To Mike and Stacy Easterling

MIKE AND STACIE and the situation with Jim                9/13/99

Hi guys,

Sure was good to hear your voices last night.  And I’ve got to say again how much I admire each of you for your support of Jim over these last couple of months.  I know that it hasn’t been easy.  As we  know, Jim is basically a beautiful  guy when he’s  not drinking. But when he’s drinking he becomes another person altogether.  Knowing this, you still brought him into your home, gave him a job and you’re still offering your caring and support as much as you can. It’s touching to me that you would be so unselfish.  Of course as you know, only so much can be done for Jim.  Hopefully one of these days, he will understand that he cannot drink if he ever hopes to have any normalcy in his life not to mention any really satisfying relationships. Blessings on each of you for the way that you have opened your hearts to him.

Concerning the diagnosis about diabetes, I guess I couldn’t have been more surprised.  Each of you must still be in somewhat of a state of shock.  But as you mentioned Mike, the diagnosis could have been a lot worse.  Hopefully you have a mild strain of the stuff.  And even if you don’t, the medicines today for diabetes have become so good that people who were once having to alter their lives so much, are now able to carry on very normally.  Jeri and I will sure be  thinking about you over these next few weeks as the the diagnosis gets clarified and your diet gets regulated,  etc.  Hopefully you will still be able to eat Stacie’s famous mac and cheese and also  those jelly doughnuts which you love…with a little more moderation.

Concerning Ireland, what can I say?  For some reason Jeri and I have fallen in love with it.  I guess it’s a combination of the people, her history and the sheer beauty of most of the country.  If Ireland wasn’t so far from family, I think Jeri and I would consider retiring their someday.  But the fact is, it is too far.  After Jeri sifts through all our pictures, we’ll send some to you.

We definitely need to see you guys.  Any chance you could get up here for Christmas or New Years?  We could help you with part of your ticket expenses if you could come.  If you cannot pull it off, our plan will be to come to see you for several days next spring or summer.

Well, that’s it for now.  We miss you.  We’re proud of you.  We love you.