February 15, 2000
Dear Linda,
I started to write one of my usual analyses of our relationship but decided that you have heard all of that before. Instead, it seems more appropriate to simply say that I love you and thank you for everything you do for me and others. It is exciting to live with you and to be a part of your life of service to others. I look forward to even more fun together as we continue our empty nest life phase. After that, who knows where it will go but it is sure to be enjoyable as long as it is with you.
Love,
Jack
February 18, 2003
Dear Linda,
At last, the note. As we have been moving around on this trip* I have been thinking how much our life and marriage has had the hallmarks of a good journey and how much I look forward to the next phase of that journey. We really do travel well together and I suggest that we consider another adventure away from the Twin Cities for at least 6 to 12 months. For instance, I renew my old suggestion that we might spend that amount of time in Italy learning the language and soaking up more of the culture.
Similarly, I would welcome joining you on a new job assignment in another city. Your choice, of course, as to where and when we go. I just see the change as a real kick all in itself. Once we make a decision on your plans I can then set about finding work that would be complementary.
All of this, as I say, like a trip where we experience some new places and new people. That has been a theme in our marriage and I hope we can continue it for the next 15 years.
Now that the Bemis development looks like it will not come through, that variation on a theme may be dormant – unless, of course, I just look around for a similar piece of property to develop and take that as a challenge for the next few years.
Whatever the case, I think it would be a good idea for me to really close down the legal practice.
Love,
Jack
*Trip to Norway (Feb 8-18, 2003) with the Hunters and Ranheims for the Minnesota Commissioning Club premiere by Bergen Quintet.
February 3, 2004
Dear Jack,
On the cusp of your birthday, a gateway to one level of official senior status, I toast you and the life you’ve given me.
My admiration and affection for you are warmer, more honest and sweeter than ever before. You are a dear person, of great character and honesty. You are never self-promotional, modest to a fault (too easily dismissive of praise!), and, as I‘ve said many times before, one of the few people I’ve ever met who truly wishes others well. You are a good person.
I appreciate all the support you gave me during my dozen years at the Forum. You never complained as I turned our social and home life upside down, and restructured it around composers and the fundraising to support them.
I’m also grateful that you asked me in Florida 2 years ago if I really wanted to continue doing ‘this’! – building my life – work, vacation, recreation – all around the Forum. I was so busy that I didn’t take the time to think about it until then. You gave me permission to stop and change. Thank you. And thank you for helping me make a signification contribution to our culture.
I now want to help you in your transition. You seem to be enjoying your work, and I want to not drive you to it, but gently support you. For the last years at the Forum I was concerned that you were becoming reluctant to even tell people what you did, but instead wanted to talk about what I did. Just as you’ve always wanted me to be strong and independent, but also stand on a pedestal so I want and need you to be the same.
I remember how Wendell Mordy wanted his time at the Science Museum to be the jewel in the crown of his career, but instead it became a bitter ending, and he became bitter.
Sometimes I think the Riverfront Corporation was the same for you. And although you didn’t become bitter, I think you lost confidence. Compounded with your mother’s health issues and Rudy’s theft, I saw you slide into a hole. I became worried about you, dear Jack. All of a sudden I realized I was married to a different person.
I now see you bursting or emerging, at least, into a more positive, joyful sphere. Perhaps one reason is the less frantic nature of our home life. Our pace is more mellow, due largely, I think, to the change in my situation. I like having the time to deal with the backlog of personal issues. Let’s continue to build on this kinder, gentler life.
Just as our life is on an improving trail, I beg you to stop thinking and talking doomfully. You have no idea how it makes your family fearful – me, Kristen and Fritz. Thirteen more years is not long enough for us or our children and grandchildren.
I married you for better and for worse, and don’t want you to forestall our time together. Please.
Jack, life has been such a wonderful adventure with you. It made me fall in love with you, and it keeps me wanting to read and see and learn more with you.
I love you dearly.
