Thursday, October 9 Lilac Hill 9 P.M Darling mike - It seems like a dream that I (sorry!) Can write to you any thing I want without fear that I were indiscreet in any all way and you would never get it. Louisa just called, warned us been not to get our hopes too high but was obviously excited she could hardly talk. I've talked to her again, and she is deep in her letter too. The last time I could write like this was Sept 21, 1979 and I have your answer here beside me of Oct 2 saying "Tehran is very tranquil." What a - shattering experience it must have been and how you have found peace and strength through it all is what has kept us all going. l have copies of all your letters here, even the Xmas cards to the boys and your courage and serenity has mode us all better people - When Philip came he said "Nana, what is this? I never saw you so on the ball- its Like my mother --- she shines like a candle." (over) Page 2 I told him that with your example, we wanted to be always as you were thinking of us. When I told Louisa her eyes filled with tears but she laughed shakily "oh mum, he wont know us, will he?" But it has been hard and we have all helped each other, I think We read your letters over and over and have sent parts to the people high who really craved them - like Jack Crocker who called and said "I know were not supposed to write, but I must talk to my to ever boy" and I told him of course. We jealously guarded the correspondence according to your instructions so you would get our letters. We have written constantly, all the time- I'm afraid my long descriptions of our life up here and this strange, unreal, but to good summer may never have gotten to you but I hope the postcards and the Kodak did. We heard nothing from you after the "aborted attempt "for four months but but Richard Queen (the hostage sent home with multiple sclerosis) assured me that (over) Page 3 the mail was going in, although not yours out so we wouldn't know your whereabouts. However, he was sure and so is everybody else that you were all at the Embassy for guarding It purposes. So we have kept writing there. I don't suppose you got our packages- Mark's fine pillow, our clothes from Ellery Holmes? I could imagine you looking up and seeing the militants strutting around in your favorite lisle shirts! Navy and red, light green and white. Oh darling Mike, how can I show you the love and devotion of your family? I would think if you could only see them. The boys never went out for dinner, even it they joined their groups later, and I would look at those beautiful candle-lit faces, talking of you, laughing over experiences last summer. I noticed they always Say "Daddy" not Pop or Dad. Sandy and V here in July, Louisa and Masie- in August. What thrilled everyone was Mark. He is well, Mike, and gloriously well --gay, funny, intelligent, thoughtful of others, and working hard. He and Sandy become very close and his and night gave us a bang up concert of two guitars and song. When Sandy got back to Milan Aug 11 (V & kids moved to the Vitillis) he wrote Mark eleven pages of praise (Over) Page 4 and suggestions for study -listing old songs etc. Sandy also spent evenings Milan alone making a tape "for Lilac Hill -Especially Mark" Ending with his lovely "Homesick" (!) Mark has wowed audiences in Bar Harbor several times, and we gave a rectal here in in the barn which has become famous. In the barn, beautiful hot day, the big glass doors open showing the overflowing whiteness of the the South terrace with the white roses beyond. The boys (Wonderful Steve with his cello) against the fire place - a cocktail on the porch at 5, then 1/2 hour of music -- Bach, blues, their own compositions, Jazz - the audience wouldn't let them stop! I sent you Mrs. Fays letter- "the high point of the summer -those wonderful boys, the whole atmosphere." Then we cocktails again and the boys modest and charming being praised and petted. Andrew made a tape for you. I chose the list carefully -- Bill Wisters, Paul Nitzes, Margot Mitchell & Jack, the Le Pages, Brooke Astor, Barbara Bel Geddes two tow actor friends of Ag's the etc. They kept saying "They're so professional." Mark played tennis (Paul delighted with him) Sailed, climbed and as saw many friends. Having Louisa here was a little like Page 5 having a gentle, unobtrusive Eleanor Roosevelt. One mid-night, the phone lang "Mrs. Kennedy, this is B.B.C in London would you go right on, on our early radio show?" "Certainly — are you on?" "On" and she answered calmly, wisely off the cuff. The next night it was B.B.C Glasgow. One day ABC sent a plane up from Boston, she went - live on T.V and was sent back --all of us huddling around our set!! The most exciting was very early on (December) one of the first -- a coast to Coast with Barbara Walters, a double length interview. Suddenly, in her sadistic way, Walters said "Has I occurred to you Mrs. Kennedy, he may never come back? I nearly fainted thinking it would floor Louisa-- not at all-- Her cheeks flushed, her eyes blazed- "Barbara Walters, one of my ancestors signed the Declaration of Independence - another helped write it. My husband was soldier, he is as brave as any of them and whatever happens, I'll be proud, proud, Proud!! That made her famous. Petey in the students lounge at Cornell said all the kids roared and applauded. Brooke Astor repeats it constantly. Walters sent (over) Page 6 her a a crate of roses and wrote the studio reported it the biggest response Ever - at the same time she goes on working all day at the office, way comforting families etc. and selling real estate! She and I have never been closer. The only time she broke down to me, she said "Oh Mum, I've seen them all - president, secretary etc. and the only person in the world I want to see is Mike Kennedy." You will be very happy, darling, and perhaps all the more for your mutual suffering. Now I must stop or you will be exhausted It is a beautiful red and gold day full of blue sky and sunshine and Pop and I are going to take the lovely "little long pond walk at Seal Harbor. I must get to the early closing post office so excuse the blot at the beginning just happened I was so Excited! Mark was singing and cheering in the kitchen last night. So I copied this today -- and then spilled on it! Vase of red leaves. Talked to all the boys --they are fine. God bless you, my darling- when Pop and I said our usual prayers last night at last there was joy. I love you with all my heart. Mum