm: If I had had my wits about me this afternoon, I should have remembered to give you the enclosed sheets of the paper on which the ALUMNI MAGAZINE wants its class notes submitted. If you really mean it about writing a 'President's Letter' and I'm sure you do that would be splendid for all concerned. I note that often one class or other will miss an issue, but of course '20 will always be represented!

"It was so kind (and characteristic) of you to come to see Bud so soon, and I'm sure it did him good. The booklet on aphasia which the therapist gave me stresses that it is good for patients to have contact with friends and kin.

"I think I mentioned in my earlier note that the deadline for copy for the October issue of the MAGAZINE is September 1. Time like an ever-rolling stream, etc!

"Thank you again for your thoughtfulness. I'll keep in touch with you and Hazel and try to keep Bud in line. Sincerely, Alice W."

Thus it is with Bud and Alice. Their minds are alert and brisk with planning ahead and coping with realities. Both are optimists, confident of their ability to adjust. Bud's declaration, "Give us a little time. We shall carry on," sums up their attitude. Since you all know them, you recognize that they are a spunky couple.

Sherman Adams '20

R.F.D. #1, Greensboro Road Lebanon, N.H. 03766