Linda
From: John Hoeschler [jghoeschler@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2004 11:05 PM
Subject: Life in the Wilderness
Dear Linda,
I am pleased to report that I made it through the entire day today in the face of Jungle quitting before noon because his knee was bothering him. The skiing is generally quite good even though they have not had any meaningful dumps of snow for the last three weeks. This area is more forest glade skiing than the big bowls they have in the Bugaboos and Caribous and therefore tougher. This morning we were looking for new, untracked areas but instead got into some very steep, wooded areas that were definitely tough to ski. In the afternoon we were able to get up higher and we had some good bowl skiing. I have been put in a slower group (with more rests) than the rest of the groups, but the three of us in that group are getting something of a private lesson and we are having to try to keep others out as they tire out.
With the help of a massage last night I had no real stiffness today and all went well. The helicopters are very good but you would not like the banking and altitude issues. This is clearly not a woman’s place (out of 50 people here, about 4 or 5 are women). The food is very good and the day starts with a stretching class at 6:30 am, breakfast at 7 and off to the hill at 8. We quit about 3:30-4 and go to the hot springs for about an hour. That is very nice. Dinner is at 7 and we are in bed by 9.
It sounds like we will not get to Spokane until about midnight Saturday, so I will no doubt be tired on Sunday when I get back. I miss you and look forward to seeing you then. You can send me an email at my Yahoo address.
Love,
Jack
From: John Hoeschler [jghoeschler@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2004 12:42 PM
Subject: Status
Dear Linda,
We are fogged in this morning and will not be able to get into the helicopters until after lunch. All remains well except that our slower group is attracting new applicants all the time. It seems that most of the jocks are concluding that it would be nice to stop and rest from time to time instead of trying to rack up the vertical feet. I have walked around the little town and all that one can say is that we are really in the wilderness. I miss you but you would not be happy here.
Love,
Jack
August 27, 2004
Dear Jack,
I offer my love, respect and tenderness to you on this day, our 38th anniversary. I cherish you deeply, more so than ever in our 42 years of knowing each other.
You continue to be one of the most open and generous people I have ever met and I continue to admire this in you. You do not stumble over the slights or hurts that affect me, although sometimes I wish you could empathize more with me!
I do hope you make an effort to be more physically tender with me. You know how much I love to be stroked and touched, and while I hold no illusion that you will become my masseuse, a little recognition of me in word and deed wouldn’t hurt!
I like where we are in our lives, with our ability to combine work and travel. I think we’ll be terrific grandparents and feel so lucky that we’ll have them nearby where we can help with and influence them. (And take them travelling and sight seeing – particularly with you as the best guide ever).
I’m relieved you’ve been talking less about ‘checking out, particularly now that we’ll be more needed in our children’s lives.
I remain tickled that we met at the Willard Hotel. I felt so lucky to meet you that day and I continue to feel blessed that you have been such a wonderful part of my life for so many years.
You are a truly great person and I love you so much.
With love,
Linda
January 1, 2005
(Libya)
Dear Boosey,
The ladies are all asking about you, and their praise of you reminds me of how lucky I am to have you. I miss you dearly and wish I could share the visits to the remarkable Roman sites with you. Tonight I am in Sousa near Cyrene where St. Mark and Simon hail. My room is on the sea, and I wish you were here to hold me.
Love,
Linda
June 11, 2005
Dearest Linda –
This is a doubly strange and strained parting to have you leave our mutual recuperation zone in Sweden and move to the University hospital for your spinal column surgery. This past week has emphasized the Jack Spratt qualities of our relationship in which each of us brings something different and the result is better for the fact.
Your ability to develop a close empathetic relationship with the range of our caregivers – from simple Aunt May to a sophisticate like Leif – is both marvelous to observe and instructive to watch since my interpersonal relationship with the staff are so much more vestigial. I hate to bother them and would rather solve a problem myself. My one sided reports to the staff as to my condition will certainly lack the nuances of color of our mutual reports.
