Sunday
Dear Doc,
My dear, Mr. Rounds, you should feel flattered. Tell me, how often do you receive letters (from females) written at 7:00 in the morning? It's a rare thing, Doc, let me assure you.
Jo having to go on duty shortly after seven couldn't tolerate my staying in bed until eight, at least had to drag me out of bed to go to breakfast with her. So I did! That accounts for the early morn correspondence. I don't have to be on duty until ten. However, I shall write until the time comes to go to church.
By the way, Doc, tell me your secret, where do you get the "inspiration" for such lengthy letters? They are very interesting and may I say, a welcome enjoyment? I shall try to respond fittingly, knowing I won't succeed.
Life at the Sanitorium continues to be as full and interesting as it was when I started. Before I comment further:
Say Mr. Rounds, what do you mean, the Anne Roberts of "old" didn't seem serious enough to become interested in mental disease? Thinking about myself as of last year, I guess I was pretty much of a dope. To be quite frank, I didn't know what I wanted to do. One thing I am very glad of and that is that I got out of Wolff and Marx. One deteriorated in that place. It takes all out of one and gives nothing but unpleasantness in return. Perhaps I shouldn't be bitter, we had our fun there. It makes me disgusted with myself to know I preferred that place instead of going to school which I would have been doing. Oh well, if I hadn't worked there I would have never met you which compensates greatly, huh!!
For god sakes, Doc, why do you continue studying subjects you don't enjoy and know you'll be unhappy doing. You talk like an old man, "gramps" what are you, all of twenty two? For heavens sakes, if you don't get any satisfaction out of "Management Fundamentals", "History of Insurance," "
How to be a good businessman" bla-bla- etc. Why are you studying it? Business fundamentals are for men who want to be big businessmen, and apparently you don't. Hell, Doc, if you want to study Psychology, go ahead and do it. More power to you. What I can't understand is why a person would want to go through life - day after day doing something he knew he honestly didn't want to do. Study Psychology as a "layman" can and can't be done. One has to come in contact with people who are mentally unstable in order to understand it fully. "That is my advice to you, Mr. Anthony"
By the way, I think you are quite wrong. Parents and loved ones of persons who suffer from mental illness feel no humiliation at all. From the cases I've come in contact with. They don't feel pity, God that is the last thing the patients need. As soon as people, everyone, realize that mental illness is not shameful, the better it will be for patients to orientate themselves in the "outside" or so called "normal world" after they are considered well. There is nothing disgraceful about mental illness. Anyone can suffer from mental illness. Must dash off to church now. Will continue later.
Bye!
Another perfectly beautiful day has ended and I shall try to complete this so called "letter."
I tried several times while on duty to write more, however that was impossible, not that today was considered a busy day but there are so many interruptions. Mrs. Leusdale wants to go for a walk. You see, most of the patients in our cottage cannot go out unless attended by a nurse. Which makes it fine and dandy when there are music lovers in the crowd. Tuesday I'm accompanying one of my patients to see Hamlet. Wonderful opportunity. Of course, it's all on the patient. I think this work is ideal. Say, Doc, if you really are interested in this type of work, why don't you do it during the summer months? When you are not going to school? There are numerous opportunities for "eager" young men. Or, are you no longer considered an "eager" young man.
My dear, Mr. Rounds, you flatter me greatly. I never dream of becoming a psychiatrist. I will be satisfied if I can be a damn good nurse. I trust you'll excuse the profanity.
Oh, Doc, you are so wrong. Mental suffering is such terrible suffering. I don't know what manics you have been going with, however, the ones I have seen and talked to (acute sufferers) They know "something" is wrong with them and they are miserable because they do not know what it is. The fact that they cannot realize reality. Oh, it is all so complex. I get so excited when I start thinking about it all. Is that normal?
We have a wonderful group of nurses living in our house. They are all rather elderly but very young in spirit. There are five of us living here. We are "waiting up" for one of the women who gets off duty at eleven for a good old beer party, with onion sandwiches and everything else that goes well with beer including numerous laughs. Oh, we had a grand time. I find I get along better with older women than I do the young. Guess it is because I can't tolerate frustrated females who are frustrated females because they know of nothing better to do.
I regret very greatly not ever going flying with you. Heavens man, why didn't you drag me? This summer we had the occasion to do a great deal of flying. Perhaps you remember my telling you about the girls camp we were at this summer. Well, the director's son, who was recently discharged from the Air Corps. He was a transport pilot in the Burma India Theater. Anyways, he had a piper cub with pontoons which offered many pleasant hours of flying. It is wonderful. By the way, my eagle friend, clarify said statement, please, Getting Checked out in a P51 Mustang may be a little more than I could handle which was just what I thought when I met you (only differently) Yee gads, what comparison! Never fear, Doc, you'll come through alright. I'll think of you Tuesday. Not that, that would make you feel anymore confident.
Incidentally, Doc, I was unable to decipher the Morse Code. Enlighten me, Mr. Rounds I'm interested. As you remember I was quite bad in code. - I just couldn't grasp it.
I know this is a very poor letter. Please forgive me, I shall try to do better next time.
As ever,
Anne