If for no other reason, I will miss you for the next few days. The irony is that this hospital stay experience has not been pleasant because of the fact that it was a mutual experience.
(Incomplete and unsigned)
July 10, 2005
Dear Linda,
I have been thinking about how the trauma and healing period we have just gone through have reinforced some of the strengths of our love and relationship. In a left-handed sort of way, it is good we were both injured and able to help each other get through our respective problems. I believe it has reinforced the fact that we will need each other more as we age. Indeed, this may be one of the most attractive periods of a married couple’s life together. It makes me think of Vince and Mary and how they represent something of the Jack Spratt et ux model of success.
I really look forward to the coming years as we learn to help each other more. It is a good thing we are of similar ages so that we avoid the problems of ___. Each of us, with our similar or at least analogous frailties, can appreciate the needs of the other and more willingly help without feeling unfairly burdened. Likewise, we can approach travel and sex and avocational issues with similar outlooks.
I love you very much and admire your abilities greatly. I am always proud of what you are capable of doing as an opinion leader for both non-profit and for-profit enterprises. I look forward to watching what else you might want to do as we both move into the period of leisure/work cycle that Dychtwald has identified as a likely vocational desire of aging baby boomers. Keep up the good work and don’t worry about me too much.
Love,
Jack
June 2, 2006
Dear Linda,
It is appropriate that I write this on a Mother’s Day menu since I want to thank you for all the sustenance you have provided – to me, Gus and the rest of the family during this difficult year of recuperation. While I tend to plot stoically along, you are an absolute inspiration to both those who are halt and lame, as well as to your coaches, doctors and friends. It is amazing to see how you can empathize with people and not only bring out their deepest personal stories, but also inspire and guide them to health and recovery, both by your counsel as well as by your example. Clearly you should have been a physician.
I hope we are well and clearly over the worst of things and that you will be able to keep up with Bo’s tours in Sweden as well as lead the thank you’s for the medical caregivers. I look forward to this trip as a sort of remounting of the horse that threw you.
It is especially enjoyable to be able to experience all of this together with you. It was felicitous that the Swedes had us in the same hospital rooms and now I enjoy watching you use your optimism, enthusiasm and determination to blaze a path of inspirational recovery.
Keep up the good work. I love you.
Sincerely,
Jack
July 17, 2007
Dear Linda,
Happy birthday (a little early) and congratulations on the great job you have done in the cabin and the country experience for Jack the Lesser. It has been a good year and a pleasure to see how you have come to love the place again in spite of the hotel.
We all love your delightful parties and great food – even in gallon quantities. We also enjoy your hostess efforts as the Nona for Jack the Lesser. He really does make life worth living, well beyond the usual joys of the normal day.
I am pleased to see how well you are recovering, what with your religious attention to exercise. You show the rest of us – but not enough to cause us to do likewise.
Keep up the good work with K and Jack.
July 19, 2009
A Fresh View of Linda’s Contribution To a Very Nice Life
The visit today of the SALA crew provides another reminder of the really wonderful life-style you have carved out for us. It is not only comfortable and enlightened, it is also quite unique and a continual reminder of what a special person you are. The Japanese garden is truly a one-in-a-kind amenity that speaks to and about your supremely good taste.
At the same time, the presence of JO’B and his sophistication and personality reflects the very unusual training you (we) have been able to give him (along, of course, with his parents). I suspect that the visitors were quite taken with his self confidence and poise. These are both direct products of your creative musical training an entertainment of both JO’B and Will O’B. I will never cease to be amazed by your creative entertainment and wonderful training of the kids – your treasure hunt of the Art Institute is just one example; your personal songs are another.
I continue to look forward to more opportunities to join with you in the teaching of the boys and, you are correct, it really makes sticking around a worthwhile endeavor.
Best of all, you keep everything looking and being so sharp and special – if you were to die there is no doubt I would miss your sense of style first (but of course not alone). I look forward to many more years with you as we finish up our time and continue to make contributions wherever we can.
Love,
Jack